Weird dials recently..... they have a mind of there own

[Guest]

Hi folks...

I'm going to have a look at the dials and possible causes this comping weekend but wondered if you could point me in the right direction....

The oil pressure dial occasionally does a little wiggle round about the correct pressure. Rather than sitting still it flicks side to side of it only a little bit mind. It used to sit still?

Also under hard acceleration the coolant temperature gauge does a little dance up and down the dial sometimes. The rest of the time it behaves perfectly and the coolant system appears to work as it should.

Finally the fuel gauge.... Its an indicator on mine and reads very roughly the amount of fuel i have. Normally something like but i switch the car off with a quarter of a tank and switch it on and suddenly its empty?

I'm guessing the gauges are just old or receiving some false signals wether it be electrical or mechanical.

Just a general clue as to what might be the causes if you can please?

Cheers

Will

 

[Hilux]

Instrument voltage regulator or a bad earth?

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: Hilux

Instrument voltage regulator or a bad earth?

I was thinking along those lines.... Battery died today too which is pointing more toward a bad earth and some leaking current somewhere..?

 

[wizard]

Instrument voltage regulator - what does it look like?

I have had these same symptoms for a while. My Fuel temp goes up like a shot under acceleration, the speedo sticks from time to time too.

 

[Hilux]

Dunno but I know that without one the dials swing around.

It may be that the instruments have one self contained but I`m not sure as i cannot find a part ref for it

Maybe PET has it?

Check the earth/s to your instruments.

I know that running a good/new earth from the original in early VW golfs makes a huge difference to lights and instruments.

 

[Guest]

I'm not sure if this could be a cause but i fitted a new radio not lot after i'd bouht the car. I had to re-use the connector blocks (yuk) and i fear some interference is causing the dials to have there own minds.

I'm lookin to insulate them better with some shrink wrap asap. Do you think it'll make a difference?

 

[cococola]

Either way I would insulate them better anyway.

 

[Siggy]

Have the charging rate checked, it could be overcharging under acceleration.

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: Siggy

Have the charging rate checked, it could be overcharging under acceleration.

Thats interesting. I wondered about the alternator as when i put the lights, heated rear window and wipers on the voltage drops considerably. Also the voltage is sometimes low upon starting the car untill i rev it when it then increases to just above 12v

 

[Logie]

Heh i got the same! Mine started to go crazy after some moonsoon rain, Oil Needle still does this, sometimes the RPM will stay at 0 and i have to just tap the plastic front to get it back working!