Hello All, I am new to the Monte Carlo forums.

My fiance' has a 2003 Monte Carlo LS, and the message center does not work, and the fuel guage seems to be inaccurate. There is no display of low fuel, trunk open, battery, security, change oil, nothing, in the message center. My question is, before I spend $150 on a reman instrument cluster, is there anything else that could cause a problem like this??

Also, there is no chime when the keys are in the ignition, nor when the headlights are left on. I'm not sure where to turn on this one, so was hoping that someone here could at least steer me in the right direction. I don't mind spending the cash if it will fix the problem, but don't want to just shoot into the wind.

The car does have an aftermarket stereo head unit, but the chime and the message center worked even after the installation of the stereo.

Thanks alot!

 

Did you install the correct harness for the aftermarket radio?

 

ON these cars, the chime runs through the radio system. If it worked after the radio install, you may want to inspect the harness, make sure how ever it is re-working the door chime (such as an independent speaker for the chime) is still connected and good.

 

Ok. As far as I can tell the correct harness was installed, however, she had this unit installed by local reputable radio shop before her and I were together. So, all I can tell you for sure is that she says everything worked after the install. So I thought about pulling it out and inspecting the harness, and maybe even reinstalling the factory unit to see if that helps. We have been together almost 3 yrs, and I think I can recall everything working when we met, but Im not completely sure. i am finally getting the time to try to figure this little gremlin out.

As far as the message center, any ideas there??

 

Well just an update. I did install the factory stereo back into the car and all the door chimes and headlamp chimes came back. BUT, still no message center, so I am thinking its time for a new cluster.

Any other ideas that would cause the message center not to work before i go spend the cash to get a new cluster?

 

My message center stopped working too, I just went with a new cluster. Sorry to say, that might be the only way to get it back.