2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 98 12valve gauge problems

[EGoodson]

I have a 98 12 valve I recently pulled the instr cluster to put a new whiteface overlay on so I had to pull the pointers for all the gauges and now my fuel gauge and oil press gauge will not work . I have put new overlays on two other clusters both 98-02 dodge diesel and never had any problem

 

[budnate]

leave your gauges in the truck, pull your clear lense, pull all your needles again, turn ON your iginition wait like 20 seconds, and turn it off, do it twice, this cycles the gauges back to zero, wait like 20 seconds after turning the ign off, then gently put your needles back on right on the left low side mark of each guage, put it back together and you should be good to go..... you did the needles on the bench and the gauges rembered where you were when power went off but were Not zero'd out on the bottom of each scale if that makes sense, I just pulled and cleaned mine and had the same issue till I thought about it, did the above and I am reading right again.



Peace, B.

 

[EGoodson]

I tried what you said budnate it does make them zerout and when you turn the key on they go from below zero back to zero. The real problem is the signal to the gauges fuel level and oil pressure . I have checked pin connectors behind cluster and senders. Does the signal to these gauges go through the PCM ?I heard it did on 24 valve trucks but not on 12 valve trucks . any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

[budnate]

sorry dont know that answer on the signal voltage, I would guess if all was perfect before the overlay your kneedles are rubbing in the overlay holes and not stroking properly. ??? quazimoto stamped crap may be off.

 

[fest3er]

I tried what you said budnate it does make them zerout and when you turn the key on they go from below zero back to zero. The real problem is the signal to the gauges fuel level and oil pressure . I have checked pin connectors behind cluster and senders. Does the signal to these gauges go through the PCM ?I heard it did on 24 valve trucks but not on 12 valve trucks . any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

As far as I know, the instrument cluster is driven almost entirely by the PCM, over the CCD network. I seem to recall one or two things that are driven by some thing(s) outside the PCM (other than the backlighting).



There is an 'instrument cluster test mode', where either the PCM or the cluster itself will go through some tests (such as setting the gauges to 0, 1/4, 1/2 and 1). This would likely help you re-zero your needles. But I don't recall how to enter it. I vaguely recall something like you hold the trip reset button in and turn the key on, holding the button in until the LCD starts its test. Checking SM... Ah, almost: key off, push and hold the trip reset button in, turn key on, release button AFTER you see CHEC in the trip display (about 10 seconds).

 

[EGoodson]

Thank you I will give this a try.

 

[budnate]

do 12 valve trucks really have a gauge test feature?? I thought that was only on 24 valve trucks?

 

[EGoodson]

Yes the 98 does because the dash and instrument cluster are the same as 98. 5-02. I did The test today on mine and straightend out my oil press and fuel gauge problem. The needles were draging on the new overlay and one pointer was cracked I fixed the pointer with a lighter and kept running the check mode untill I made sure there were no more interferance problems. Thank You very much Neal P Murphy and Budnate

 

[fest3er]

do 12 valve trucks really have a gauge test feature?? I thought that was only on 24 valve trucks?

Yes. But IIRC, the 98 12V does not have a means of displaying DTCs other than watching and counting the CE lamp flashes (key on, key off three times); later trucks can display the codes on the trip odemeter, I believe.



And I might also preface that with "the high line (with built-in tach) clusters have that feature; I don't know about the other clusters.



Occasionally just after starting (ealy just after stopping cranking), my speedo will jump up to 100 MPH or so, then quickly ease back to zero. Dunno why. Maybe the truck is trying to tell me something. Something like:

• I'm a tired, wore-out old truck. Just shoot me. Please!
  
• Sumpin' ain't right here, man. I dunno what, just sumpin' ain't right.
  
• Come on man! Put it in gear! Let's go! Let's go!
  
• Neal? You don't need to check the oil level. It's low because I piddled on your driveway. I'm old and incontinent; I couldn't help it. Just thought you'd want to know. (Variant of Bill Engvall line. )
  
• Sir? You remember that 'Tink! Per-clunk! Thump! Clank! Whump!' you heard last month? I think an important part of me fell off. I'm running OK, but you might oughta wanna check me out and see what's missing.
  

 

[DieselDoghouse]

OR: Oh Gosh, I tink somethings wrong with my rear(differential)!! I have that embarassing 'fungal' condition on my speed sensor - better pull it out wipe it off and reinstall. (usu they start dropping out but sometimes they go WACKO).

 

[budnate]

great learned something new today... can you guys clear up the reset procedure with the key and button pushing... . it proabaly is me but I am confused when reading it.



Thnx B.

 

[EGoodson]

Push down on the trip meter and hold it while you turn the ignition on and keep holding it aproximatly 10 seconds and the odometer screen will read check release the trip meter reset and it will do it's thing

 

[fest3er]

OR: Oh Gosh, I tink somethings wrong with my rear(differential)!! I have that embarassing 'fungal' condition on my speed sensor - better pull it out wipe it off and reinstall. (usu they start dropping out but sometimes they go WACKO).

Or, (in Apu's voice) "I am having a problem with my rear end; I think it is being a fungus on my instrument. Will you please be having a look at it and fix it. "



And, of course, the obligatory response: "Not on your life, pilgrim. Doc Mallen says you're gonna die. "

 

[budnate]

Thank you.



B.