Gauges reset when driving
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Gauges reset when driving
Yesterday while driving all my dash gauges went dead for a few seconds then went to full scale for a second, and then worked normal. At the same time the radio died and came back on. This happen about 5 times during a 3 hour trip. 2002 F250 7.3l. Does any one have any thoughts?
Not a liberal...
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,635
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From: Cut & Shoot, Texas
I had a Dodge Ram (don't shoot me!) a few years ago that used to do almost the same thing. It had an added quirk though in that when the radio came back on the volume would go all the way up and stay there, you could not turn it down and when you shut the truck off the radio would still be on. You had to pull the battery cable. I sold it to a guy that I work with and he had the radio (factory) swapped out and he says it hasn't done it since.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,235
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From: Houston, Texas
On the 2002 and up models, this is a tell tale sign of weak batteries, an alternator that isn't charging, or all of the above.
Make sure your battery connections are nice and tight. If they are, head to autozone and they can test your alternator and batteries while in the truck. Just make sure that when they test them, that one of the two batteries are disconnected otherwise you'll get a false reading.
Make sure your battery connections are nice and tight. If they are, head to autozone and they can test your alternator and batteries while in the truck. Just make sure that when they test them, that one of the two batteries are disconnected otherwise you'll get a false reading.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Thanks Toreader_Diesel, I replaced the batteries about 2 months ago and the alternator about 5 months ago and when this happened I jumped out real quick and checked the alternator output and it was about 14VDC. I must have a corroded contact or something somewhere. All the connections are clean and tight, that was my first thought. I guess I'll just have to keep looking. Mine is a 2002 BTW...Thanks for the response...
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,287
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From: Fraser Valley
On the 2002 and up models, this is a tell tale sign of weak batteries, an alternator that isn't charging, or all of the above.
Make sure your battery connections are nice and tight. If they are, head to autozone and they can test your alternator and batteries while in the truck. Just make sure that when they test them, that one of the two batteries are disconnected otherwise you'll get a false reading.
Make sure your battery connections are nice and tight. If they are, head to autozone and they can test your alternator and batteries while in the truck. Just make sure that when they test them, that one of the two batteries are disconnected otherwise you'll get a false reading.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo.
Might check the ground connections at the frame as well- A loose ground could do this too-Take them loose & clean the eyelet terminal end & the frame.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,663
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From: Fallon,NV & Bainbridge OH
My '02 was doing this, kept getting worse. Finally got to the point trans temp gauge was not working at all and check engine and glow plug light stayed on. Asked on here, talked with several Ford techs I know and no one had an answer. Replaced the dash cluster from a truck yard and no problems since.
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