My speedometer, rpm gauge and fuel gauge are not working; possible gear slipping and high rpm.
I recently had a used motor put in my vehicle about 6 months ago when there was an oil build up which is commin in this engine i guess, and a new starter about 6 weeks ago. I also recently found out the my battery is getting low and will need to replace soon. This morning forvthe first time my speedometer and rmp gauge was working. My speedometer would read 0 and sometimes jump around and twice for about a minute actually work. My rpm gaugevran unusally higher then usual(which i could also hear my engine working harder then usual. On my way home from work my fuel gauge started up to and was re
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. For the electrical issues on the dash that are not working properly, I recommend that you have your battery check and loaded. The battery could have 12.6 volts, but if a cell is burnt or damaged, the battery will not hold a load causing issues with the electrical system to your vehicle. If the battery is low on charge and or fails the load test, then I recommend replacing the battery with a new one if it is more than a year old. Batteries in a vehicle usually last about 2 to 3 years without having any issues. If you need further assistance with your gauges not working properly, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
For the jerking feeling when shifting, check the transmission fluid and see if it’s full and red in color. If the fluids are low, top them off and check the condition of the shifting issue. Another possibility that can cause the transmission to jerk into gear is the transmission or engine mount could be loose or damaged. If the transmission is still having an issue with shifting, then I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you with your transmission jerking in gear.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
The most common causes of a speedometer that stopped working include are a faulty speed sensor, a broken gear on the speedometer, damaged wiring, or a faulty engine control unit.
If the oil pressure, coolant, charge, or gas gauge doesn`t work or works erratically, the problem is in the gauge, wiring, or sender. Speedometers are unique in that some of them use physical cables instead of sensors, so a speedometer not working can also indicate a broken cable or stripped gear.
The instrument cluster fuse, also known as the dashboard fuse, is responsible for powering the dashboard gauges and displays.
If there is no RPM signal when the engine cranks, the problem is usually with the crankshaft position sensor. This sensor measures the car`s RPM, and the car won`t start if the sensor isn`t functioning properly. Your car may refuse to start, or stall, intermittently if the crankshaft position sensor has a problem.
A fuel level sensor (FLS) is used in all automobiles to indicate fuel level. Various methods are used to measure fuel level such as resistive film, discrete resistors, capacitive, and ultrasonic. Resistive-based sensors are most commonly used for this application.
Particularly if you are experiencing an issue with more than one gauge on your vehicle, the culprit may be a fuse. If the fuse for the instrument panel has been blown, make sure to replace it. Then go ahead and turn on the car. If the fuel gauge doesn`t sort itself out automatically, run the cluster test again.
If the RPMs drop off right as the engine is stalling then the most common cause of this is a bad crankshaft position sensor. This sensor tells the engine computer what the engine RPM speed is and what the position of the cylinders are. If it fails, the computer does not know the position of the engine so it will stall.
Most modern vehicles have a fuse box located under the hood and another under the dashboard. The fuses for your instrument panel lights and the gauge cluster should be located under the dashboard or behind a panel near the driver`s side door.
Function. The functional objective for the crankshaft position sensor is to determine the position and/or rotational speed (RPM) of the crank. Engine Control Units use the information transmitted by the sensor to control parameters such as ignition timing and fuel injection timing.
A common problem for this malfunction is when the car owner recently replaced the battery, or perhaps jump-stared their vehicle, which in both cases could have caused an electrical spike that made the speedometer go berserk.
When there`s no speed signal coming from the sensors, shifting of gears will be a problem because the powertrain control module won`t control them correctly. This will make the transmission not work properly. It will either shift more quickly or roughly than expected.
Faulty Fuse/Bad Wiring: In very wet conditions, it is possible for exposed wires to get wet and short out, causing a fuse to blow. When the fuse for your speedometer stops working, it can cause the speedometer to drop to zero.
Turn on the engine`s ignition and probe with a multimeter between the ground and the positive terminal on the back of the gauge; it should be marked with a “+” or an “I.” If there is no voltage then the fault is in the ignition circuit—and the gauge is probably good.
One of the first signs of a failing fuel rail pressure sensor is poor fuel economy. If your car suddenly seems like it`s using more gas than usual, it could be due to a problem with the sensor. Additionally, if your car starts to hesitate or stall when accelerating, this could also be a sign of a failing sensor.
Press and hold the “Trip/Odo” button and turn the car back on. While you`re holding the button, turn the key back to the “ON” position. Hold the button down for another 2 seconds after the car`s back on, then release.
The speedometer can be repaired or replaced after you determine the root cause of the issue. If it malfunctions, you can validate the circuit integrity and the sensor function through a multimeter or a scan tool. A bi-directional scan tool can also help you check for anomalies with the vehicle`s instrument cluster.
Underperforming Electrical Systems
You might notice your car`s power windows rolling slower, the speedometer acting up, or the stereo system`s output getting softer due to alternator trouble. These are tell-tale signs of an issue with your vehicle`s electrical system.
Disconnect the sensor from the housing on the transmission, as indicated in the repair manual for your car. Disconnect the sensor`s wire coupling. Using the multimeter`s voltmeter connect the probes to the ground and reference wires in the connector. If no voltage is received, the sensor is faulty.
Typically, engines idle at about 600-800 rpm. Older engines may go up to 1200 rpm or more while warming up. But if the engine is revving up while idling, even after it`s sufficiently warmed up, you might have a problem.
What RPM should a car drive at when accelerating? When accelerating your vehicle, it is best to stay within a 2000-2500 RPM range. This will give you enough power to reach an acceptable speed level while also ensuring the engine stays within safe operating limits.
