1999 SL Dash Gages Flicker Off Then Back On
 

The tachometer and speedometer on my 1999 Saturn SL has started flickering off, remaining non-responsive, and then bouncing back into service while driving. The brake and low fuel light come on and the odometer light goes off. The fuel and temperature gauges remain unaffected. The on again, off again nature seems to be saying that some connection is in contact then not and the contact again.

I first became aware of a problem when I tried to start the car yesterday. The night before a neighbor said she had seen my driver's door open slightly and closed it. I jumped the battery and let the car run for about a half an hour. Turned it off and when I went to start it again I turned the key and the clock stopped displaying and the battery seemed dead again. I do have problems with the key turning smoothly and will only work in one of the two ways the key is inserted into the lock. Once I jumped it again and while driving it I noticed the dash gages problem.

None of this seems to affect the operation of the car's motor, but I am hesitant to drive the car. Checked for OBD codes and none were stored.

If your vehicle is drivable, visit AutoZone or similar and have them do a free load test on your charging system.

Sounds to me like a bad battery.
The clock read out disappearing is a classic sign that the battery is not supplying enough current to keep the interior electronics powered while also turning over the engine.

I agree with derf. As for the ignition key issue, I'd see if getting a new key cut would help that.

The guage issue seems to have cleared up on its own. I took the Saturn for a drive under the same conditions and no problems. If I had to guess, the battery wasn't fully charged before. Feel kinda foolish for having made this post. Never expected something like this failure, before now. I rewired my first car, a 1949 Dodge puck-up, using a Hupmobile wiring diagram and a knife switch for the on/off switch. This is a place that fulfills the promise of the Internet. As always, thank you.

Well, the magical mystery cure was gone by the next drive and it was off the auto store for a new battery.

Roll up
Roll up for the mystery cure
Roll up
Roll up for the mystery cure
Roll up
We have nothing that you need
Roll up for the mystery cure
Roll up
Dissatisfaction guaranteed
Roll up for the mystery cure
The magical mystery cure
Was given and taken away
Given and taken away
battery today

LOL, nice one.