|
Behind the two gauges (temperature and fuel level), there's a gizmo (scientific term) that ensures a reliable (steady) voltage to these two gauges' circuits. Good news - if you're handy with soldering and circuit boards, it's replaceable!
Symptoms: (1) your two gauges fluctuate, (2) they are affected by stepping on the brake pedal, and (3) they both (gas and temp) are plagued by this problem....
It's the voltage stabilizer -- this is the only thing that the two gauges have in common, and this is consistent with your symptoms.
Why you have a voltage stabilizer, and why do we think this is the problem (and I'll keep it very, very simple -- engineers, please be tolerant of this simplicity):
Both gauges rely on the same principle, Ohm's law. Both gauges work by measuring how much electricity flows through them (current), and what affects that current are two things, resistance and voltage. Both gauge's "senders" operate by changing their resistance (either based on engine coolant's temperature or the depth of fuel in the tank). So that leaves voltage as the remaining factor that can affect the gauge's readings. But we want the gauge to only be affected by the resistance in their senders, so we want to keep the voltage constant.
Unfortunately, the voltage from the car's electrical system varies -- when you've just started the car, after a long drive, and most important, when you use accessories (even stepping on the brakes). So this would make the gauges' readings change all the time. So the solution? Ensure that these two gauges always get the same, reliable, steady amount of voltage! Thus, we have the voltage stabilizer, which takes the car's varying voltage and makes it steady and trustworthy (until it breaks, like in your car).
Hope this helped.
|
