Instrument panel guages work one day the not the next, whats the problem?

Easy test ground the sensor wire to ground(intake manifold) the guage should max out if not check for power on the back of the instrument panel at the guage if you have power on one side ground the other side if it works .If grounding it at the guage makes it work bad connection at the sensor or broken wire

USA answer, not in usa , ignore my post or post country?
it can only be 3 problems, alldata.com covers the simple tests.
1: bad sender (if scan tool shows ECT reads right, its not this)
2: bad wires (conns) ECU/pcm to gauge.
3:bad gauge.
see:
factory FSM or alldata.com.

here is your type system, its no longer independent like in older years
quote:
The coolant temperature information is conveyed to the instrument panel, through the PCM, from the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) gauge sending unit. To test the gauge sending unit, first test the gauge operation to make sure the problem is not in the gauge or gauge wiring.
end quote.

my guess ? bad connection to I/P gauge cluster (rear)
do this only after scanning (any scan tool works) the ECU OBD2 port to see if temperature is normal at the ECT but Guage lies.
that is it. only testing wires an gauge, works from this point.

If all voltages checked ok,then most probably its faulty instrument cluster board on which gauges are connected.Yes if cluster circuit board looks ok,then also it can be faulty.Somewhere there is minute short or burn on board then such prolem arises.
Also check the fuse box.One under hood and other under dash.Inspect each and every fuse and see if all are fine or not.
---------------For more troubleshooting on these cluster gauges i suggest you to refer the list of help links mentioned below.Its step by step instructions will help you to confirm the exact cause of problem in these conditions:---------
Click the link below:------

2004 Toyota Tundra: Oil Gauge and Temp Gauge Not Working?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2004-toyota-tundra-oil-gauge-and-temp.html

--------------

2005 Lexus SC430: Fuel Door, Dome light and Fuel Gauge Fuse Location?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2005-lexus-sc430-fuel-door-will-not.html
----------

Toyota 4Runner: Temperature Gauge Sensor

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/toyota-4runner-temperature-gauge-sensor.html
------------

Temperature gauge sits over half way mark?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/temperature-gauge-sits-over-half-way.html

---------------

Heater blows intermittently and temp gauge goes erratic?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/heater-blows-intermittently-and-temp.html

----------

Temperature gauge does not move and no heat when heater is ON?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-does-not-move-and-no.html

-----------

2003 Pontiac Grand Prix: Erratic Fuel Gauge?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2003-pontiac-grand-prix-erratic-fuel.html

-----------

Temperature gauge keeps fluctuating up and down close to red?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-keeps-fluctuating-up.html

-------------

Temperature gauge on the dash quit working on Pontiac Grand Prix?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-on-dash-quit-working.html

---------------

Fuel gauge jumps from empty to full?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/fuel-gauge-jumps-from-empty-to-full.html

--------------

Gas gauge stuck on empty on 2002 Mercedes Benz 240c?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/gas-gauge-stuck-on-empty-on-2002.html
---------------

• Oldsmobile Temperature Gauge Lamp Switch?

-----------------

Fuel gauge drops to Empty?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/fuel-gauge-drops-to-empty.html

----------------

Dodge neon gauges not working?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-neon-gauges-not-working.html

------------

Temperature gauge went up?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/temperature-gauge-went-up.html

------------

Temperature gauge stays At cold on jaguar?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/temperature-gauge-stays-at-cold-on.html
-----------

How to replace Instrument panel and dashboard on Toyota car?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-replace-instrument-panel-and.html

-----------

How to remove instrument panel on Chevrolet car?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-remove-instrument-panel-on.html

-----------

How to remove control panel on Buick regal?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-remove-control-panel-on-buick.html
---------------
These details will help.Thanks.

If all voltages checked ok, then most probably its faulty instrument cluster board on which gauges are connected. Yes if cluster circuit board looks ok, then also it can be faulty. Somewhere there is minute short or burn on board then such problem arises.

Also check the fuse box. One under hood and other under dash.

Inspect each and every fuse and see if all are fine or not.

