Well still have the same issue on my instrument cluster and so far I've been following the leads posted in this forum. I couldn't find the instrument cluster suggested by Saleen0679. I looked everywhere throughout the driver side wheel well (maybe he meant the driver side kick pannel under the dash???)
I have a curiosity; if you take a look to the picture sent by "jrichker" on posting #10, I noticed that the ground terminal he is pointing with the screwdriver has two black wires and mine has only one wire.
The wire I have is the computer's ground, it looks like someone cut the other one off and don't know where that missing one goes to. Anyone????
The instrument cluster ground is below the washer fluid tank. If you look straight down in between the computer ground and the washer fluid tank and go about 6" lower you should see another ground screwed into the sheet metal.
The second ground you see in JRichker's post is a ground wire often added when performing a 3G install. I've also added that particular ground, but I haven't performed the 3G mod yet.
This is a great tech thread. If you fix your problem, Nick, I will probably go out and hunt mine down as well. I dont like the autometers in my car, and even though the stock gauge sucks, I like the factory appearance. Keep up the good work!
Saleen0679 thanks again for staying with me on this issue, I saw those ground wires (two) and they are tight and firm I have also the 4/0 gauge groung for better opration of the 3G alternator. So the next thing to do is check that ground for continuity all the way to the cluster connector.
I agree with you Nick, I want at least the interior to be close to its original state, the rest of my ride as most of them is waaaaay different now with so many upgrades (Ignition, induction, exhaust, suspension, brakes, etc) Other than a small LED indicator for the electric fan everything is stock on my dash. At least leave the dash alone!!!!(If you can!!!) LOL.
I would take the two grounds loose, remove some of the paint where the ring terminal makes contact with the body and rebolt them. You might even want to put some "no-ox" compound, found at home depot in the electrical dept, or some dieelectric grease on the bare metal before reattaching the grounds. This will make sure that the ring terminal is in direct contact with the bare metal and ensure a good ground.
SOB! I have the same problem with the temp gauge going higher when I turn my lights on too! I have always had it even years back before I did my recent engine swap! I cannot beleive this many people have the same exact problem and we cannot find what is wrong I will be checking my grounds too and will add the 4G ground wire because I just installed a 3G but I don't think that has anything to do with it. Lets find this problem together!!!
That really sucks I tried all the tricks I know and suggestions from this thread and my gauges still acting the same. I could take down the entire dash out of but not right now, instead I will spend that time on my engine rebuild.
It doesn't mean I'm quiting, I'll keep trying to solve this issue sooner or latter. Now this is personal.....war !!!.
But don't let me wrong if you have any other ideas or experienced/fixed this problem keep posting them, all the help is greatly appreciated.
Just a stupid idea, what happens when you unplug both the temp and oil sender connectors on the engine? The temp sender is on the lower intake, near the front of the engine on the driverside (one wire) and the oil sender is next to the oil filter (one wire)... If you unplug them, do the guages still move funny when switching lights?