Gauges problem or something else?
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Trailering
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Gauges problem or something else?
Ok this just started happening yesterday. 97 4.6L was driving and I just happened to look at my dash cluster an noticed that the battery gauge went up to 18, the coolant gauge went all the way up and my oil gauge went down some and fuel gauge went to full and then went back to normal but the other 3 gauges stayed where they went to, the engine noise didnt change or sputter. Immediately pulled over turned off truck and started it up again, gauges went back to normal. Well today while driving the gauges did the same thing but after awhile they went back to normal. Any ideas? As to what would cause this? I’m pretty mechanically inclined but I’m stumped on this one.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,529
Likes: 2,658
From: Near Salt Lake City
You better see if you have an IVR bolted to the back of the cluster and replace it
The instrument voltage regulator causes your exact concern when they stick
A few taps on the gauge cluster bezel next time it happens will confirm this (if it acts normal afterwards)
The instrument voltage regulator causes your exact concern when they stick
A few taps on the gauge cluster bezel next time it happens will confirm this (if it acts normal afterwards)
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Florida
checked for codes the only code is a P0308. And said there was a problem with the charging system but ruled out the alternator. Any other thoughts?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 799
Likes: 13
From: East L.A.
F-150 instrument clusters develop some weird issues.
I have a 2001 that has has the check engine light that stays on almost all the time. It never shows any codes with a reader, and the code reader can't reset the light because there's no code to reset!
I have a 2001 that has has the check engine light that stays on almost all the time. It never shows any codes with a reader, and the code reader can't reset the light because there's no code to reset!
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,104
Likes: 384
From: Southern California
Voltage regulator....it's attached to the rear of the altenator
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Trailering
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Florida
found it luckily the parts store has it in stock so I’m heading there to get it now!
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,529
Likes: 2,658
From: Near Salt Lake City
I do not think there is a voltage reg on the back of his 1997 alternator
They have been internal since about 1993-94?
They have been internal since about 1993-94?
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Trailering
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Only if you call almost $90 inexpensive lol but it didn’t fix the problem gonna have to get a new cluster though. But I’m glad I changed it out I really don’t want to buy a new alternator they are well over $200 for one 😑
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Trailering
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Florida
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