Gauges Went Dead, But Car Stayed On...CPU Problem?

[howardsternisgo]

Hi all, I figured I'd ask my question here before I take my car in to the dealer just to see what you guys think.

I have a 2001 Mustang convertible and it has around 124,000 miles. It has had an issue where the battery light comes on and turns off intermittently but the battery is perfectly fine. Today, however, it had a problem of a more serious nature. I was driving and suddenly three lights came on, and almost immediately all the gauges and dials went dead. The radio was still on and the car still functioned fine as far as driving went, but the gauges and everything turned off. Then a few seconds later the gauges and everything ramped back up and went back to normal. About thirty seconds later they went off again and stayed off for around three minutes. They went back on eventually (for instance, the fuel gauge went back up to full; the tachometer went to 120 miles-per-hour and then settled at 40 miles-per-hour; the temperature went up all the way and then went to the middle) and they didn't shut off again. The only problem now is that the total miles driven reading has a weird symbol in it, but this too happened once before and eventually went back to normal.

Obviously the computer is screwed up but to what extent? What are your thoughts? Have you guys ever heard of this happening? I'm hoping just some plug is messed up and it's not like an $800 fix or something...

 

[mustang_matt]

sounds like one of two problems.. 1st bad bad gauge cluster or. bad harness connection.. Do a gauge test.. With your key in the off position. Push in your trip button and hold it in..turn your key to start the engine and continue to hold the the trip button until the gauges SWEEP over the numbers they should all move smoothly and at the same time. Now you can push the trip button and scroll thru a lot of the computer functions.. If all looks good pull your gauge cluster out and make sure the connector is tite and look at the wires make sure they are all in good shape. Check the grounds wires on the gauges. If all looks good then you probably have a bad gauge cluster.

 

[95Vert383AOD]

I say a bad main ground. Check the ground from the battery to the frame. Use a volt meter to check the charging voltage at the terminal and also the positive on the alt. to the frame while vehicle is running. It should be around 14.4

 

[howardsternisgo]

Thanks for your suggestions, guys, I appreciate it. It hasn't acted up again and I haven't yet checked all the things you said, but I will. Truth be told, I'm not too mechanically inclined but I do know people that can help me and I will bring the suggestions that you guys made. Do you guys recommend to still do the checks you suggested even though the car hasn't acted up again? I'm just making sure.