1999 F-150 when started all the gauges max out, then like a circut breaker is tripped everything goes to 0 after that they all read normal. This is new I had the truck for years it never happened before. Anybody dealt with this, will it cause other problems? Ideas or help will be much appreciated.

 

That is a sign the battery is on the way out.

When the cluster loses power ( or has a low power condition ) that is how it calibrates.

Could be a terminal corrosion issue, so keep that one in mind.

If you search on gauge sweep, there are several threads on the topic.

 

thanks that makes sense the battery was weak in the cold weather

 

Even if you replace the battery, which is probably the problem, if you have a DVM, it wouldn't be a bad idea to do an Ohm check on the cables to make sure you don't have any internal corrosion or breakdown. On a truck 12-13 years old, that can definitely happen.

 

I cleaned the terminals and connectors and it hasn't happend since. The gauge problem didn't exist in the cold weather when the battery cranked slow, it started toward the end of the winter. This problem was probably a combination of the two since its the original battery in a 99. Ill replace it before next winter.

 

You've gotten more life out of that battery than anyone deserves! Good on ya!

- Jack

 

Jack, he got that kind of service out of the battery because it wasn't made by Johnson Controls! It was a good thing while it lasted.