What is going on?!?

[Kjz99z28]

Alright. The car's getting older.. and the little things are starting to, well, you know.

About a month ago, I went out and started my car one morning, and noticed that the gauges all pegged themselves, then went back to where they were supposed to, and my trip mileage reset. My stereo and stuff didn't reset though. It was the first morning the weather dropped below freezing.

I let it go for a while, cause I wasn't seeing it anymore. Then it got cold again, and it started doing this every morning it was cold. It only did it in the mornings though, after I'd let it sit for many hours.

I recently took it to a mechanic here who suggested putting in a new battery, so we did, and I'm still having the problem! Everything seems to be charging fine after it starts, and it always starts with no problems. Help?

[rbob93]

Was the battery fully charged before putting it into service?

[Mr. Luos]

It is a problem with the guage cluster.
The connections don't meet right when cold.

Mine used to do it as well...but hasn't done it since I had the computer pulled out 2 years ago (for the motor swap).

[Kjz99z28]

Was the battery fully charged before putting it into service?

I assume so..

I just know it's charging fine now.

[Kjz99z28]

It is a problem with the guage cluster.
The connections don't meet right when cold.

Mine used to do it as well...but hasn't done it since I had the computer pulled out 2 years ago (for the motor swap).

That sounds very possible..

How expensive a fix is that? Or is it something I really need to fix? (Aka.. will it cause more problems... or just be annoying)

[Mr. Luos]

Some have had issues, and others haven't.

The way to fix it is to replace the dash cluster.
Which from GM, isn't cheap.

Trip Odometer Resets to Zero (Exchange/Install Instrument Cluster) #99-08-49-009 - (Jul 23, 1999)
Trip Odometer Resets To Zero (Exchange/Install Instrument Cluster)
1999 Chevrolet Camaro

1999 Pontiac Firebird

Condition
Some customers may comment that the trip odometer resets to zero when starting the engine.

Cause
Ambient temperatures below 0° C (32° F), combined with low battery voltage, may cause the trip odometer memory to be erased when starting the vehicle.

Correction
To identify the instrument panel cluster part number, use the following procedure:

Install Tech 2 and from the main menu screen select F0: Diagnostics, press enter:
Select 1999, press enter.
Select Passenger Car, press enter.
Select F1: Body, press enter.
Select F, press enter.
Select the Proper nameplate, press enter.
Select the Engine, press enter.
Select F1: Instrument Panel Cluster, press enter.
Select F1: Data Display, press enter.
Select F0: Module Info. press enter.
The Tech 2 will now display the instrument panel cluster part number. If the part number is shown in the table below as the old part number, install a new part number exchange cluster which has had the new circuit board with the non-volatile memory chip installed. Order the cluster from your A/C Delco® Service Center. DO NOT ORDER A CLUSTER FROM GMSPO.

Parts Information
Vehicle
Old part number
New Part Number

Camaro
16232951
09380671

Camaro
16232941
09380651

Camaro
16232961
09380711

Camaro
16233011
09380691

Camaro
16233001
09380731

Firebird
16232952
09380692

Firebird
16232942
09380662

Firebird
16232932
09380652

[Kjz99z28]

Thanks! Is it a bad idea to just leave it if this is the problem? I mean I definitely want to fix it if it will cause other problems.. but if it's just something that's annoying, I could put up with it. For a while, anyway.

[Rick99TAWS6]

Had the same problem occur when my battery was on it's way out - went away when the battery was replaced, may also want to check the connections to the battery and clean them up if battery is ok

[Mr. Luos]

Thanks! Is it a bad idea to just leave it if this is the problem? I mean I definitely want to fix it if it will cause other problems.. but if it's just something that's annoying, I could put up with it. For a while, anyway.

I honestly don't know for sure.
I would call the dealership with that TSB number and ask the service counter that question. Might be able to help you better than I.