Weird dash guages issue

[TLC Dan]

Hello Mudmates,

Recently i have been experiencing an issue with my gauges. When it is cold, my fuel, battery, and temp gauges start to dance from their normal places/readings to dead (bottom) position. It is intermittent and independent of each other. it usually calms down after it is driven for a while but the temp gauge sometimes stays at zero until it is restarted It is the weirdest thing you ever saw. I have never been into the dash and the doctor that bought it originally was not in there per the maintenance records. It runs fine and no other issues have come up.

Any ideas????????

Thanks

TLC Dan

 

[dnp]

I have the same type of issues with my truck (also an LX, but Mine is an '03). Sometimes, the gauges will dance after startup, then they act normal. Sometimes my tach will just stay on 0 and never come to life unless I restart it. Like TLC Dan, this condition is usually worse in cold weather.

Anyone have suggestions on what may be the issue / how to correct it?

 

[100 TD]

Check your alternator plug, remove and spray and replace. Also, if you have been in wet weather, leakage past roof rack bolts allow water to run down wiring harness and get into connectors and temporarily short things.

 

[Bretthn]

weak batter, alternator, bad grounds, or poor battery terminal connections can cause this. Since you say it happens when cold, I would start with the battery.

 

[camino70]

I experienced this today. First cold day I've taken the '98 out. The needles drop intermittently and individually.
I've been meaning to clean and grease the battery connections. What else should I try?

 

[camino70]

I cleaned up the terminals with hot water and baking soda, they greased them up. The issue persists. It seems to happen the most when accelerating from a stop, there also feels like a hessitation from time to time too.

I guess I'll take the battery in to be tested.

How can I get to the wiring harness mentioned above to look for corrosion?

Thanks

 

[uHu]

Check Grounding straps to the engine and plug to the alternator.

 

[camino70]

It took me longer to find the alternator than I'd like to admit....
Now that I found it, bottom left, any pointers on how to get to it and clean up connections?

Where are the ground straps?