Instrument malfunction
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Elder User
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From: Where they take the census by counting the appliances on the front porch and multiplying by five
Instrument malfunction
Hey guys,
I've finally got my '83 F-150 running right and now the guages want to act up.
When I first crank it up in the mornings, the fuel guage gives a "high" reading. Other guages are fine. After driving it a little ways, the fuel guage will "settle" to where it should be according to how much fuel I know I have in the tank.
Then, with no warning, all the guages (fuel, water temp, oil press. specifically) will read higher than normal. Sometimes they come back down, sometimes they don't. It pretty much does this regular now.
I did watch the last time I filled the tank completely. When I cranked the truck and the fuel guage was heading toward the full mark it seemed to "hang up" for a millisecond and then continued on up. It was enough to make the needle bounce.
But what about the other two guages?
This kinda seems like a ground problem to me.
Whaddya you guys think? Where do I start?
All help appreciated!
Chuck
I've finally got my '83 F-150 running right and now the guages want to act up.
When I first crank it up in the mornings, the fuel guage gives a "high" reading. Other guages are fine. After driving it a little ways, the fuel guage will "settle" to where it should be according to how much fuel I know I have in the tank.
Then, with no warning, all the guages (fuel, water temp, oil press. specifically) will read higher than normal. Sometimes they come back down, sometimes they don't. It pretty much does this regular now.
I did watch the last time I filled the tank completely. When I cranked the truck and the fuel guage was heading toward the full mark it seemed to "hang up" for a millisecond and then continued on up. It was enough to make the needle bounce.
But what about the other two guages?
This kinda seems like a ground problem to me.
Whaddya you guys think? Where do I start?
All help appreciated!
Chuck
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,949
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
Instrument malfunction
It could be a ground. Or it might be the guage voltage regulator mounted on the back of the instrument cluster that regulates the voltage to the guages.
Here it is
Here it is
Last edited by Franklin2; Apr 1, 2003 at 08:35 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Instrument malfunction
The "voltage regulator" is actually just a breaker, like the turn signal & hazard flasher units. It puts power to the circuit for a moment, then cuts it off, then comes back on. That's why you have the jump, then the pause, then another jump. The gauges themselves are just thermometers with a heater wire wrapped around them - as current flows thru their respective senders, the wire heats up, causing the needle to bend.
I agree that the VR is probably the cause.
I agree that the VR is probably the cause.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Where they take the census by counting the appliances on the front porch and multiplying by five
Instrument malfunction
Thanks guys!
I'll check it out this weekend!
Dave, I'm gettin' 12 mpg!!!! YEEEEHHHHAAAA!
Thanks again,
Chuck
I'll check it out this weekend!
Dave, I'm gettin' 12 mpg!!!! YEEEEHHHHAAAA!
Thanks again,
Chuck
New User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Instrument malfunction
I can speak from experience. I had an F100, rebuilt the whole truck and worked on the instruments for weeks. Come to find out, the ground strip from the firewall to the block was not making contact. I went further and made another ground to the frame/firewall. I hope this helps.
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