[chalecelauren]

1987 USDM Suzuki Samurai JX, bone stock.

My temp gauge is pegging far above the top limit, pretty much out of the gauge after warm up. Engine is running at normal temp after shooting it with IR gun.

Fuel gauge reads 1/4 tank when it’s empty.

I have tested 3 different temperature sensors on a different 1987 Suzuki samurai and they all work properly on that one. They all peg out of the gauge.

I have heard it could be the ground however all the other functions of the cluster works. I have also heard there is a voltage regulator that can go bad. I saw someone else’s post that mentioned it can happen if the gauge and sensors are mismatched but the temp sensor was tested on the same exact spec Suzuki I had.

Hey there, my 89 Sidekick has issues with the entire cluster, no odometer, no speedo, temp gauge unreliable, and gas gauge always showing 1/4 tank or completely empty, my 4WD light comes on and glows glows brighter depending on my RPMs even when I'm not in 4 wheel, and only mRPM gauge works correctly. I was told: These vehicles are some of the most HAULED in America, and in order to reflect true mileage on the motor, the cluster gauge is made to be disconnected while towing, also the gauge gears are plastic and wear out after the years. Some dont get reconnected, some get reconnected incorrectly, and some are broken or worn out during the practice. I do not have a "fix it" answer, but I do know our odo/speedo's are exempt from safety inspection. Good luck

 

[fordem]

Hey there, my 89 Sidekick has issues with the entire cluster, no odometer, no speedo, temp gauge unreliable, and gas gauge always showing 1/4 tank or completely empty, my 4WD light comes on and glows glows brighter depending on my RPMs even when I'm not in 4 wheel, and only mRPM gauge works correctly. I was told: These vehicles are some of the most HAULED in America, and in order to reflect true mileage on the motor, the cluster gauge is made to be disconnected while towing, also the gauge gears are plastic and wear out after the years. Some dont get reconnected, some get reconnected incorrectly, and some are broken or worn out during the practice. I do not have a "fix it" answer, but I do know our odo/speedo's are exempt from safety inspection. Good luck

chalecelauren - first up, Sidekicks & Samurais are different vehicles with different clusters, and moving on, don't believe everything you're told - the gauge cluster is no different to any other gauge cluster when it comes to being disconnected & reconnected - no one in their right mind would even try to pull the cluster to disconnect the cable at that end when it's so much easier to do at the other.

If you want to prevent odometer from recording the "towed distance, the easiest way is to get under and pop the speedometer cable loose from the transfer case, there used to be electrical disconnects to make this easier - the speedometer is purely mechanical, disconnecting it has ZERO impact on the electrical side of the cluster - the tach and the fuel & temp are NOT affected.