1995 Glt - no reverse or dash instruments

[auRum98]

Howdy guys,

I just picked up a 95 glt sedan. It has a few problems, but I got it for really cheap, so I think I can get it all straight and still be ok. It has 2 issues: it will not go into reverse, and all the dash instruments are dead. The previous owner said these problems developed simultaneously. Is there a possible connection? Does anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks!

[MadeInJapan]

Welcome to MVS.
It is very hard to know where to start with the problems your car is having. You need to have your codes read so you'll have somewhere to start in figuring this out.

[auRum98]

The '95 has an OBD-II port, and I read it with a scan tool, but there were no codes. Might I have to take it to a dealer?

Thanks for the reply!

[MadeInJapan]

Your car also has the under-the-hood diagnostic boxes. I have heard others with the "dual" scan option getting more information and better codes for diagnostics from under the hood. Try that and post back whether you got any codes or not and if you did, what specifically those codes were. Otherwise, it will most likely be a wild goose chase for corroded wires, bad ground straps and the like. However, that said, the "not going into reverse" certainly sounds like either a bad transmission or bad PNP switch. Not to have the dash lights here is a real bummer because the usual PNP misbehavior is the "up arrow" illuminating on the dash. Wonder if the previous owner attempted to "jump-start" the car and reversed the positive and negative wires? I've heard of strange electrical anomalies after such a screw up...and it would explain things breaking simultaneously. You will need your radio code to reset it if you do this, but you might try disconnecting your battery for 15~20 minutes and see if this might restore some of the dash's functionality.

Post back as we'll keep trying to help you get to the bottom of this.