2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Airbag light on,all guages inop, and odometer flashes

[NScott]

My 98 12V had been resting for about 3 weeks when I went to start it the other day but the batteries were dead. (They were very old) I replaced the batteries and it started right up but I have NO guages working, NONE, and

no tach either. After you start it the warning lights behind the speedo light up briefly but then go out I guess as they are supposed to, however the airbag light comes back on and the chime starts.

Also the digital odometer keeps flashing the miles up about every two seconds or so.

I dont believe the alternator is putting out OR the current is not getting through to the batteries because the interior light will not brighten after starting the truck or. A friend was following me and said the brake lights were not working either!

Will someone with experience with these symptoms tell me what my problem is? All ideas apprieciated!

 

[HBarlow]

I've never heard of symptoms like that.

Did you possibly accidentally reverse polarity on one or both battery leads when hooking up and zap some electric/electronic component(s)?

 

[LVJUNIOR]

I had a lot of the same symptoms on mine and it turned out to be the PCM. Replaced it and the abs light stayed on but everything els returned to normal. Had to go to the steelership to have the correct vin programmed into the PCM which solved my abs light issue

 

[NScott]

I replaced both batteries today with new ones but still no difference. In addition to none of the guages or tach working, the airbag light stays on and the chime sounds every 15 to 20 seconds or so. I don't believe the alternator is charging or maybe the curcuit is open because the batteries don't seem to be receiving any charge. The odometer flashes the miles on the display regularly every 3 seconds or so. I really have no idea about my problems with this truck and I will appreciate any and all help!!!!!

 

[LVJUNIOR]

Pretty much all of your dash is controlled thru the PCM. If you lost all of your gauges at the same time and the odometer is flashing that is where I would start. If you have an auto it could also prevent it from going into overdrive. My truck was parked for an extended period and I had to put a battery charger on it. When I fired it up it acted just like yours.

 

[NScott]

Finally got around to replacing the ESS with a new one, I searched the threads and the ESS seemed to be the likely suspect. NO CHANGE!! Still no guages,tach,speedo and the odometer still flashes the milage off and on every 3 seconds.

Now What????

 

[DGerth]

Check all the ground connections as it has set up for a spell which is an invitation for corrosion to move in. Just a thought.

dg

 

[JMetzger]

You can check to see if your batteries are charging by putting a VOMeter on the batteries. They should show I believe 13. 7 to 14. 2 volts with the engine running. At least you would know if the charging system is working.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Check your grounds. One of my 98 12vs lost the alternator and guages, too. The odometer wasn't blinking, though. Anyway, it ended up being the tach sensor on the crank pulley. It had been broken somehow, I'm presuming a cat or coon crawled up under the hood. Without a tach reading, the ECM doesn't know the engine is running, and doesn't polarize the alternator to charge, and also doesn't know to read guages. The ground is common among the alternator, A/C compressor, Tach sensor, water temp, oil pressure, etc. Also check your ground wires on both batteries. They have to have a good ground to the body to complete the ECM feed circuit. One of my '97s had the tach sensor just go bad, and it did similar, not letting the alternator charge, although on those models, the guages and lights still work. I'm presuming you've checked all fuses in the under hood fuse box. I'd suggest a double check, then look for the tach sensor.



Good luck,

Casey

 

[fortunate1]

Similar problem here...

speedo, tach, voltmeter, and coolant temp won't budge off of "zero". odometer also won't turn when driving. still need to check the pcm trouble codes using the flashing check engine light.

oil pressure and fuel gage work fine. transmission shifts fine, all the way thru to o/d. batteries @ 12V at rest and 14V with engine running.

i pulled out the cluster to clean the contacts on 2 multi-wire plugs in the back. still won't get the other gages to work.

this is perfect timing since the truck needs a state inspection by the end of the month...

 

[BHuebner]

I had the same problem, but with my 01. someone on here suggested i unplug all electrical connectors i could find and used some di-electric grease on all the pins. i havent had any issues since. hope this helps