---------------

For more troubleshooting on these cluster gauges I suggest you to refer the list of help links mentioned below. Its step by step instructions will help you to confirm the exact cause of problem in these conditions: ---------

Click the link below: ------

2004 Toyota Tundra: Oil Gauge and Temp Gauge Not Working?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2004-toyota-tundra-oil-gauge-and-temp.html

--------------

2005 Lexus SC430: Fuel Door, Dome light and Fuel Gauge Fuse Location?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2005-lexus-sc430-fuel-door-will-not.html

----------

Toyota 4Runner: Temperature Gauge Sensor

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/toyota-4runner-temperature-gauge-sensor.html

------------

Temperature gauge sits over half way mark?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/temperature-gauge-sits-over-half-way.html

---------------

Heater blows intermittently and temp gauge goes erratic?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/heater-blows-intermittently-and-temp.html

----------

Temperature gauge does not move and no heat when heater is ON?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-does-not-move-and-no.html

-----------

2003 Pontiac Grand Prix: Erratic Fuel Gauge?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2003-pontiac-grand-prix-erratic-fuel.html

-----------

Temperature gauge keeps fluctuating up and down close to red?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-keeps-fluctuating-up.html

-------------

Temperature gauge on the dash quit working on Pontiac Grand Prix?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-on-dash-quit-working.html

---------------

Fuel gauge jumps from empty to full?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/fuel-gauge-jumps-from-empty-to-full.html

--------------

Gas gauge stuck on empty on 2002 Mercedes Benz 240c?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/gas-gauge-stuck-on-empty-on-2002.html

---------------

• Oldsmobile Temperature Gauge Lamp Switch?

-----------------

Fuel gauge drops to Empty?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/fuel-gauge-drops-to-empty.html

----------------

Dodge neon gauges not working?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-neon-gauges-not-working.html

------------

Temperature gauge went up?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/temperature-gauge-went-up.html

------------

Temperature gauge stays At cold on jaguar?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/temperature-gauge-stays-at-cold-on.html

-----------

How to replace Instrument panel and dashboard on Toyota car?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-replace-instrument-panel-and.html

-----------

How to remove instrument panel on Chevrolet car?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-remove-instrument-panel-on.html

-----------

How to remove control panel on Buick regal?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-remove-control-panel-on-buick.html

---------------

These details will help.

Thanks.

you need to replace the temperature switch, that will solve your problem with the gauge and most likely the fan also.

If all the guages quit working at the same time, then it is probably a blown fuse. Check your fuse panels in the dash or under the hood. Look for a fuse that is labeled instrument panel or guages, it is probably blown.

Checked Every fuse in the fuse box (no small task).This includes #4 - Power point Instrument Panel, #14 - Day time running lamps (auto lamps doesn't work nor does auto lock), #27 - ignition switch run feed, #35 - Instrument Cluster, #41 - Instrument Cluster, #42 - Delayed Accessory, #45 - Ignition switch run/start feed, #102 - Door locks body security module, #103 - Ignition switch, #110 - Ignition switch, & #116 - Ignition switch. But I also check all other ones as well, they all register OK. AC panel & radio work. Turn signals work. Mileage does not work, trip computer does. So, basically, everything works except auto head-lights, auto locks, and the dash cluster (no MPH, RPM, mileage display, Fuel, Temp, Tran Temp, and Oil Pressure).

Hi, this is a pretty common problem on these Silverado instrument clusters. We can help you out with that! Click here to learn more about these Silverado instrument cluster problems: Dr Speedometer Instrument Cluster Repair Speedometer Repair Guage...

hello,good day,maybe your cluster nearly damage,send to your dealer,they have a testing procedure(simulation all the gauges), to determine if your cluster is defective,ty

There is a temperature sensor likely to be on your radiator. Make sure the connection is plugged in. Sometimes un-plugging and plugging it back will correct the issue. If not, you'll have to have some check if the sensor is faultly or if the electric wire is fault. You can check your fuse box. I don't think it's a fuse because other things on your instrument cluster would also not work.