Gauges go crazy on start-up...
09-01-2008, 07:19 PM
#1
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Gauges go crazy on start-up... Car is a '99 Trans Am, 6-speed.
At least half of the time I start my car (and getting more prevalent), the gauges all go crazy, then take their time settling back down. The RPMs hit redline, then go down to ~300, then settle at ~800. The speedometer hits ~120, then settles back down to zero.
The gas gauge and other gauges do similar "maximizes," then settle.
What the hell? I tried doing a search, but had no clue what to search for.
At least half of the time I start my car (and getting more prevalent), the gauges all go crazy, then take their time settling back down. The RPMs hit redline, then go down to ~300, then settle at ~800. The speedometer hits ~120, then settles back down to zero.
The gas gauge and other gauges do similar "maximizes," then settle.
What the hell? I tried doing a search, but had no clue what to search for.
09-01-2008, 07:39 PM
#3
Check the charging system (alternator, battery) That happens when you start the car with a weak battery. If you leave the car several days without using it consider disconnecting the battery.
09-01-2008, 09:32 PM
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my 99 has been doing it since i bought the car a year ago...i cleaned the battey terminals and what not...it stopped for a few months....i have asked this on here before...its something that they recalled on the 99's or somethin someone told me...GM issued a TBS years ago...its low voltage issue and a good battery fixes it i was told..but i have a new optima red top so i donno i wanna know how to solve this as well...does your trip odometer reset? mine does and it pisses me off
09-01-2008, 09:40 PM
#7
Mine's a 1999, thats why I knew about the low voltage/ weak battery issue but I think every car been cranked with a low voltage battery can have this issue too. These cars, as well as most modern ones, just eat up battery power due to all the electronic crap even when not running. I just installed a screw type cut off switch in the battery and I cut power off completely when the car sits in the garage for a few days. Mine is not a daily driver. The trip odometer resets itself but its not a big issue for me. With that solution I keep my battery flesh and starts right up without the gauge needle sweeping issue. Works for me!
BTW I also own a 2006 SRT8 Magnum and after seating for a week or two it also starts up quite weakly and does the same gauge needle sweeping dance! LOL!!
BTW I also own a 2006 SRT8 Magnum and after seating for a week or two it also starts up quite weakly and does the same gauge needle sweeping dance! LOL!!
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09-01-2008, 10:03 PM
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09-01-2008, 10:57 PM
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If your car cant sit for a couple days you have something wrong in the wiring system. These cars do use power but not that much. My car can sit for a month and start up just fine with just a cheapo battery. You have a power leak somewhere... Do you have any aftermarket alarms or stereo stuff, either that or a light is stating on somewhere. My first f-body did the same thing, you know when you turn the car off and dont open the doors the windows and stereo stays on for a bit, well that module wasn't working and the car was staying on..
09-02-2008, 05:38 PM
#13
If your car cant sit for a couple days you have something wrong in the wiring system. These cars do use power but not that much. My car can sit for a month and start up just fine with just a cheapo battery. You have a power leak somewhere... Do you have any aftermarket alarms or stereo stuff, either that or a light is stating on somewhere. My first f-body did the same thing, you know when you turn the car off and dont open the doors the windows and stereo stays on for a bit, well that module wasn't working and the car was staying on..
