Gauge fluctuation?

[Vertnut]

My '95 gets driven very little, especially at night. What would make the oil pressure and temp gauges read higher with the headlights on? It's an immediate jump when I hit the headlight switch. Thanks.

[91CoupeMike]

I believe they run off a voltage reference. With the lights on the system voltage drops and the gauges read inaccurate.

I know fox body's have a real bad problem with the temp gauge, when you turn the lights on it goes up a few marks. If you have the car off key on and flip the lights the gauge will peg out hot.

To my knowledge it has to do with the cars being under powered from the factory. The 95 has the 3G alt, but I'm sure there is room for improvement. If you are worried about it, do a "big 3" upgrade to get the most amp flow from your alt.

Hope that helps.

[Vertnut]

Thanks for the suggestion. I didn't know if it might be a ground issue.

[rz5.0]

Check make sure you are getting good ground to the block.