2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Idiot light

[darkhorse]

I had an odd thing happen this morning. About 2 miles into my morning drive I saw the "check Gauge" light on. I'm not sure how long it had been of but not long . All I could see wrong was that the voltmeter was at zero. Everything else was working fine. I pulled over & checked fuses while the engine idled. No problem there so I drove the remaining 4 miles. I shut it down then just thought I'd try turning the key again. To my surprise the idiot light stayed off & the meter registered fine. It's remained working fine ever since. What the heck was that all about? Any one got any thoughts?

 

[Turbo Horseman]

Don't you hate when your truck messes with your mind?.

 

[darkhorse]

I sure do. Some time I worry that the computer controls are getting to sophisticated.

 

[Billy Diesel]

I had the same thing happen on mine. I have a 2m radio that also ckecks voltage, so I flipped it on and it showed a steady 14. 1 volts, even though the factory gauge said zero. I brought it to the dealer, and of course they couldn't duplicate the problem, nor had they heard of it before. Doing some research on here pointed to the Camshaft or Crankshaft Position Sensor, I can't remember which one. It has only happened a couple times in 50K miles, and now when it does happen going down the road, I just flip the key back to off and back to run real quick. (I had an old tempo that I had to do this to also) Just don't do it in traffic or if you have to stop or turn!

 

[darkhorse]

It did it again this afternoon. I flipped the ignition switch like Will suggested & it came right back on. ... . makes me wonder what's up.

 

[Spunkys Ram]

Is your alternator getting wet by chance? These alternators seems to shut down when they sense a 'short' load. First time it happened to me I flipped out but then I figured out what was going on. Seems like a pretty cool idea so it doesn't toast your alternator.

 

[Billy Diesel]

Spunkys Ram,



In my case, the alternator wasn't shutting down. It was operating as per normal, it was just that the factory volt meter showed zero.



darkhorse,



Next time it happens, drive it to a dealership like that. Make sure they don't shut it off, and have them test it. Or, if you know someone with a scan tool, it is throwing codes and will tell you what is wrong. I think you would just have to check it without shutting it off.



Later,

Will

 

[ntillm01]

Something is going on with the charging system. Like others said here, if the alternator gets wet, or a wire shorts or something, the engine computer shuts the field wires down, then tells the cluster to turn on the check gauges light and put the voltmeter at zero. That's how it lets you know it's detected a problem, and shut thing off to protect them.

It will stay in this state until the key is turned off then back on again. That's why it goes away and works again. I agree, next time it happens, go to dealer and get somebody to look at it without turning the key off.

You might be able to see what codes are there by doing the three-key-cycle thing and reading them in the odometer. The computer is supposed to remember what the issue was, even though it might not be happening at the moment.

 

[darkhorse]

I'm pretty sure the alternator isn't wet. It might be a little difficult getting to the dealer without shutting down but if I can pull it off I'll give it a try. I'm not familiar with the scan tool I hear people refering to.

 

[Al Trice]

I have seen this several times it turned out to be the oil pressure sensor. The oil pressure gauge will usually drop also.

 

[darkhorse]

In my case, the oil pressure is reading normally. I'm going to check the 3 key cycle idea to see if I get a code. Thanks for all the input.

 

[MPassaro]

mine had the same thing happed. but all of the gauges stoped working the dealer worked on it and said that dodge knows what

the problem is it is the computer in the dash. that is f ed up the dealer had my 03 for 3 to 4 weeks and still would do it os i called dodge. gave me a new 04 truck.

 

[darkhorse]

Golly, they gave you a new truck?! I like my '01 but it would be hard to turn down a replacement offer like that.

 

[darkhorse]

I did the 3 key cycle trick & got a code. Here it is (P PCU) Can any one tell me what that means?

 

[Dieselnutz]

I have a service manual for a 2002. I did not see a listing for that code. The codes for example are listed like P1689 and P1693. These are the ones I set accidentally yesterday when I turned it over with the fuel system relay out. Unless it is followed by numbers I don't think you have any codes but the check engine light is on so you must. Try it again. Some codes will reset after 1 to 2 warm up cycles. Others take 40 cycles.

 

[darkhorse]

Thanks Dieselnutz, I rechecked my code. I guess I hadn't waited long enough. I got the same letters at first but then (- - - - - ) showed up followed by (P1682). In my '01 service manuel that's a low voltage code. I don't know if that means there is trouble brewing in my charging cicuit or not.