Bouncing voltage gauge

[manley]

I have a 93 Ranger 3.0L 5-speed 4x4. The voltage gauge occasionally bounces quickly within a small range. It does not peg either direction. Just wiggles. I think it only does it when I let off the gas, but not everytime I let off the gas.

Today it is raining, so I was using the windshield wipers. The delay in the swipe of the blades is inconsistent. Sometimes it will swipe 4 times with no delay in between, then a long delay, then several times fast, then a long delay or two, etc. Very inconsistent.

Could my voltage regulator be taking a crap on me? Like everything else!

At least it isn't freezing cold yet and I can fix it without getting frozen to the garage floor as I replace the clutch this week. It seized up on me at 4:30am today in McDonald's drive-thru. Just replaced the fuel pump Friday. And I think the TPS is going out. Should be a new truck in a years time at this rate.

Thanks!

[Explorin94]

Check your battery connections first. If they are dirty clean them and then go to the ground on the block and clean both the block and ground good. If your problem is still there have your battery load tested. Check your charging system also. If your voltage regulator is bad the gage won't read anythinig at all.

[dangerjim92]

i had the same problem over this past summer. i checked the batery terminals and such and it was charging 13volts but it wasnt a week later it quit charging.

[calypso93]

If you alternator is similiar to mine, (4L-'93), there's a single wire "fast on" connector that gets loose and dirty from time to time. Wiggling it gives the same gauge bounce you described. Cleaning it and putting on a light coat of silicon ignition grease holds it for a year or so.

[manley]

Thanks for the tips, guys. If I ever get the clutch in, I'll check into the gauge problem.

[iangoround]

Mine does something similar. The gauge bounces and all the lights flicker, but only at idle. If the truck is even slightly above idle everything is fine.

same problem perhaps?

[michowski]

I had this happen not to long ago. Check to see if all your grounds are secure and tight. Check the terminals on the battery and the cable. Make sure everything is clean and have a clean surface. Double check all the bolts and nuts and make sure there all tight.