Check Gauges light on, all gauges reading fine wtf
12-30-2012, 04:29 PM
#1
Staging Lane
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Check Gauges light on, all gauges reading fine wtf 2001 Fbody drivetrain including gauge cluster in a 93 rx7. This setup has worked flawlessly for over 4 years. Been having alternator issues for a few months, replaced several, and also wired direct with a resistor to eliminate PCM control. It is currently wired for both, the PCM controls it, and if that circuit fails, I have a backup circuit with the resistor in place. After wiring it this way, the check gauges stays illuminated. I thought maybe it was due to both being in place, so I tried pulling the fuse in the circuit with the resistor and the light stays on. So then I went ahead and pulled the connector with the exciter wire off the alternator completely and the light goes away. Not really making any sense to me. I tried searching "check gauges" and nothing in the results looked like it would help. Anyone have any ideas?
12-30-2012, 06:40 PM
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Staging Lane
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Yeah when it first came on, I was at a 1/4 tank, and although it usually doesn't come on until I'm a little less than an 1/8 I went ahead and filled up and it didn't change anything. Again remember, when I unplug the exciter wire to the alternator the light goes out.
01-03-2013, 10:35 AM
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Staging Lane
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Voltage is well over 13 when cold, calms down to just under 13 after warm. The gauge reads a little low according to a volt meter. All other gauges are reading in normal ranges. Temp around 205, fuel is currently full, and oil pressure between 60-80.
01-03-2013, 03:51 PM
#6
Did you change the exciter wire plug at all? If the wire is on the wrong terminal on the alternator, weird things could happen...
I was just reading the tech specs on the stock alternator and those unused pins on the exciter wire plug are actually live on the alternator. (The car's PCM just doesn't take advantage of them.)
I was just reading the tech specs on the stock alternator and those unused pins on the exciter wire plug are actually live on the alternator. (The car's PCM just doesn't take advantage of them.)
01-04-2013, 02:28 PM
#7
Staging Lane
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Yes we did change the plug as a precaution. I haven't verified myself that it is at the correct pin, just going on my father-in-laws word that he did it correctly. I will try to verify this.
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01-05-2013, 11:52 AM
#8
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Do the ECM/BCM use the same signal wire as the gauge? Hook a scan tool up and check voltage through the computer and verify it is the same as what the gauge is displaying.
01-10-2013, 02:44 PM
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Staging Lane
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The pin for the exciter is the same as it was before so that shouldn't be the problem. The PCM voltage is reading in sync with the gauge, and you can't buy new anymore, they are all remanufactured.
01-12-2013, 07:29 PM
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Basically if the PCM decides to not excite the wire to the alternator, which I was told by my dad (mechanic) has been a problem with my particular car, he has a separate 12v source with the 470ohm resistor in it going into the same wire. It's fused though, and I have pulled the fuse to eliminate it and the check gauges light remains on.
01-13-2013, 06:06 PM
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Yep positive. Check engine is actually service engine soon and it's amber, this is check Gages which is spelled wrong but that's how it is in the cluster and it lights up in red.
01-20-2013, 05:26 PM
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Just remember, all I have to do is unplug the pigtail from the alternator and the light goes out. But then the alternator doesn't charge. I'm about to the point where I will just get a damn self exciting regulator installed into the alternator so I don't have any wires going to it. It's just weird that its been wired this way for awhile and the issue is new.