Dash lights and Temp guage shenanigans

[Ron Davis]

So turned the main lights on and dash lights were full brightness... later noticed the coolant temp guage was full hot...freaked me out ....but the digital system said it was 170 so calmed down.... then I remembered the lights .... when I turn them off the temp guage normalized.... I later realized it was the Dash light brightness that was impacting the Temp guage.... so seems like a ground somewhere is in play... thoughts as to where and could thai also cause the full to be indicating full all the time also?      Could it be as simple as a bad headlight switch....  how do I track this down because I also think this 'grounding out problem is impacting other things like my tow harness flashers....   its all a mystery.  Lol

[Eric Maclean Co-Admin]

Ron
The first thing to check is the common ground wiring which runs to all the gauge's the connections at the back of the gauges tends to come loose or were never factory tightened causing ground issues for the gauges.

Next try supplying a good ground from the electrical buss bar in the electrical bay or straight from the battery bay and see if you have any change.

Lastly the connections for your fuel sending unit ( mounted on the driver's side of the fuel tank) are common issues for fuel gauge problem ( bad connections) try cleaning them to see if you can get an accurate fuel gauge reading.

Hope this helps
Eric