Daniel U

My IROC just turned 20 years old this year. Within the last 5 months I've noticed my elect. gauge drop below the middle marker, then come back up slowly. Before this, the needle has always been at the middle line. I have also have noticed my oil psi gauge bounce when I'm at idle or low RPM(below 1k). I replaced my 5+ year old battery(was in it when I bought it)with an Optima "Red Top" gel battery yesterday becuase when I went to start the car Tues. morning and got the click,click,click with a dim dome lamp. I replaced the alternator 2 years ago, so I was sure it was probably the battery. I had a load test done on the alt. this morning at Kragen's and they said it was consistant throughout different rpm's with a load or without. However, the gauge was reading correctly throughout the test.

My ? is:
Do I have an intermittant(sp?) drain or short in my elect. system or a bad gauge? Like I said before, I know my oil psi gauge is going bad. I believe it's(oil gauge) mechanical though. I'm not real big on elctrical, so I'm asking for help or advice. Anyone had this or a similar issue? I'd hate to damage this new battery. Thanks, Daniel U

TraviZ

iTrader: (2)

You could tap into the signal wire from the alternator to the gauge and read what voltage it has, and compare to the gauge.

UNCLE TOM

iTrader: (1)

since all you have done lately is changed battery . i would suspect a broken/damaged/burnt fuseable link . there are 3 in the battery area to a terminal block . insp. is no brainer , look & feel . should be obvious if broken or damaged . feel along wires if you find a soft/mushy spot its burnt . they can be cut back & spliced . they are reddish in color . good luck .

Daniel U

TraviZ, thanks. You're always the 1st to post a response. I appreciate the help. I'll try and check both what you're sayind and what UNCLE TOM(thx) have mentioned. Maybe I'm making it harder than it is. Daniel U