Everytime i turn on my 1999 firehawk trans am, the computer resets, the gauges do their flippy thing, and the trip odometer is set back to zero. the car is completely stock and i dont know anything about pcms. any advice?

 

Check you running/standing voltage + all major battery connections.

 

Check battery voltage/have it load tested. It's a '99 thing, GM issued a TSB on it to replace the gauge cluster but a good battery makes it go away. I'll post the TSB number if you need it.

 

Here is a TSB on the '99s only:
Document ID# 630287
1999 Pontiac Firebird


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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


Parts are currently available from an authorized AC-Delco® Service Center.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor operation
Description
Hours

N4180
Instrument Panel Cluster R&R
0.4




GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
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© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


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Document ID# 630287
1999 Pontiac Firebird

So, since I doubt the ambient has been below freezing, I think low battery voltage is a good place to start.But it might be in the cluster.

 

Oops! Too late!