Instrument Cluster gone crazy
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Instrument Cluster gone crazy This little gem started on Sunday to the best of my knowledge. I know it wasn't happening on Saturday when i was at AutoX.
Anyway, first screwy thing was the battery level gauge showing about 10 volts (a bit into the yellow). This was worrying, but on Sunday after about 15 minutes of driving it went back up to the normal ~14 volts.
Now it is back to saying 10 volts, but my multimeter tells me it's 12.7V with the car OFF, and 11.7V with the car ON. Also, I noticed just now that when I start the car, the other instruments seem fine for a moment, but then the Fuel gauge zips down to E, the Speedo jumps to 150mph, and the Tach redlines... but they immediately go back to their normal values. The battery gauge has said 10v the entire time.
It should be noted that the engine is not in fact redlining and the car is stationary.
I replaced the alternator 2 months ago, so I checked to make sure the belt was ok and it seems fine.
Would a slightly low battery cause such problems? If I have not been specific enough, please let me know.
Anyway, first screwy thing was the battery level gauge showing about 10 volts (a bit into the yellow). This was worrying, but on Sunday after about 15 minutes of driving it went back up to the normal ~14 volts.
Now it is back to saying 10 volts, but my multimeter tells me it's 12.7V with the car OFF, and 11.7V with the car ON. Also, I noticed just now that when I start the car, the other instruments seem fine for a moment, but then the Fuel gauge zips down to E, the Speedo jumps to 150mph, and the Tach redlines... but they immediately go back to their normal values. The battery gauge has said 10v the entire time.
It should be noted that the engine is not in fact redlining and the car is stationary.
I replaced the alternator 2 months ago, so I checked to make sure the belt was ok and it seems fine.
Would a slightly low battery cause such problems? If I have not been specific enough, please let me know.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,399
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville, FL
Low battery voltage/cooler temps can cause the gauges to sweep on startup, especially on '99 models - is the trip resetting to zero also? If so, there's a TSB on it. Usually installing a good battery will take care of it. 10V on the gauge is too low, and 11.7 with car on is too low too IMO. I'd bring the battery somewhere and have it load tested, if for no other reason just to eliminate it as being the problem. New GM alternator, or one of those rebuilt ones from a parts store?
i had a problem similar to this and it was the battery, wouldnt hold a constant charge. you would be suprised what i screwy battery can make these cars do, get it checked, i bet thats the problem
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Yes the Trip was reseting.
So one of the cells was faulty. Replaced battery and it holds a very good charge when I'm driving, but when I stop, it very slowly drops to ~13. Is that normal for a new battery? I've never had a new battery before.
So one of the cells was faulty. Replaced battery and it holds a very good charge when I'm driving, but when I stop, it very slowly drops to ~13. Is that normal for a new battery? I've never had a new battery before.
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