2G Instrument cluster not working

[Baton]

Hey everybody,

I did a search and found some issues that might be related, but not exactly the same problem I am having. So I figured I'd do a post, and see what people thought.

About a couple of weeks ago, the srs light started lighting up and dimming down for no reason. Then about a week ago my speedometer and tachometer started bouncing, which I thought might be a bad vss. Now they've completely died. Also my fuel gauge, water temp gauge, etc have all stopped working, but the backlights work and the srs light, etc keeps lighting up and dimming down. Also, I'm not positive about this, but I think my odometer has stopped working as well.

Is it a problem in my electrical wiring? Or do I need a new instrument cluster? Or a combination of multiple problems? Anyway, thanks for your help.

 

[TALONTRAX]

Check the charging system . . . these are the early signs of a failing alternator. With the car idling, volt meter on the battery posts should be 13.4-14.6 volts. Anything lower than 13 volts is a weak/dead alternator . . .

 

[meliketoball]

Check the charging system . . . these are the early signs of a failing alternator. With the car idling, volt meter on the battery posts should be 13.4-14.6 volts. Anything lower than 13 volts is a weak/dead alternator . . .

Go for that. Go borrow a friends voltmeter, test the voltage of the battery, which should be 12 more volts then turn the car on. Test the voltage of the battery which should be around 13.4-14.6.

 

[Baton]

Thanks I will try that tomorrow.

So a little update. I went out tonight and everything started and drove fine. When I went to leave to go back home though the car wouldn't start. It'd just slowly turn over. After about 10-15 seconds it finally turned itself over and everything was fine, which I believe would confirm an alternator.

However, I just realized that the car didn't turn off once I got home. The keys weren't in it or anything. So it idled for like 2 hours when it was supposed to be turned off. Any ideas on that?

 

[luv2rallye]

Possible faulty turbo timer. Low voltage can be either bad alternater or a battery with a shorted cell that is pulling the voltage down. Measuring battery voltage with head lights off then on both with engine off then on will tell you.