Volt gauge

[majorlag]

Silly question here, guys.

Often, when I shut off my engine now, my volt gage drops all the way down to zero, below the bottom reading of the gauge (8 volts on my 94). If I rap on the instrument panel, it will drop down to 8 volts like where it's supposed to be.

Is this likely due to an electrical problem such as a bad ground or just a weak spring on the needle?

Thanks for the info!

 

[Opera House]

Why is it supposed to be 8 volts?

When you shut it off it will drop to a bottom or random low position. This means nothing.

 

[DeRocha]

The gauge is disconnected once you remove the key so the needle just drops off . If you put a meter on the battery it should read 12v (engine off) and will be higher (14v ish) when the alternator is charging the battery....

Does the gauge otherwise move normally? If so I would suspect its just old and on its way out. If not then maybe a wire is loose...

 

[majorlag]

Righto!

Thanks for the prompt replies!

I do understand that the gauge will drop off to the bottom reading when the key is off. I guess I didn't explain my concern fully. When I shut the engine off, the needle sometimes drops all the way below the bottom reading of the gauge (which just happens to be 8V) and hangs up in the top of the instrument panel (pointing "west"). If I turn the engine back on, the needle just stays there until I pound on the plastic cluster cover enough to make the needle drop back down to 14V or so.

I guess it's not really a big deal. But I was just wondering if, in the opinions of the wise and esteemed members of the board, this sounds like an electrical problem or a mechanical issue with the gauge itself. To me, it appears mechanical--a faulty spring or something.

I may put a peg in the cluster to keep it from getting pinned in the corner.

 

[DeRocha]

gotcha... I would venture you are correct (mechanical issue).

 

[KC7FEQ]

I've got the exact same problem on my '92 Navajo, and I may be tearing into the instrument cluster this weekend to replace the temp gauge (if replacing the thermostat and temp sensor don't do the trick), so I'll check out the volt gauge and see if it can be fixed, or if it will need replacing (which I will likely not do, as I'm sure it will be cost prohibitive). There are a few other people in this thread who have had the same problem, but no answers as of yet. I'll post back if I can figure out a solution.

 

[majorlag]

Thanks!

KC7FEQ:

Thanks for sharing that info with us! I'm interested to see how it all pans out. Keep us posted!