Sporadic Trip odometer resets to 0 issue
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 533
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From: The 3rd world of SFV,California
Sporadic Trip odometer resets to 0 issue So every so often on initial start up my gauges do a full sweep and the short trip mileage resets itself to zero. It happens sporadicly wether it's been sitting over night or short drives. The car is stock except for suspension mods. I tried searching the forums but have yet to find others who have experience this issue.
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
I remember there being a specific issue with this on the '99 model year cluster, and it would usually be brought on by a slightly low voltage condition, but I seem to recall there being a deeper issue with the cluster that somehow made it overly sensitive to this condition. Regardless, I don't recall this issue carrying into the later years of this cluster, I don't think there was any specific issue with 2002. With that said, I would check the basics first - meaning battery post connections and perhaps a battery test (if it's not recently new).
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 533
Likes: 13
From: The 3rd world of SFV,California
Trip odometer resets itself issue Has anyone had an issue with the odometer sporadiclly resetting to zero upon start up? All the gauge needles do a full sweep when it happens when I start it up. Except for a few suspension mods the car is stock with a good battery and alternator. Is there a ground to the cluster?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 533
Likes: 13
From: The 3rd world of SFV,California
I remember there being a specific issue with this on the '99 model year cluster, and it would usually be brought on by a slightly low voltage condition, but I seem to recall there being a deeper issue with the cluster that somehow made it overly sensitive to this condition. Regardless, I don't recall this issue carrying into the later years of this cluster, I don't think there was any specific issue with 2002. With that said, I would check the basics first - meaning battery post connections and perhaps a battery test (if it's not recently new).
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,647
Likes: 2,574
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
It makes much more sense to be the '99, this is a known issue with these. I didn't own my '99 long enough to encounter this problem, so I'm not sure if there is a fix besides just replacing the cluster. But it's definitely a documented problem if you try a search for issues relating specifically to the '99/1999 cluster.
I've had my 1999 since 1999 
and never had a problem but this issue is definitely an interruption in power to the gauges.
When this happens, I would watch the voltmeter on the gauges. If it doesn't twitch, that would make me less confident in the gauge cluster, itself. (I would expect a power interruption from the battery, alternator, loose engine bay wire, etc. would also show with a flicker in the voltmeter gauge.)
If this is a problem in the cluster, I would bet its probably related to a cold solder joint issue - just like we see on many other components of the car. If one can find the spot where the issues is, the fix is pretty simple.
and never had a problem but this issue is definitely an interruption in power to the gauges.When this happens, I would watch the voltmeter on the gauges. If it doesn't twitch, that would make me less confident in the gauge cluster, itself. (I would expect a power interruption from the battery, alternator, loose engine bay wire, etc. would also show with a flicker in the voltmeter gauge.)
If this is a problem in the cluster, I would bet its probably related to a cold solder joint issue - just like we see on many other components of the car. If one can find the spot where the issues is, the fix is pretty simple.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,331
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
This is a classic sign of a failing battery. Many times a battery will hold enough charge to show good voltage at rest but be unable to handle the starting load. The sweeping gauge needles and the reset trip meter are sure signs of this.
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