Hey my buddy keeps getting a "Check Gauges" light to go on while he is idling. I know that he has had sometimes when his speedometer has gone out. Is this just a sensor, or does something else need to be checked?

Thanks

 

Come on guys, anyone have "Check Gauges" come up before?

 

since its only at idle, whats the oil pressure at? water temp? normally the check gauges light only comes on if its overheating or low oil pressure, not sure it comes on if the tach or speedo stop working, oh and check the charging voltage to, if its low at idle that will do it too

 

either buy a scanner and check it or bring it to autozone and have them scan it. cpiuld be a hundred of things.

 

the "check gauges light" is not the check engine light, only reason for that light to come on is to tell you to look at your gauges because something is wrong with the jeep that needs your attention, like if its overheating, low oil pressure, or low charge voltage. that of which could be caused by mechanical or electrical failuer, oil pump going out, low oil, low coolant, fan not working, oil pressure sending unit faulty, same with coolant temp sensor, or the alternator could be going out, all depends what the issue is

 

I just acquired a 98 that finally has some gauges (my 96 has mainly dummy lights). So I am new on this one, but here is my take thus far.

The Check Gauges light comes on for me each time I start the truck, but usually goes out fairly quickly, once my oil pressure, temp, etc starts to register.

I think the check gauges light may simply be a default, if no gauges are registering, the check gauges light comes on. If it only shows up when he starts the truck I would not be worried about it. However if it continues to come up or stay on I would ask if the other gauges are working or not. If not, perhaps there is a connection issue or short on the instrument panel.

If gauges are working, then I agree that perhaps it is drawing your attention to a gauge that has a reading out of line.

 

thanks CFarr but i have a new question now

 

At start-up, all of the lights on the instrument should come on for 2-3 seconds and go out.... it's a bulb check.

 

bought time you made it to double digit posts

 

yeah mine does the exact same thing. It’s also a 98

 

It is the sensor. I have replaced this twice, but I finally figured out the problem. They are poorly made so the internal metal contacts disconnect when the engine gets hot (probably due to thermal expansion). The good news is that you can easily disconnect the plastic "body" of the sensor(which attaches to the wire harness) by pulling/popping it off with your hand only, which exposes the contacts on the sensor. Then just bend them slightly out with your finger to add more spring tension and push the plastic body back on till it snaps/clicks back on. Very simple, and is a permanent fix.

 

He's been waiting 16 years for an answer, so good thing you joined this month. Still, helpful detail you posted.

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