Gauges full span at key on?

[91 LSC SE]

Hi Guys,

My M8 hasn't ever went through the full gauges at start up. You know how newer car gauges move through the full spectrum or range, o to 140 mph or 0 to 7000 rpm's.

Well I was at a recycling yard and the 98 M8 there did this. There was still a key with the M8 and I brought a battery pack to check the headlights, the neon and planned to fill the shocks with air and go back in a week to see if they deflated or held the air.

When I supplied power, and turned the key to the "On" position, the gauges did the full sweep from minimum to maximum and back again to resting position. Is there something wrong with my gauges? Or did some 98's do this and others not? ( I can't see this being the case)

FYI I think there is two centre caps for Octastar rims in the back seat. Not sure if these are rare...I have always like those rims and have only seen them one M8 in my area, in the last 8 to 10 years.

 

[chris2523]

never seen a mark viii do that, but i have seen other cars do that after a power loss to the gauge cluster.

 

[Bangster]

My 97 doesn't do that, and the 98 I test drove didn't do that either.

 

[91 LSC SE]

Our F150 does this each time you turn the key to the on position. That is how I noticed it. I'm certain this M8 did each time I turned on the key. When I go back, I will make a video. I think I may by the gauge cluster. I wonder if it was do to not have a good ground? I just used a battery booster pack.
Thanks Chris, glad to hear there is nothing wrong with my M8 gauges.

 

[chris2523]

dead/dying batteries can cause a gauge sweep in the LS. its an early warning sign of sorts for a bad battery.
seeing that you are using booster pack instead of a full battery, this may be dirty enough voltage to cause the gauge calibration sweep thing.

anywho, it's not a regular occurrence, and the cluster in your Mark isn't missing out on anything.

 

[91 LSC SE]

Good to know, thanks Chris!

 

[91 LSC SE]

hey guys my M8 has been sitting while I tried to find a good brake supplier. It was time to do the rear rotors and pads...anyway. If you disconnect the battery for a bit, the gauges will do the full sweep, just as the 98 in the yard did.

I've had my battery disconnected for a few weeks and every time I hook up the battery and turn the key the gauges do completed a full sweep.