Possible electrical problem?
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Joined: Nov 2002
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Possible electrical problem?
I was wondering if someone could suggest somethings to check on my 85 F-150 straight six because of the weard electrical problem thats been happening. When I'm driving down the road, at random times I've noticed my instruments acting crazy, my fuel, oil and water guages all start going up to around the 3/4 mark and stay there for a few seconds then they all come back down. I have no clue what is causing this or if this could turn into to something a little more severe,any and all all suggestions on what to check will greatly be appreciated....Also when this occurs the truck doesnt run bad or anything.
Thanks Barry
Thanks Barry
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Possible electrical problem?
The gauges are TOTALLY independent of the engine's electronics, so don't worry about that.
Check your dash ground & the instrument cluster voltage regulator. The VR is riveted to the film circuit on the back of the cluster, but you'll have to check a Haynes wiring diagram to locate the ground.
Check your dash ground & the instrument cluster voltage regulator. The VR is riveted to the film circuit on the back of the cluster, but you'll have to check a Haynes wiring diagram to locate the ground.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
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From: The Big, Oregon
Possible electrical problem?
Your gauges are posessed 
I'd follow the recomendation that you check the grounds, also check the connector for the instruments. Sometimes just unplugging and plugging it in fixes it.
Jared
I'd follow the recomendation that you check the grounds, also check the connector for the instruments. Sometimes just unplugging and plugging it in fixes it.
Jared
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Possible electrical problem?
This comes from some help I got last year. I am wondering if the ignition swich is getting worn and may be wiggling into the start zone, not far enought to engage the starter, but enough to light up all the gauges, dash lights, etc. Next time it happens try jiggling the key counterclockwise slightly--not much as you don't want to cut it out on the road. Perhaps best tried in a no traffic situation.
INLINE SIX POWER!
'95 F150 XL
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INLINE SIX POWER!
'95 F150 XL300 Cubic Inches of Low RPM Truck Torque! And twin-I-beams too!
"Drive a stick young man! There'll be time for automatics when you're old and unable."
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Possible electrical problem?
Thanks TallPaul
A couple years back a friend of my father in law replaced the keyswitch for me. I had told him that I had noticed the guages acting funny.He had been a tech for ford for years and told me that ford had done a recall on the switches,so he done it for me for free.So I'm not sure if the switch was the problem or if its something else. I havent had time yet to check out the above since I've been working 12 hrs days will check it out soon when I get off.
Again thanks for the info..
I'm kinda tall too paul, I'm 6'6 1/2" myself.
A couple years back a friend of my father in law replaced the keyswitch for me. I had told him that I had noticed the guages acting funny.He had been a tech for ford for years and told me that ford had done a recall on the switches,so he done it for me for free.So I'm not sure if the switch was the problem or if its something else. I havent had time yet to check out the above since I've been working 12 hrs days will check it out soon when I get off.
Again thanks for the info..
I'm kinda tall too paul, I'm 6'6 1/2" myself.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Possible electrical problem?
>I'm kinda tall too paul, I'm 6'6 1/2" myself.
Actually I am about 6'1". I got the name when another Paul was hired and he was 5'1". So the boss said, you're Tall Paul and you are Small Paul. The names stuck. When I signed up I couldn't think of a name and was in a hurry to get on, so there it went.
Actually I am about 6'1". I got the name when another Paul was hired and he was 5'1". So the boss said, you're Tall Paul and you are Small Paul. The names stuck. When I signed up I couldn't think of a name and was in a hurry to get on, so there it went.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: redding U.S.A.
Possible electrical problem?
haha.
I would say its a lose ground somewhere. Sounds like its wigglin or something.
Ignition switch is a good idea.
TallPaul-
how do you always come up with such simple, yet brilliant, "why didn't i think of that" ideas??
I would say its a lose ground somewhere. Sounds like its wigglin or something.
Ignition switch is a good idea.
TallPaul-
how do you always come up with such simple, yet brilliant, "why didn't i think of that" ideas??
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Possible electrical problem?
>TallPaul-
>how do you always come up with such simple, yet brilliant,
>"why didn't i think of that" ideas??
Someone solved this one for me on my wife's Aerostar. So I guess I know a lot of things that might help someone else because of my use of this site. My over 2400 posts means I have read a lot of other people's problems and solutions here and often I remember something and throw it back out when I see someone else having a problem.
As for my coming up with great ideas, I once trying very hard to solve a simple problem and my seven-year-old son said, who had been watching me said, "Dad , why don't you just ...," and sure enough he had a simple solution that worked. Saved me a lot of time. I had been sure I knew the best way to do it and hadn't taken the time to scope out the possibilities.
>how do you always come up with such simple, yet brilliant,
>"why didn't i think of that" ideas??
Someone solved this one for me on my wife's Aerostar. So I guess I know a lot of things that might help someone else because of my use of this site. My over 2400 posts means I have read a lot of other people's problems and solutions here and often I remember something and throw it back out when I see someone else having a problem.
As for my coming up with great ideas, I once trying very hard to solve a simple problem and my seven-year-old son said, who had been watching me said, "Dad , why don't you just ...," and sure enough he had a simple solution that worked. Saved me a lot of time. I had been sure I knew the best way to do it and hadn't taken the time to scope out the possibilities.
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