Check Gauges
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 90
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From: League City Texas
Check Gauges
I occasionally get my check gauges light to flicker a bit. I have noticed that when it has done this my oil pressure gauge is dead on " 0 " psi at a redlight on idle. My water temp flucuates so much I don't know if I have air in the system, bad thermostat, debri on suction side of radiator, water pump issues or what. I don't leak water, just had cooling system cleaned, mechanic assured me he got all the air out of system. He was very familar with vettes running hot. My temp will go from 198 to 225 in 3 minutes on the digital gauge just driving around town. And then it will drop to 205-211 and stay there for the most part When I do get this check engine light the analog gauge is on the second to last mark before 265. Granted I use the digitals for my operating ranges, is the check gauge light coming on because the analog temp & analog oil gauge are in the danger zones and both these have switches that activates the check gauge light. I so freaking confused at this point. The car runs great, I just think I need to change out some sending units to these gauges if thats all possible to do. By the way the car is 96 Collector Edition coupe. Any info or help, guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,356
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From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Oil pressure is your problem. Every GM car I have owned did the same thing when the bearing clearances increased due to wear. Try a little heavier oil and if the pressure at idle is higher than it is now, you found your problem. 
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 90
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From: League City Texas
I just had the oil changed on Monday and thats when it did it the last time. I use Mobil 1 10w-30, it does'nt do it every time the needle hits 0 just occasionally. So it could'nt be the bearing wear. At normal highway driving I have 40 psi. But don't forget on the days that its not an oil pressure issue its the temp gauges. And somedays when both gauges are acting stupid I don't get the check gauge light at all. But when I do get the light one of the 2 are in the danger zone via the analog gauge not the digital. See how confusing this sh%t is with my vette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 109
From: Longmont Co
I occasionally get my check gauges light to flicker a bit. I have noticed that when it has done this my oil pressure gauge is dead on " 0 " psi at a redlight on idle. My water temp flucuates so much I don't know if I have air in the system, bad thermostat, debri on suction side of radiator, water pump issues or what. I don't leak water, just had cooling system cleaned, mechanic assured me he got all the air out of system. He was very familar with vettes running hot. My temp will go from 198 to 225 in 3 minutes on the digital gauge just driving around town. And then it will drop to 205-211 and stay there for the most part When I do get this check engine light the analog gauge is on the second to last mark before 265. Granted I use the digitals for my operating ranges, is the check gauge light coming on because the analog temp & analog oil gauge are in the danger zones and both these have switches that activates the check gauge light. I so freaking confused at this point. The car runs great, I just think I need to change out some sending units to these gauges if thats all possible to do. By the way the car is 96 Collector Edition coupe. Any info or help, guidance would be greatly appreciated.
