Check Guages Light

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Mar 9, 2008 | 11:02 AM

jsup

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Team Owner

Joined: Oct 2004

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From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan

Check Guages Light

All my gauges seem to be working just fine. How can I find out WTF this means?

Thanks.

Mar 9, 2008 | 11:07 AM

Tom Piper

Safety Car

Joined: Feb 1999

Posts: 3,504

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From: Mexico Beach FL

Just a thought, I've seen my "Check Gauges" light illuminate because of the fuel level.

Tom Piper

Mar 9, 2008 | 11:15 AM

jsup

Thread Starter

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From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Piper

Just a thought, I've seen my "Check Gauges" light illuminate because of the fuel level.

Tom Piper

Yes. got 3/4 tank. But good catch. Clearly I'm over thinking this as I forgot that.

Mar 9, 2008 | 11:20 AM

Tom Piper

Safety Car

Joined: Feb 1999

Posts: 3,504

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From: Mexico Beach FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsup

Yes. got 3/4 tank. But good catch. Clearly I'm over thinking this as I forgot that.

[EDIT]
I just noticed in your profile, that you have an L98.
My comments are true for an LT1, I don't know about an L98.
That is why it is best for the original poster to ALWAYS identify the year of the vehicle up front.

Also, the oil pressure switch sender that activates the "Check Gauges" light is electrically totally independent of the analog sender for the oil pressure gauge -- therefore, even if the oil pressure gauge is reading correctly, if the oil pressure switch or wiring is defective, it could turn on the light.

Tom Piper

Last edited by Tom Piper; Mar 9, 2008 at 11:25 AM.

Mar 9, 2008 | 02:08 PM

SunCr

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 7,839

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From: San Diego, Ca

Maybe the later L98's had a Check Gages Light? I know my '89 doesn't. If so, GM and other automakers usually use this function to alert you to a system problem not otherwise controlled by the ECM/PCM; ie, Body Control Module faults such as A/C, Radio, Air
Bags or any item that relies on this Processor.

Mar 9, 2008 | 03:04 PM

MK 82

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 3,286

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From: Palm Beach

On my 96 Check Gauges comes on for:

1. Hi Eng Oil Temp
2. Lo Oil Press
3. Hi Coolant Temp
4. Hi/Lo Batt Voltage
5. Lo Fuel
6. Hi Auto Trans Temp

Mar 9, 2008 | 07:21 PM

Vettehappy

Instructor

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 121

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From: Wellington Fl

Quote:

Originally Posted by MK 82

On my 96 Check Gauges comes on for:

1. Hi Eng Oil Temp
2. Lo Oil Press
3. Hi Coolant Temp
4. Hi/Lo Batt Voltage
5. Lo Fuel
6. Hi Auto Trans Temp

Mar 9, 2008 | 10:54 PM

SunCr

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 7,839

Likes: 22

From: San Diego, Ca

You guys are right - I went back and checked the oldest Service Manual I could find with this Feature - '94 Sonoma - and the Check Gages Light was driven/grounded through a separate Module linked to the Oil Pressure and Temp Gages. Not much on Diagnostics but would assume that if there's nothing wrong with any readout, there's an intermittent short to ground at the light or a bum module. Don't know where I got the Body Module notion unless on those equipped its the Driver rather than a separate part.