Screwy Gauges
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7
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From: Alton, Missouri
Screwy Gauges
I have a problem that is driving my insane.1st. My Oil Pressure Gauge is messed up. The gauge is always dropping off. When my RPMs go down so does my oil pressure.
2nd. My Temp Gauge shoots to Hot as soon as I start my truck.
3rd. My Check Engine light is always on and sometimes it blinks during long drives.
I am not too sure how to describe these things. So if you need more of a description, let me know. I hope that I am not going any damage to my truck by ignoring it.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 10,511
Likes: 10
From: Under the flightpath of old ORD 22R
altoncomet,
Well, sounds like getting the numbers for the DTC first, before looking at the gauge problem.
The oil pressure gauge is just a idiot light in analog form. If it had the min pressure that the engine needs, it is up ( and should stay in that place ).
The temp gauge shooting up when power is applied is a good indication that the gauge cluster or ( hopefully not ) the HEC module is trashed, I don't know which one causes both problems, I would say the gauge cluster as a SWAG from what I have read in posts around here. But that problem needs to wait until #3 is figured out. Also I don't if you have a pre 99 or post 98 year truck, to say for sure which it is, the above info is from post 98 gauges with the digital odometer.
The CEL on, and blinking sound like multiple DTCs are waiting. The flashing is usually indicative of a misfire ( is the truck running rough and stumbling ), but the best thing is to get the codes from the PCM.
Once you get the error codes ( have whom ever give you the number, not what they think it is ) post them back here for some further ideas. The reason I say get the number, is AutoZone likes to give you a simple answer ( the O2 sensor is shot ) not the actual code number ( i.e. P0401 ). Ususally they are wrong with the suggested diagnoses. Just have them read all the DTCs, don't worry about clearing them, you can do that yourself by disconnecting the battery.
Post back with the DTCs and we'll go from there.
Well, sounds like getting the numbers for the DTC first, before looking at the gauge problem.
The oil pressure gauge is just a idiot light in analog form. If it had the min pressure that the engine needs, it is up ( and should stay in that place ).
The temp gauge shooting up when power is applied is a good indication that the gauge cluster or ( hopefully not ) the HEC module is trashed, I don't know which one causes both problems, I would say the gauge cluster as a SWAG from what I have read in posts around here. But that problem needs to wait until #3 is figured out. Also I don't if you have a pre 99 or post 98 year truck, to say for sure which it is, the above info is from post 98 gauges with the digital odometer.
The CEL on, and blinking sound like multiple DTCs are waiting. The flashing is usually indicative of a misfire ( is the truck running rough and stumbling ), but the best thing is to get the codes from the PCM.
Once you get the error codes ( have whom ever give you the number, not what they think it is ) post them back here for some further ideas. The reason I say get the number, is AutoZone likes to give you a simple answer ( the O2 sensor is shot ) not the actual code number ( i.e. P0401 ). Ususally they are wrong with the suggested diagnoses. Just have them read all the DTCs, don't worry about clearing them, you can do that yourself by disconnecting the battery.
Post back with the DTCs and we'll go from there.
