Gauge malfuntions.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 100
Likes: 2
From: 6 feet under
Gauge malfuntions.
My 1989 F-350 Crew Cab 4x4, with a N/A 7.3l is having problems. The gauges (engine temp, fuel and engine idiot light) at idle, are maxed out. When I accelerate, the temp gauge goes down and the engine idiot light goes out (I realize they are connected) however, the fuel gauge remains pegged. Once I reach speed (let off the pedal to maintain correct speed) the Temp gauge pegs again. Every time I push the throttle down the gauge goes down, and I do mean every time.
Even though I replaced the alternator and the regulator with most of the wires between them, the alt gauge only reads about 10 volts. I have verified that the alt is pushing 13.99 volts when cold and 12.5 when warm (even with all lights, heater and wipers going the voltage remains rock solid at 12.5v.
I am still having problems with my glow plug heater solenoid, when you turn the key to on to heat the plugs it cycles quickly, not like any other I have heard. I tested it and power goes to everything but the plugs. I am thinking it is the control unit under it, but I am unsure if this would cause the other problems I am having.
Help would be appreciated, and the eletrical schmatics in the Chiltions SUCKS!
Even though I replaced the alternator and the regulator with most of the wires between them, the alt gauge only reads about 10 volts. I have verified that the alt is pushing 13.99 volts when cold and 12.5 when warm (even with all lights, heater and wipers going the voltage remains rock solid at 12.5v.
I am still having problems with my glow plug heater solenoid, when you turn the key to on to heat the plugs it cycles quickly, not like any other I have heard. I tested it and power goes to everything but the plugs. I am thinking it is the control unit under it, but I am unsure if this would cause the other problems I am having.
Help would be appreciated, and the eletrical schmatics in the Chiltions SUCKS!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Not sure if the 89 still had it, but on my 86 there is a voltage regulator mounted on the back of the instrument cluster. Sounds like yours may be dying.
Have you checked the glow plugs to see if some are burnt out?
One or two bad plugs will cause problems like you are describing with the fast cycling of the relay.
Have you checked the glow plugs to see if some are burnt out?
One or two bad plugs will cause problems like you are describing with the fast cycling of the relay.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Ladner, British Columbia
Often when that many things go wrong at once you are dealing with a ground problem. Check your engine to body ground strap. Battery ground, instrument cluster ground, etc..... just thinking outloud here....
It is unlikely all the gauge would go heywire at once like that.
Seb.....
It is unlikely all the gauge would go heywire at once like that.
Seb.....
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 100
Likes: 2
From: 6 feet under
All grounds are inplace and in good shape.
I checked the instrument cluster and replaced the circut board with one from my 88 (worked fine when it was parked) and still have the same problems.
Still need to chect the glow plugs, but I reall don't think that is it as there is no power comeing out of the silinoid on the glow plug side.
I checked the instrument cluster and replaced the circut board with one from my 88 (worked fine when it was parked) and still have the same problems.
Still need to chect the glow plugs, but I reall don't think that is it as there is no power comeing out of the silinoid on the glow plug side.
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