Gauges going crazy

[VOODOOII]

Just started noticing that right at start up the speedo, tach, and other gauges go crazy for a split second and then go back to normal,my trip setting resets almost like it has some sort of power drop on start up........

[SiggyZ]

Sounds to me you've got a short somewhere. Electrical issues can be a royal pain in the arse to diagnose.

[Too Fast]

Check the quick easy things first. Could be a bad battery. Have it tested.

[JaycenK]

sounds like a ground problem

[toi tyme]

Just started noticing that right at start up the speedo, tach, and other gauges go crazy for a split second and then go back to normal,my trip setting resets almost like it has some sort of power drop on start up........

mine did this when the battery went out..


the trunk would open too.... and sounds through out the wires connecting the speakers


and all my gauges would jump for a second.... id check the battery.. I thought it was an electrical problem.. thank god i was wrong and just a dead battery..

[Z28Thunder]

mine did this when the battery went out..


the trunk would open too.... and sounds through out the wires connecting the speakers


and all my gauges would jump for a second.... id check the battery.. I thought it was an electrical problem.. thank god i was wrong and just a dead battery..

I had the exact same thing happend to me. And just like you it was the battery.

[toi tyme]

Yeah I was on a wild goosechase


Initially I thought it was the battery. So my dad drove me to go get one. Then the orielys guy said he thought it was something electrical


So I called my insurance. Free tow to a electrical place...


$200 bucks later they say it's just the battery. But they did also fix some other codes and stuff for it too.


I was 4 hours late to work that day. They were pissed. Wrote me up assholes....

[Z28Thunder]

Yeah I was on a wild goosechase


Initially I thought it was the battery. So my dad drove me to go get one. Then the orielys guy said he thought it was something electrical


So I called my insurance. Free tow to a electrical place...


$200 bucks later they say it's just the battery. But they did also fix some other codes and stuff for it too.


I was 4 hours late to work that day. They were pissed. Wrote me up assholes....

I knew it had to be something electrical. Took the alt and battery out of the car. Drove to AutoZone and they tested both. Bat was bad bought a new one and put it all back together. I had a car I could use so I was not late for work...

[VOODOOII]

I had the exact same thing happend to me. And just like you it was the battery.

I know low voltage or high current can cause issues like this, car starts and runs fine, maybe an internal short in the battery??

[Too Fast]

Have you had your battery checked yet? Yes it could be an internally shorted battery. Or a sulfated one. Or just worn out. Do you have a voltmeter at home? With the engine idling, you should have over 13.5 volts at the battery, with all electrical loads off, if your alternator is good. If that shows ok, go somewhere and have your battery checked.

[JaycenK]

Clean the battery terminals real good. the side batteries tend to leak out the side posts when they go bad and the acid oxidizes the copper and most places will clean them with a solution but not fully remove the oxidation. It can cause odd problems down the road. next time you do an oil change take them off an check that the copper is not oxidized. If so lite sand them.

[insorned73]

is there any reason that you couldnt put 3 gauges in the 3 vents above the radio?

[JaycenK]

is there any reason that you couldnt put 3 gauges in the 3 vents above the radio?

No but you loose the vents for what they are made for and the cooling system will suffer because you are not flowing enough air.

[jiveass]

No but you loose the vents for what they are made for and the cooling system will suffer because you are not flowing enough air.

...battery

[Spaz]

take a wire brush and clean the terminals on your bettery and the hook ups for it... it's either your battery shitting out, corrosion blockage, or your alternator is starting to go and not charging the battery up enough...

[dparsons1968]

My Z is doing the same thing... I thought it was probably the battery... I am pretty sure this confirms it.

Thanks

[BIG_MIKE2005]

Most likely its the battery shittin out on ya. Mine has done this in the past & just recently started doin it again. So this time I'm gonna buy a better battery.

You'll know if its the alternator. You should either notice dimmed exterior/interior lights & on mine I could actually see the battery gauge in the car moving back & fourth as it was on its way out.

Try cleaning the terminals & if that doesnt fix it get a new battery. Problem should be gone.

[Blue28]

Mine did the same thing years ago(it only did it during the winter on first startup for the day),I took it to the dealer under warranty and found out there was some instrument cluster and battery issues with some of the 99s. After 2 clusters they finally replaced the battery, also twice, and that fixed the problem.

So yeah, it's likely battery.

[VOODOOII]

Battery and charging system are fine, replaced battery yesterday with a new excide and the issue remains

[Blue28]

You've got a 99 and there were issues with the instrument cluster.