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Dash gauges jumping


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GeezerPete
New User

May 21, 2018, 12:40 PM

Post #1 of 3 (1919 views)
Dash gauges jumping Sign In

I have a 1993 Chevy K1500 4x4. All of a sudden, the dash gauge needles are jumping up and down. The amp gauge shows a complete discharge. I have tested the battery, cleaned and replaced the bat post bolts. Replaced the alternator, multifunction relay on the firewall, the ignition cap and rotor. I have also replaced the ignition switch in the steering column. All to no avail.
When it's not under a load, sitting in the driveway, in park, with the engine running, It runs and sounds great. But when I drive it, it wants to stall, the ABS light flashes and the gauges jump. Please, what now to make my Chevy dependable again?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 21, 2018, 1:05 PM

Post #2 of 3 (1912 views)
Re: Dash gauges jumping Sign In

Using the "Parts Cannon" approach is just going to confuse the source problem you could have checked those items to a point.


What voltage do you get with it just running now test it a couple ways. Idling battery bolt to battery bolt and again if they still exist the rubber covers to GM sideposts is what makes the connection not the bolt.
Now put a load on it like headlights and blower motor full blast and do the same test again bet it's wildly off not within spec still should always read over 13V but not as high as 15V just that.
If that show a failure those eyelets gave out can rot even down the cable ends might even be bulging inside insulation? That and know a good ground strap goes from engine block to body metal and again to frame I think on passenger's side it's a bare braided wire. There are lots of others throughout to get ground back to battery even the dash board most likely unless you can see the gauge cluster is grounded and doubt you can.


Gotta rule those basics on, it's old enough in the best of shape those things if not tended to along the way plain fail then the whacko things happen. If you find all of that good we move on to what else it can be but that's first,


T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

May 21, 2018, 2:02 PM

Post #3 of 3 (1905 views)
Re: Dash gauges jumping Sign In

After you have ruled out the battery cable basics Tom suggested, then move onto the power supply connections at the fuse box and the fusible links at the starter or firewall, wherever they put them on that year. Pull on fusible link wire to see if it stretches to indicate burned wire inside.



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