gauges sweep after starter installation
10-27-2010, 01:08 PM
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gauges sweep after starter installation I have a 99Z, after I installed a new starter, the gauges started sweeping, but not every time. Resets the trip odometer.
Anyways, I hear it could be a dying battery. So I tested it out, and it has charge and is clean. I guess I didn't test to see if it can "hold charge" but if it has 12.5 volts without even starting the car, and goes up after starting it, i can't imagine that the battery is the problem. The last time i replaced the battery and alternator were 2 or 3 years ago max.
can it be my starter? it has both wires going to it, plus the solenoid wire. I think that's normal...
Just FYI, if your wondering why i changed the starter in the first place, it was because every once in a while the car wouldn't start, only turn over. But it would always work on the second attempt. It hasn't done that since I've replaced the starter.
Anyways, I hear it could be a dying battery. So I tested it out, and it has charge and is clean. I guess I didn't test to see if it can "hold charge" but if it has 12.5 volts without even starting the car, and goes up after starting it, i can't imagine that the battery is the problem. The last time i replaced the battery and alternator were 2 or 3 years ago max.
can it be my starter? it has both wires going to it, plus the solenoid wire. I think that's normal...
Just FYI, if your wondering why i changed the starter in the first place, it was because every once in a while the car wouldn't start, only turn over. But it would always work on the second attempt. It hasn't done that since I've replaced the starter.
10-27-2010, 04:52 PM
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I didn't have sweeping gauges when my alternator died. I remember it, the volt meter on the dash didn't budge when I turned the car on and all electronic things dimmed. I don't have any of that this time
10-28-2010, 12:16 AM
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Alternator seems to be ok, fires up strong. friend suggested one of the ground wires are loose. This can be a long battle finding which one...
In another post i read that there is a ground wire by the driver side engine head i can check?
In another post i read that there is a ground wire by the driver side engine head i can check?
10-28-2010, 12:45 AM
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There is a GM service bulletin regarding this(99-08-49-009)Trip Odometer Resets to Zero. I have also seen where the needles do a full sweep when the igniton it is turned on to the run positon and/or started.
Last edited by 99huggerorangeZ; 11-12-2010 at 12:06 AM.
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10-28-2010, 01:14 PM
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i thought i heard the gauge sweep and odometer reset was due to a voltage drop, at least that's one of the main reasons.
even if your battery has 12.5 volts, if it's weak and even it does have enough capacity to turn the starter and spin the engine over at a decent rate, the system voltage can still drop low enough to cause the gauge sweep and reset. so it can still be caused by the battery. if it's happening all the time, even after the car's been running for 20+ minutes and your restarting < 5 minutes from shutdown then i would be inclined to think it is not the battery. But if it happens every morning or after the car has been sitting a while then that's pointing more towards battery, and what you can do to check instead of buying a new battery is hook up a charger prior to starting and have it on high or boost mode and voltage should stay above 12 when starting, if the gauges don't sweep then you know it's weak battery.
even if your battery has 12.5 volts, if it's weak and even it does have enough capacity to turn the starter and spin the engine over at a decent rate, the system voltage can still drop low enough to cause the gauge sweep and reset. so it can still be caused by the battery. if it's happening all the time, even after the car's been running for 20+ minutes and your restarting < 5 minutes from shutdown then i would be inclined to think it is not the battery. But if it happens every morning or after the car has been sitting a while then that's pointing more towards battery, and what you can do to check instead of buying a new battery is hook up a charger prior to starting and have it on high or boost mode and voltage should stay above 12 when starting, if the gauges don't sweep then you know it's weak battery.
10-28-2010, 06:20 PM
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I had the same symptoms. My battery did eventually go dead with no other warning. New battery and it has never happened since.
Last edited by GR8RYD; 10-28-2010 at 06:21 PM. Reason: Added information
10-29-2010, 10:23 AM
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You've got a good point 1FMF, it's not completely random, it happens in the morning, but rarely after it's been running for a while and then shutdown and restart... We're going into the winter, I'll just change it and call it a day.
10-29-2010, 10:52 AM
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11-11-2010, 10:57 PM
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Was happening to me.. was just a loose battery terminal connection. Because it happened after you installed your starter I'd think it's the connection to the battery.