A fuse is always connected in the live wire of the circuit.
The fuse wire is always connected in the live wire of the electric circuit because if the fuse is somehow put in the neutral wire in the circuit, then due to excessive flow of electric current when the fuse burns, current will stop flowing in the circuit, but the appliance will still remain connected to the high …
The crankshaft position sensor monitors as a multifunctional sensor used to set ignition timing, detect engine RPM and relative engine speed.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
My speedometer, rpm gauge and fuel gauge are not working; possible gear slipping and high rpm.
ANSWER : Hi there. For the electrical issues on the dash that are not working properly, I recommend that you have your battery check and loaded. The battery could have 12.6 volts, but if a cell is burnt or damaged, the battery will not hold a load causing issues with the electrical system to your vehicle. If the battery is low on charge and or fails the load test, then I recommend replacing the battery with a new one if it is more than a year old. Batteries in a vehicle usually last about 2 to 3 years without having any issues. If you need further assistance with your gauges not working properly, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
For the jerking feeling when shifting, check the transmission fluid and see if it’s full and red in color. If the fluids are low, top them off and check the condition of the shifting issue. Another possibility that can cause the transmission to jerk into gear is the transmission or engine mount could be loose or damaged. If the transmission is still having an issue with shifting, then I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you with your transmission jerking in gear.
Gas gauge isn’t working. Sometimes the speedometer and the temperature gauge doesn’t work. Limited lights around gauges and radio.
ANSWER : Hi there. The dashboard lights are burned out in the dash and the dimmer switch could be worn causing the lights to be weak. The gauges that seldom fail to work is most likely a loose wire in the dash panel. The fuel gauge that is not going to E when shutting off the car has a damaged rheostat within the sending unit. The sending unit is in the fuel tank attached to the fuel pump. If you need further assistance with your gauges not working, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
I have a 1981 e-350 with dual fuel tanks the p.o. added a third tank and 3 electric fuel pumps along with sepparate gauges and swi
ANSWER : The switch you are referring to is vended with the required electrical and fuel schematic (I just looked in the box) that answers your installation question. If you want an advance view, here is a link as well. Yes, you need a return line and just refer to the aforementioned link. If you are retrofitting back to OEM, I strongly encourage you to buy the original Factory Service Manual (FSM). There are lots of details attending this system and obviously it is difficult to recount it all here. The FSM will make your life much easier and you can then make sure your installation is perfect. Alternatively, YourMechanic can dispatch a certified mechanic and perform the whole retrofit and check out if you desire. Just request and schedule a generic service such as fuel pump service and the mechanic will come to your location and estimate the parts and labor required. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Temperature gauge does not work – 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
ANSWER : You will need to test the computer to scan for data of the temperature sensor to see if the computer is reading the correct temperature as tested externally on the coolant sensor. If the sensor is not accurate then replace the sender. If the sender is accurate then you will need to have the temperature gauge replaced.
My dash board don’t work my front light work when I change my light into high beam and my back window won’t go down
ANSWER : As unfortunate as it is, your vehicle would be considered flood damaged. Diagnosing electrical problems in a flood damaged vehicle is nearly impossible. This would take many hours or even days to determine which wiring harnesses and circuits have been affected. Then nearly all of the wiring under the dash would likely require replacement as well as many sensors and switches. On a BMW vehicle, the amount of wires and switches are likely more than that of a lower end vehicle. Due to the inefficiency in cost, you would likely be able to purchase another BMW like yours for less than what it would cost to fix your car. Many insurance companies would consider this type of damage to total out the vehicle unfortuantely.
My clutch went from a slip in one gear to all 6 gears to sticking to the floor all in under 3 hours of non consecutive driving.
ANSWER : Hi there, thanks for writing in. It’s entirely possible that a component failed. For instance, if the clutch pressure plate failed, then the clutch pedal will feel very spongy and can cause the car to slip and be very difficult to shift. If it has a dampened flywheel, and that fails, then the car may lose the ability to go anywhere. It will go into gear fine, but will not move forward. If a clutch release lever failed, it may no longer release the clutch enough to allow gear changes, though slipping would be minimal. A failing hydraulic component could also cause the clutch to fail very quickly. Based on the symptoms, I think that the pressure plate has failed, but it’s impossible to say for sure without seeing the car in person. You should have a qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, inspect your car and diagnose your clutch issue.
my fuel gauge temp oil preassure and battery gauges all stoped working.
ANSWER : When you lose any electric items or accessories, I suggest first checking all your fuses. You can pull the fuse out to check it, but even better is to use a test light to test the fuses with them still installed in the car. My guess is that it will simply be a fuse. If it is a fuse, replace it and see if it blows right away again. If it does, then there is a problem somewhere on one of the circuits. If not, then the fuse should fix it. If all the fuses test ok, then you could have a bad ground, or another wiring issue somewhere in the truck. At this point if a fuse replacement isn’t the fix, I would recommend having a qualified professional, such as one from YourMechanic, diagnose the electrical issue for you.
Just replaced my fuel pump but its not getting any power tested fuel pump relay and fuel fuse both good tested the wires all good.
ANSWER : You need to look at the theft light on dash to make sure it comes on and goes off when you turn the key to the on position. If light comes on and stays on then your theft system is causing the fuel pump to not be engaged. I recommend you check the theft system and then scan the computer for theft system codes. You may need to reprogram the keys to work or you have an bad sensor for the ignition key in the steering column.
