Ok, I have a question about the gauge cluster on my 89 Trans Am..when the car is first turned to start, the key forward is the gauges supposed to go into some kind of "test" mode where all the gauges pin themselves and then fall into position after the car has been started? My car has lately been reading some preety dumb readings on the oil pressure gauge..i havnt yet got to attach a mechanical gauge to see if its something internal is dead, or if its just a sensor or what not...if there is a such a test mode..which way would the oil gauge pin? all the way to 60? I really hope this is just a sending unit or something, and not a dead oil pump or bearing or something..any other ways to test teh gauge to see if its working properly?

Thanks

 

not all at once now...

 

On my 88 IROC the gauges for the oil and temp do the same thing. Peg when starting and settle back down. If your'e not getting any reading from your oil pressure gauge or if its reading really weird, then i suggest on going ahead and replacing the sending unit. Its really easy and its typically the problem for the wacky gauges 99.9999999% of the time. And its a cheap and straightforward fix.

 

Only the temp guage is supposed to peg on 89 models. Other guages simply react to conditions i.e., oil presssure, voltmeter.

 

Ahhh, thanks Danno, thats, uh, kind of what i want to hear..well it is, i just hope its the gauge/sending unit and not the motor itself