gauges working a little strange lately

[j930]

just recently I have noticed that my speedometer does not come alive until about 20 mph then it works fine and if I slow back down it works fine its just on initial start. also last night my RPM gauge was bouncing like a ping pong ball but the engine was running normal(it was not going up and down like the RPM gauge). when I turned the headlights off and on the RPM gauge would jump with the headlight switch. THis is the firs time this has happened.

[fredmeister]

I advise to check the ground strap on the transmission to the chassis under the car by the tranny mounts. Sometimes grounding issues cause the problems you are seeing.

Then check the grounds to the gages themselves and the sending unit connections.

Good luck. Electrical issues are the worst.

[roger's 2937]

Possibly your alternator is going bad.

[Quicksilver77]

+1 on the alternator. Been there! Good Luck

[j930]

thanks for the alternator thought, when I revved the engine last night I do remember the lights getting a little brighter, if i remember correct that was a sign of a alternator taking a crapper.

[pkracer21j]

voltage regulator on the alt. just went thruogh this last week.

[A930Rocket]

Before you replace your alternator, check the heavy pos wire on the starter. The power runs through it to the battery. I replaced my alternator only to find out the wire was a tad loose at the starter. What a PITA is was to find that out after the swap out.

[j930]

how big of a deal is it to pull the alternator? I have a euro 84 turbo with a intercooler and A/C. I read the instructions on pelican but i am not sure it applies to my car.

[Miguel Antonett]

First thing battery, second the voltage regulator.

[A930Rocket]

It''s not terribly hard, but takes some time. You have to remove the interecooler, fan belt, alt nut, fan housing strap, pull the fan housing out as far as you can, pull the 11 blade fan off, pull the nuts off the alt fan to housing (keep track of the air deflector orientation), pull the wires off the alt. Swap out and reinstall.

I'm sure I forgot things, but that's the jist of it.

BTW. Remove the power cable off the battery.

Originally Posted by j930

how big of a deal is it to pull the alternator? I have a euro 84 turbo with a intercooler and A/C. I read the instructions on pelican but i am not sure it applies to my car.

[xbmwguy]

air deflecter is the only pia i had. mark orientation on deflecter with sharpy pen. other than that easy

[j930]

I have checked all the connections. everything is tight. one odd thing is my reverse lights are not working. i just replaced the pin inside the tranny and the switch and the bulbs are good. i cant find a blown fuse? I am going to check if I have power down there and thenI guess pull the alternator?