Labors when starting. When turned over all lights and gauges go black, then back to normal

bad GM instrument cluster , take it to a qualified repair shop

try hold up the key while starting, shot in the dark. if it startes remove extra items off key ring

make sure that the coils, ( the ac radiator ) are clean , blow them out with an air hose if you can get a hold of one, also, make sure the ac fan is coming on, it may start , but the sensor may be bad allowing it to turn off too soon , a normal rise in heat is expected when using the AC but if it is too hot you should feel the motor start to run rough, if its running fine, and the temp does move back to normal when the ac is turned off, and a qualified mechanic has checked it, your probably ok, you could have a sensitive gauge, , If the normal range of the gauge moves to hot and back during normal driving without the ac on, that would show the thermostat is also working

yes 10 deg is correct
hope this helps FixYa
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try starting in neutral or shifting thru the gears while holding the key in the "start" position (keep your foot on the brake if you try this). Suspect your safety interlock/trans range switch has failed. Another possible reason is anti-theft system malfunction. Is your security light flashing?

Please see my tip at http://www.fixya.com/cars/r6222268-engine_doesnt_crank_turn_over . These are generic instructions. If you get stuck or need specific instructions for your car, please get back to me with model, year and engine info.

the first thing to try is turning the heater upto full heat(a/c off)if the temp guage goes down THEN CHANGE THE THERMOSTAT...(hot oil,if too hot, is thinner than the normal sae rating so the oil pressure will be lower.otherwise no real problem.

If the engine isn´t making any abnormal mechanical noises, then I would expect the oil pressure sending unit at fault.
If however the engine does make more or abnormal mechanical noises, it could be a too low oil pressure and this should be addressed immediately.

I would start with replacing your tranny fluid. black is no good. your tranny should hold about 7 qts of fluid. The tranny fluid runs through your radiator to help keep it cool. If your thermostat is stuck closed your eng coolant won't circulate and the coolant will get hotter inside your radiator. thus making your tranny fluid hotter and breaking it down. After time it will turn black from getting too hot. Let your car warm up to normal operating temperture then grab your upper radiator hose. It should be very warm. If not your thermostat is stuck closed.

bad altenater

Have you checked the instrument panel dimmer switch? It is in the center of the cluster, a black round stick. It also resets the trip meters...
Turn this, and the dash lights go dim, and then out. Or, you may have a blown panel fuse.