Problem with my stock gauges...

RedHot91GT

New Member
Jan 24, 2003
219
0
0
Surprise, AZ
Im wondering if anyone else has this problem or possibly knows the cause of it. My stock gauges seem to jump alot, the speedo jumps, but thats probably just the gear in the transmision or the cable. But what really gets me is the alt gauge. It bounces whenever it wants too. And It seems like it effects the engine rpm gauge. I can put an electrical load on the car (Ex. rolling both windows up while they are already up) and the alt gauges bounces, and so does the rpm gauge. I think it also effects all the other gauges but more gradually. Does anyone know a possible cause to this problem, and what I should do to fix it? thanks
 
You are probably putting to much load on your alt and that is causing the problems, and you likely have some loose connections or ground issues. A new alt likely would help. Putting a better ground from your block to the firewall may help, but it all boils down to the alt. The stock alt is barely enough to handle all the accessories.
 
Mine does the same damn thing. On my dad's 91 Gt, when I am stopped idling for a while, the volt gauge and oil pressure gauge drop. The car idles poorly when this happens as well. The volt gauge also drops when I hold the window buttons. I don't know what the hell is wrong, but the cars runs great. This happens sometimes on my LX.
 
the stock electric gauges have a voltage regulator, which can cause some problems when it goes south. also the gauges have hysteresis built into them (thanks Michael) - so they dont move much- showing trends rather than real time data.

PA Performance has alt upgrades too. be sure to do the WIRING upgrade.

AM makes a really sweet lookin pod to replace the stock gauge (you guys know the name of it - im not that savvy). at about 400- 500 bucks, it is too steep for me, though.

at a minimum, i would get good oil pressure and water temp gauges - the stockers are just lame. good luck.
 
LOL, you wouldnt beleive what the problem was. One of the positive terminal clamp on the battery actually fell apart. about 1/4 of the peice was actually cracked off. I was like wtf? how did that happen. So I bought some better clamps that go around the terminal. And walllah all the gauges went back to normal. Kinda weird that was the cause of all the gauges goin wacky.
 
nice work. the gauges are very sensitive. you mess with their positive input, they will tell ya (i dont know about stockers, but with the aftermarket voltmeter, the TS being on makes it dance like a madman).