So, I have aftermarket digital gauges in my TA, as well as a digital vacuum gauge (different brand). I'm having an issue where the "7 segment displays" are losing segments steadily. They seem to just all be slowly burning out, and I'm wondering if I have some sort of alternator problem? Like, it's throwing off some weird "noise" and the little led displays are sensitive to it?

I will say, the only led gauge I have that HASN'T had this problem is my wideband o2, BUT, it isn't powered directly from the car, the gauge gets its power through the wideband controller, so I feel like this supports the theory that there's some electronic "noise" somewhere, and it's being filtered out by the wideband controller in that instance.

Also, might be related, the wideband o2 gauge also tends to flash an error code a LOT more often when my A/C is on? Since the A/C turning on is generally the only time my cooling fans kick on, I'm wondering if THEY are producing some noise, that the o2 sensor is freaking out about?

I just seem to have a general electronics issue and I'm looking for a common cause. The ground for the gauge cluster is a wire straight to the engine block, which seems ideal? It's power supply is the original gauge cluster power wire as well.

It's driving me crazy!

 

If they are intellitronix gauges thats completely normal for leds to burn out frequently, they use inferior parts from china to save money, on the bright side they do have a lifetime warranty.

 

Well the gauge cluster is Intellitronix yeah, the vacuum gauge is glow shift I think. Damn that sucks. I got mine refurbished from them, so it doesn't have the lifetime warranty I don't think.

More importantly, I'm not willing to change out gauges every month, that's just ridiculous!

 

i haven't even driven my 1984 TA yet because i'm still building it and i've already sent my intellitronix gauges back TWICE to be repaired.

 

Yep I was in the same boat after a couple months and 4 replacement gauge sets I was done messing with there trash. Money lost lesson learned.