Anyone else experienced jumpy cluster
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 326
Likes: 19
From: Decatur AL
Anyone else experienced jumpy cluster
Ok so the other day I was enjoying a nice ride in my C5Z. I was driving on an older 2 lane highway, that is a little rough. Its not the nicest road and its not necessarily the smoothest, however there are no potholes or big dips or anything ridiculous its just not the smoothest asphalt.
Hope I have explained the road clearly enough. I drive this road every time I drive my Z which is once or twice a month, and I have NEVER noticed this before. I was cruising at 55-60 MPH at most just like I do every time I drive the road.
As I was driving I really noticed the road seemed to be rougher than I remembered it in the past and my RPM needle was jumping up and down slightly, maybe varying 2-300 RPM's on the cluster. I pushed the clutch in and held it and the RPM went to idle and the needle was just as smooth and did not jump at all. I let the clutch out, continued driving and it stopped for a short time then started jumping around again.
I have no current or history codes, also I did not hear or feel a miss at all when I stopped in the driveway and watched and listened to the car.
The RPM needle was the only needle that I noticed doing this.
If it matters the Z is completely stock.
Hope I have explained the road clearly enough. I drive this road every time I drive my Z which is once or twice a month, and I have NEVER noticed this before. I was cruising at 55-60 MPH at most just like I do every time I drive the road.
As I was driving I really noticed the road seemed to be rougher than I remembered it in the past and my RPM needle was jumping up and down slightly, maybe varying 2-300 RPM's on the cluster. I pushed the clutch in and held it and the RPM went to idle and the needle was just as smooth and did not jump at all. I let the clutch out, continued driving and it stopped for a short time then started jumping around again.
I have no current or history codes, also I did not hear or feel a miss at all when I stopped in the driveway and watched and listened to the car.
The RPM needle was the only needle that I noticed doing this.
If it matters the Z is completely stock.
Last edited by Ferg03 Z06; Jul 7, 2015 at 05:14 AM.
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I understand what you are saying, but I have not heard anyone report a similar problem here on the forum. Perhaps post this in the C5 Tech section and see if someone there has some suggestions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
I now know you have an issue on one road. Why don't you drive on a smooth road somewhere and see if it happens there.
Also always pull your Dash DIC trouble codes to see if anything is there.
Also always pull your Dash DIC trouble codes to see if anything is there.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 226
Likes: 9
From: Ponchatoula La
I have a similar problem that my tach works sometimes and not at others. When it quits, I can sometimes tap the dash top above the cluster and revive it. It often stops working when I hit a bump and starts sometimes....when I hit a bump. I read here, but cannot seem to find it now, that there are several nuts on the circuit board that retain the tach and create the connection for it to the board/ribbon cable and that they are known for loosening and creating a poor connection. If I find the post, I'll try to post it here for you...er, us!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
I helped a friend who had issues with the IPC "going crazy" at times. The previous owner had the issue and the dealer had replaced the IPC with no change. So my friend got a good deal on the car. I determined it had to be a ground or power issue. Had him pull the IPC so we could check the circuits. He immediately found two terminals in the connector that feeds the cluster were not fully seated. He just pressed them in and no more issues. One was a power feed and the other was a ground.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,301
Likes: 199
From: Valencia CA
I have a similar problem that my tach works sometimes and not at others. When it quits, I can sometimes tap the dash top above the cluster and revive it. It often stops working when I hit a bump and starts sometimes....when I hit a bump. I read here, but cannot seem to find it now, that there are several nuts on the circuit board that retain the tach and create the connection for it to the board/ribbon cable and that they are known for loosening and creating a poor connection. If I find the post, I'll try to post it here for you...er, us!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 326
Likes: 19
From: Decatur AL
I will also try to check the connections if the problem persists in the future, thank you for that advice
Last edited by Ferg03 Z06; Jul 6, 2015 at 01:51 AM.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 326
Likes: 19
From: Decatur AL
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 326
Likes: 19
From: Decatur AL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
I think this is what he meant. I didn't understand it either but decided it was not important to understand it, just that you had gauge issues.
"I pushed the clutch in and held it and the RPM went to idle and the needle was just as smooth and did not jump at all. I let the clutch out, continued driving and it stopped for a short time then stopped jumping around again."
"I pushed the clutch in and held it and the RPM went to idle and the needle was just as smooth and did not jump at all. I let the clutch out, continued driving and it stopped for a short time then stopped jumping around again."
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 326
Likes: 19
From: Decatur AL
I think this is what he meant. I didn't understand it either but decided it was not important to understand it, just that you had gauge issues.
"I pushed the clutch in and held it and the RPM went to idle and the needle was just as smooth and did not jump at all. I let the clutch out, continued driving and it stopped for a short time then stopped jumping around again."
"I pushed the clutch in and held it and the RPM went to idle and the needle was just as smooth and did not jump at all. I let the clutch out, continued driving and it stopped for a short time then stopped jumping around again."