Weird guage and signal problems

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Weird guage and signal problems

April 06, 2007, 06:26:08 PM

Last night when I started the car to go home from work, I noticed that my fuel guage was stuck at the bottom. I knew I had enough to get home. Also, my turn signals wouldnt work. I drove a little ways, and the turn signal finally clicked on and the fuel guage came to life.

Now this morning I was on my way to tank up. Same thing happened. Signals wouldnt work, fuel, oil pressure, and temp guages wouldnt work either. But the wipers and lights were fine, along with the speedo, tach, and radio. After driving about half a mile, just like last night, everything came back. The times I have started the car after that, there havent been any problems. So I'm thinking it has to do with the car sitting for a while, then driving just about half a mile. That seems to be the only consistancy so far.

I have no idea what this would be. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Weird guage and signal problems

Reply #1 – April 06, 2007, 09:06:53 PM

You may want to inspect/replace your ignition switch. I had a very similar problem with my gauge and it turned out to be that switch. I had also noticed a burnt smell while the problem was occuring. Turned out that i had burnt spots on the contacts of my switch. Here's a picture of the ignition switch..very cheap part by the way.

Weird guage and signal problems

Reply #2 – April 06, 2007, 09:32:14 PM

I second the ignition switch suggestion, and I'll add to it by saying that since your car is already showing signs of a defective switch, you should disconnect the battery and leave the car alone until you get one. Those switches have burned a lot of cars (and Ford had actually recalled 'em for 88-94 models - unfortunately Ford probably won't still have it on record whether your car was done, but it's only a cheap part anyway). If I sound alarmist, it's because I, personally, had one catch fire in my '91 T-Bird.

The switch can catch fire whether you're in the car or not, whether it's running or not. Do yourself a favour and disconnect the battery!

Weird guage and signal problems

Reply #3 – April 06, 2007, 09:38:55 PM

Thanks for the info; I'll go disconnect it.

Weird guage and signal problems

Reply #4 – April 06, 2007, 09:57:40 PM

Even the replacements are worthless pieces of !

Weird guage and signal problems

Reply #5 – April 06, 2007, 11:38:57 PM

...Which is why I rewired mine to carry only the current required to turn on a trio of Bosch 75 amp relays when I installed the remote starter. I hate switches carrying high current (I also rewired my headlights and foglights).

Weird guage and signal problems

Reply #6 – April 06, 2007, 11:52:17 PM

Maybe I'll do that one day (probably not, too lazy )

The new ones are designed the same as the old ones, as far as I can tell. The four metal "arms" that hold the plastic portion to the metal portion are about as hard as warm butter. Turning the key all the way back puts a vertical load on the plastic piece, over time the arms deform and let the plastic piece drop down...at some point things that should touch do...and you burn your car down.

I used to ignore the "disconnect the negative battery terminal" advice you see before every procedure description, and did so when I changed the ignition switch on an '89 Tbird (stupid, I know). As I fiddled with the half-together switch, some pieces made sweet, sweet love and blew the main fuse (80A) and blinded me for about two minutes from the ensuing ball lightning that was created.

Below is the 5 year old switch in my '87 Tbird. Subsequently replaced for the 2nd time with another $25 Motorcraft part.

Weird guage and signal problems

Reply #7 – April 07, 2007, 09:05:46 AM

Strange, I've never had one actually come apart. For me, they just melt. The switch out of the '91 was just a gob of aluminum, plastic, and copper snot. I was lucky, though = I was in the car when it caught fire and pulled the battery cable off before the fire spread. "Lucky" being a relative term, of course. I was stranded several hundred miles from home with a really bad sunburn, I hated that car, and it was insured. It rewarded me for saving its life by spinning a rod bearing about two months later...

Weird guage and signal problems

Reply #8 – April 10, 2007, 01:29:56 PM

My ignition switch was just loose, so we replaced it. Everything works fine, and there's even an unsuspected (albeit very welcome) side effect! Check out my post in the engine section for more details :) .