'04 Tribute:Gages peg, go to zero, then go back to normal - Why?

[mikellang]

I hope someone can shed some light on this strange problem I'm having w/ my '04 Mazda Tribute. I've taken it to the dealer on two separate occasions and they can't identify the problem. Upon start-up and at times during normal driving, the instrument cluster gages will peg, go back down to zero, then go to the proper levels. I'm very concerned as I believe this may be causing some damage to the electrical system of my vehicle.
Has anyone run into this problem, or do you have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Mike

[AlohaBra]

Originally Posted by mikellang

I hope someone can shed some light on this strange problem I'm having w/ my '04 Mazda Tribute. I've taken it to the dealer on two separate occasions and they can't identify the problem. Upon start-up and at times during normal driving, the instrument cluster gages will peg, go back down to zero, then go to the proper levels. I'm very concerned as I believe this may be causing some damage to the electrical system of my vehicle.
Has anyone run into this problem, or do you have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Mike

I don't know about damage, but they should fix it. Call the Mazda zone service manager and insist on it. That is one of my complaints about this vehicle, the lack luster dealer service network. I had to go to another city for a better service department.

[RootLevel]

I have an 04 Tribute as well that does this same thing. Dealership says that they cant duplicate the problem because it never seems to do it when I drop it off so they can look at it. And since they cant see the problem they cant fix it.

[AlohaBra]

I think this is caused by loss of power. I am not driving my Tribute regularly right now, so I disconnect the battery to prevent battery drain. Well, every time I reconnect the battery to drive the car, the instruments act just like you described.

So, check for loose or poor power connection to the instrument pack.