All the gauges bounce from completely off to part way up

1999 DODGE RAM
129,000 MILES • 5.9L • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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TEEFERS
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My truck 1500 has an electrical problem I think. Starts and runs okay, but all the gauges bounce from completely off to part way up. The bounce together. The odometer flashes as well. The beeper beeps and the airbag light stays on until you buckle the seat-belt. The the airbag light goes out, and the beeping stops. The beeping used to only start after leaving park if the seat-belt wasn’t hooked.
Took to AutoZone and they said that it probably was the gauge cluster. But didn’t check for any codes.
Dec 19, 2018 at 10:32 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good afternoon.

The first thing I would do is check the charging system. you should have 14 to 14.5 engine running. then switch the scale to AC volts and see if there is any voltage.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

If all this is good, then check the connector at the back of the cluster for any corrosion or damaged terminals. if all that is good, then yes, you have a bad cluster.

Roy
Dec 19, 2018 at 10:39 AM
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TEEFERS
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Forgot to mention, this started with a bad battery. Truck hadn’t been run for a while so wouldn’t turn over, where I park it no room to get another car close to jump so I pulled the battery and put it on a charger overnight (1.5amp maintenance charger). It didn’t charge so took to AutoZone and they said it was bad and replaced(under warranty).
When I put new battery in is when this started.
Will check the charging system as suggested if more than that will need to take it into shop.
Thanks for the advice.
Dec 19, 2018 at 11:58 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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You are welcome.

Keep us updated.

Always glad to help.

Roy
Dec 19, 2018 at 12:18 PM
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ZANDRA DANIEL
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So, anything come of this? I'm having the exact problem. It's also not been run a while and the battery was drained. I needed to move it out of someone's place so I bought a new battery to do so. It starts right up, but my gauges bounce. It also does die after a minute or so, and now I'm thinking the alternator is bad. But what could be the gauges bouncing?
Jul 3, 2023 at 11:13 PM