electric problem 1979
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 286
Likes: 11
From: LA CA
electric problem 1979
Every time I turn the key swith off most of the instruments dont go back to 0. The only ones that do is speedo-voltemeter-gas. Does anyone have an idea as to what causes this.
Thanks
Thanks
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina 704-394-5150
It is the way the gauges are designed electrically. Your tach will not read zeero with teh key out of the ignition, but when you turn the key on with the engine not running it will go to zero. It is nothing to worry about if the oil pressure, temp, tach go to zero when you turn the key on without the engine running, that is assuning that the engine is cold so the temp gauge will be at its lowest. If the engine is hot, then it will show the currrent temp. The volt gauge will show current voltage when the key is on, i.e. battery voltage. Fuel gauge is the same, it will show the level when the key is on and will move slightly when the key is off. Speedo is cable driven so it will be at zero at a stop, unless you ahve an issue inside the speedometer.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina 704-394-5150
It is not a problem, It is the way the gauges are made. DO NOT sweat it. As long as they zero when the key is on as like I earlier described, they are fine. The gauges do not have a spring in them to force them to zero when the key is off, they are waiting for a current and signal to make them move. So they stay in a state of limbo at the setting they were at at the time the ignition was turned off. They may go to zero if the car is left alone for a very long time , but even then when the key is turned on they will zero out because they now have current running to them and they are now waiting for the circuit that causes them to change to change. i.e. increase in ohms of ground
