So yesterday my key fob battery died on me and I noticed when I went to turn my vehicle on that at key on engine off my gauge needles tweak out. Like they’re erratic and vibrate everywhere for like 2-3 seconds and then read normally. Could this be a key fob issue or there’s another underlying culprit somewhere? Changing the battery on my key fob today.
Erratic dash gauges/needles?
- Thread starter T4R03
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I had gauge issues last month as my battery was apparently dying. I noticed at night my headlights were a little flickery, as well. I thought it was patches of fog I was driving through, until the dash flicked on and off a few times while in mountain roads.
Maybe worth a free check at an auto part store.
Maybe worth a free check at an auto part store.
This sounds spot on. My battery has been a bit crappy. I’m going to go ahead and replace it. I mean crappy as in I get a little sulfur smell here and there, I got some corrosion on a terminal and looks like it’s been leaking a tad bit over the last few months. So thanks for that info.
Seymore Butts
New member
I don't think you'll have to look any further than the starting battery.
And your corroded terminals.
And your corroded terminals.
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Sounds right. Will go clean them off today. If there’s no more wackiness after cleaning them I’ll call it good. If not I’ll be replacing it. Love your username btw
Yeah I cleaned the batteries. Still same issue. Will check the alternator. Sounds like that’s the issue now honestly.
Ordered the alternator on Amazon. Let’s hope and pray the battery has enough juice up until Sunday.
Seymore Butts
New member
Forget the alternator and read what you wrote about your starting battery.
Don’t think it’s the battery but I have a tester at work. Cancelled that Amazon order and picked up an alternator at Advanced Auto. Going to test battery at work then test the alternator and see where my issue lies. Hopefully it’s just the battery. If not I’ll be swapping that alternator out first thing tomorrow morning.
So I checked my battery after letting it sit. Reads 12.6V. Turned my car on and my battery is getting charged. It stays steady at around I believe I saw 14.2 or 14.6? But it stays steady and very little to no change. So I believe my battery is good and my alternator is working?
AuSeeker
Elite Member
To test a battery properly it needs to be load tested, the diodes in an alternator can be going bad and it will still charge the battery until they go completely bad and that can also damage the battery because the voltage reverses, most autopart stores will test the battery and the alternator for free.
100% agree with you on that. However I found my issue. Blown fuse. The dome fuse under the hood to be exact. It’s no wonder the lights on my rock sliders stopped working. Lol I hate those things. They always get water in them especially because I live in the Midwest. They continue to flicker and one of them is out. I think I might have to go ahead and cut the lights off and seal the wiring because I don’t see them staying dry.
