I went to my mechanic with an intermediate 'check gauge' light on, thinking it was like a 'check engine' with computer readings. It's not related at all, rather it indicates there is something going on with my gas tank float/gauge mechanism inside the gastank. He told me the cause was because I never let my fuel get below 1/2 tank. Here's the deal: when I fill the tank and I give full throttle, the 'check gauge' light goes on and then goes off. When I go below 1/2 tank and give full throttle, the 'CG' does not go on at all. Also, I've lost 1/2 of my dash lights since this 1st started to happen about a year ago. Bought the truck brand new, 2003 3.0, 5speed manual, 72K. Any thoughts before I take it to the dealer as per my mechanic?

 

What does your owners manual say about that warning light?

 

Sounds like he hasn't read that yet...but he should.

 

To save yourself some money, why not try a few things first!!!!

There are instructions in the "Tech Info" thread, atop this forums thread listing page, on how to replace the dash lights. So why pay $80/hr, or what ever the going rate is in your area, to have a Tech waste his time doing something we can do for ourselves, with a few minutes of effort????

If we don't turn the dash lights up to Full brightness with the dash dimmer control at night, they'll last longer.

On the fuel gauge, you may have a problem with corrosion on the in tank fuel sender, from having used high sulphur fuel.
Chevron claims their Techron Concenrate Plus will remove this corrosion & wake up the sending unit. You'll want to add the 20oz size at the pump before filling up, so you get the right treat ratio & good mixing.

If that dosn't do it, maybe you have a mechanical problem with the float, or sender, or maybe the under dash slosh module, that dampens the fuel gauge meter movement, has a problem.

With the dash lights burning out, maybe your having some alternator voltage regulator problems. If you think that might be a possibility, run this puppy by your favorite autoparts store for a no cost, in vehicle electrical system check up, via their portable electrical system tester.

The "Check Gauge" lamp is to call our attention to the dash gauges, as the computer has detected one is readng out of tolerance. So if one is showing low oil pressure, over heating, no alternator output, or that we're about to run out of gas, the folks that never scan their instrument panel, get a visual warning, that something is amiss.

Anyway these are some things you can try that might save you some gold!!!!

Let us know how it goes.