Instrument Cluster - Something resetting?

[Tripoli]

Recently, I started having a problem with car. Maybe 1 out of every 10 times I start the car, all my gauges swing all the way to one side, then back before starting normal operation. This is often accompanied by a somewhat rough engine start. Everything works completely fine after that.

Any ideas?

 

[Smokeurhonda]

When the gauges are swinging to one side at initial start up the gauges are recalibrating themsleves. It sounds like you have an intermittin problem with the cluster or pcm. When you start it do you have good battery voltage? If you have excessive draw off the battery and have low voltage when starting the pcm could be resetting it's self. Also explaining the rough starting. Do an ignition off draw and see how much it's pulling. It could also be a short to ground shutting down the PCM. Or simply an internal failure in the PCM or cluster. Check it out and keep us updated.

 

[Tripoli]

When the gauges are swinging to one side at initial start up the gauges are recalibrating themsleves. It sounds like you have an intermittin problem with the cluster or pcm. When you start it do you have good battery voltage? If you have excessive draw off the battery and have low voltage when starting the pcm could be resetting it's self. Also explaining the rough starting. Do an ignition off draw and see how much it's pulling. It could also be a short to ground shutting down the PCM. Or simply an internal failure in the PCM or cluster. Check it out and keep us updated.

I guess I don't know what "good" voltage is, exactly. When I turn the ignition to ON, the battery gauge goes to where it normally sits, basically pointing straight up. When I start the engine, it drops down a fair amount while the starter is working, then returns to normal once the engine has started.

How exactly does one do an ignition off draw? I'm a bit ignorant when it comes to ignition systems, and I can't honestly claim to know what the PCM is. Any education is welcome.

 

[Smokeurhonda]

PCM stands for Powertrain Control Module. It is the vehicals central computer. The instrument cluster is tied in directly to the pcm. If the pcm is shut down for some reason (i.e. disconnect the battery) then the cluster with do a self test when it is fired back up. An ignition off draw is a test to see how many amps you are drawing after you have turned off the ignition key. When you turn off the car you still have things like the pcm and anti theft module "awake" prepped for the next start up. Things like this consume amperage. If you have some rubbed wire, or even a faulty module then it could be consuming too much electricity when the key is off.

Now on the other hand, considering your car fires up with no problems makes me kinda think that it isn't excessive IOD(ignition off draw). But to check anyway, get an ammeter or digital multimeter and hook up an amp clamp around the battery cable. Fire up the car and then shut it off. Your ammeter reading should be no more then .5 amps. Honestly, since you really don't have a significant problem, but it's more of an PITA, I would just say screw it and not even worry about it.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it Good advice

 

[twogts4us]

battery dying, almost guaranteed this is the issue. been there, done that.

 

[00BlkStangGT]

My car was doing the same thing. The gauges would sweep across then come back the there regular positions. Mine started to do it just about everytime I started the car, but didn't think anything of it. After I had replaced the battery I noticed it didn't do it anymore. Still hasn't done it since the new battery.

 

[sgarlic]

+1 for replacing the battery.

 

[Kurgan]

Low voltage to the PCM and/or instrument gauge cluster. Have your charging system and battery checked and replaced if necessary.

 

[Give Me TP]

+3 for the battery. If you disconnect the battery for about 30 mins and then re-connect it, the guages will perform a full sweep at startup just like you have described.

 

[Smokeurhonda]

 

[MT1083]

my gauges did that just before my battery went south. I took it in and had it tested and sure enough, the battery was about to take a dump on me.

 

[donsbad68]

battery vote here too

 

[Tripoli]

Well then, when the time comes, do y'all have any recommendations for a replacement battery? The car's daily driven, so it needs to be something reliable. Wouldn't mind losing a little weight in the process, but hey....

 

[Tripoli]

Well, today that car almost didn't start (a first for it), so I ran by Sears and picked up a Die Hard Gold battery. Sure did start up a lot quicker than I'm used to after dropping it in. If you don't hear from me again on this thread, then all is well.

 

[blubullett]

Mine used to do that about a year ago. I looked at my battery one day and noticed that one of the cables was loose. Try that befor you go buy a new battery.

opps. never mind. looks like im too late.

 

[Tripoli]

Mine used to do that about a year ago. I looked at my battery one day and noticed that one of the cables was loose. Try that befor you go buy a new battery.

opps. never mind. looks like im too late.

First thing I checked anyways.