What Is Wrong With My Dash Gauges
Posted in Ignition Systems | Asked on Aug 9, 2010
I recieved an 89 Thunderbird that runs great. It has an aftermarket stere0o / cd player installed. That said> When I start the car, the temperature guage goes directly to overhot and the gas gauge goes above F.I know it only has 3/4 tank. Also, the ignition switch has to be “adjusted” after starting so the other dash items work. @ automatic seat belt. etc. Could this be a result of the after market stereo installation or the faulty ignition key switch?
There are 3 Answers for "What Is Wrong With My Dash Gauges"
Nope, thats the result of a very old car, check the wiring on everything, sumthn aint right, its not a fuse cuz they still turn on, so that means the wires probly severed somewhere unfortunately
Look down at your fuse box and see where the stereo wire gets it power from. Move the wire to the accessories or something, I’m willing to bet that’s where your problem is from.
There is a ground problem. your gauges work by resistance to gound.You most likely have a short to ground Problem. Most likely in the dash.
The temperature gauge will peg out when the wire that goes to the sensor is gounded. the sensor measures temperature and adjusts it’s resistance accordingly(Temperature goes up,Resistance goes down)
the fuel gauge will peg out when the wire to the sender unit is gounded. the fuel gauge does the same thing, but as the tank is filled the float arm adjusts the resistance accordingly.
as for the switch being the problem, i doubt it, but the stereo could be if t was installed incorrectly.