Okay, here's a weird one that's been happening more often lately:

Every once in a while, when I start my '91 z28. The car turns over, drives normally, and everything seems fine. Then I look down at the dash, and the Brake(!) light is lit up and the needle on the temp gauge is buried. My E-brake isn't engaged, nor is my engine hot. Everything is fine. Typically, I can shut off the car, and restart and everything is reading properly again.

My first suspect is obviously the computer. But are these weird symptoms common or indicative of some other problem? I probably won't rank this high on my to do list, because it still occurs rarely, and there seem to be no ill results. Should I be more concerned?

Thanks for any help!
-Kevin

 

mine does this every once in awhile. With mine it is the key sticks half way btw start and run. It is in the light test mode. e brake light on and gauges buried. I dont know if the check eng light comes on or not mine is disconnected (no computer). Next time it does it try turning the key a little and see if it doesnt fix it

 

you may want to check all the ground leads from your engine also.

 

You can take that "computer" idea right off you list. The dash instruments don't have any connection to it. The only thing the ECM will operate is the MIL.

 

I didnt say the computer had anything to do with it. I just said that i wasnt sure if my check eng. light came on when the key sticks in that position because i have my computer disconnected

 

My '82 did something similar a while back...I'd hit the right turn signal, and every time it flashed my tach, oil pressure, and voltage gauges would bounce around. Turned out the mylar circuit board that feeds the gauges and gauge lights was damaged. If you remove your gauge cluster, it's on the back of it. Visually inspect all the copper traces for cracks, chances are you'll find one based on the problem you described.

For repair, I just scraped back the plastic insulation and soldered the copper trace back together. Quick splash of lacquer to re-insulate that area and it went back together. You could hit the junkyard for a replacement also, up to you.

 

Hey guys!
Thanks for the (as always) prompt and accurate help provided!

For the record, it WAS the key sticking, or maybe not the key iteself, but something triggered by the cylinder position. I haven't taken it apart, but if I jiggle the cylinder when its happening, something snaps back into position and everything reads normally. I should have tried that in the first place.
thanks again!
-Kevin