1987 ranger gauge rises and lowers

[ridofpwrstroke]

I have the stock gauge panel in my 87 ranger. The speedometer and the gauge with 4 gauges in one. Sometimes riding in the truck, the gauges will raise all the way to the top. All of them. IE: fuel gauge will go higher, temp gauge will show higher, etc. Then sometimes 10 seconds later it will come back to normal, and sometimes it takes a couple of minutes. It has done this for many years. What is wrong?

 

[Vanner1993]

My fuel gauge does that but I have narrowed it down to the float. Same with my temp gauge, but it has been steady lately.

 

[--weezl--]

typically, if your temp gauge is doing it, it means you have air in the system, top off your rad and be done with it!

but if all of the gauges are doing it, all together, you have an electrical problem... what? i can't say

 

[ridofpwrstroke]

I know that my float is working and I know it isn't air in the system. I has been happening for a while and I actually just took radiator out. Is there a relay that controls the gauges? It will act normal and then go haywire. Running normal and the fuel gauge will read half tank and the temp is right on normal. Next thing the fuel level is going up and the temp is going up. They make it to 7/8ths of a tank and temp will go to the high spot on normal. Ten seconds later it goes back to normal. Couple minutes later and it goes higher and can stay maxed out for a couple minutes. Then back to normal. I would think if I lost power the temp and fuel would go completely low like when you turn the key off. What do yall think? Not a huge deal but I hate it when it happens. Especially off road and I see the temp gauge maxed out and really have no idea how high it is.

 

[--weezl--]

i personally have no idea what could cause ALL of the gauges do screw around like that... someone will pipe up though, i'm sure... i would install an aftermarket temp gauge till you get it sorted out though!

 

[martin]

might be a problem with the ivr.

 

[Mark_88]

When my alternator was on the fritz my guages did that...and also when there is a loose ground wire...you can have the alternator tested...but you're gonna need to look at all the grounds closely yourself...unless you like paying someone to pull your wire(s)...especially check the cluster at the solenoid and the battery...they can appear tight but are not...but do not tighten them too tight because you can crack the solenoid...and then you'll be annoyed...

Oh, yeah, and the ground on the starter...that too...

 

[ridofpwrstroke]

I know it is not the alternator as that has been replaced before. This has been doing this for a while. It did it when it had the 2.9 in it, and it does it now with the V8 in it. What is an IVR? I will have to check the ground up by the firewall.

 

[martin]

instrument voltage regulator.

 

[ridofpwrstroke]

WHere is this IVR located? I also had some issues again and kept hitting the steering column by the key and it would keep going away and then coming back. IS this the key switch?

 

[Mark_88]

More likely just a loose wire...that's the good news...finding it may not be easy, but if you have a wire diagram you should find the hot wire for the gauges and trace it...could be something as simple as a connection has been vibrated loose...there may be a ground wire inside the dash (under the steering column there is one on mine)...but at least it's not serious like a wonky alternator...

 

[sid]

Mine did pretty much the same thing --- turned out to be my ignition switch was falling apart. Changed it and no more problems . Ground, and hot in one location, worth looking at ...

 

[bobbywalter]

the ivr is on the panel....plugs in like a 9v battery


first thought when i seen this.


we made pictures for it back in 2000-2001 iirc

 

[Ronv]

The IVR has snap connections just like was said before,"like a 9v battery" usually mounted on the instrument cluster.

Ronv