check guages lamp

[chuck's]

In my 99 suburban with a 5.7 engine,the check guages lamp will come on at first start up and will flicker on and off until it appears that the temperature guage gets to about the 40 on the scale.The oil pressure guage will read about the 275 mark on its scale.Looking in the sevice manual the check guages lamp should only illuminate when the temp is hot or very low oil pressure.Looking at the wiring schematic for the instument panel,there is what is labelled "Check Guages Lamp Driver".This item seems to control when the lamp will illuminate.Two wires connect the oil pressure and the engine tempurature guages to the DRIVER.I am suspecting that if the DRIVER has or is failing,the entire cluster has to be replaced.
Has anyone had simmilar problems with the check guages lamp illuminating for no apparent reason?Your help would be greatly appreciated.
chuck's

[777stickman]

Chuck's: I've got a '99 Sub K2500 7.4 "old body style". Did the "Hypertech" thing. I change wheels and tires twice a year. Stock size studs for winter and a bit bigger for summer. The hypertech lets me adjust the speedo for the differences in tire size. Whenever I do that the fuel guage goes to full tilt and the "check gauges" light comes on until the PCM reflash is done. So to try and answer your ? that light indicates that "one" of the panel gauges is out of whack. I'll look in my '98 service manual and see what it says tomorrow.........Steve

[chuck's]

Thanks for your response.What does confuse me is that my service manual tells me the the lamp only monitors oil pressure and engine temperature.By saying that one of the guages is out of whack and the light comes on somewhat contradicts the service manual.Don't get me wrong but ,I do appreciate the input.I am using the 99 GM service manual.I do hope there is a simple answer as to why the light is coming on.I will try and ask a GM dealer and see what response I will get.

chuck's

[777stickman]

Chuck's: My '98 manual agrees with you. Low oil press or high coolant temp. My manual says if the light comes on to refer to "A powertrain OBD system check" in Engine Controls.

[chuck's]

I called a dealership today and they said exactly the same as you.It affects all the guages.It was suggested to get a scan of the computer to check for body codes.I'm going to see if the scanner at my work will pick anything out of the computer.Interesting how the manual says one thing and you get a complete ly different response from other sources.All guages appear to be functioing normally,but it could be that the signal to the check guages lamp driver has gotten corrupted.
chuck's

[chuck's]

The other day I borrowed a Snap-on scanner to check for body codes.The dealer mentioned that there should be a code in the memory of the computer.After about fifteen minutes with the scanner,the suburban wouldn't start.Recharged the battery and it started.I then went and purchased a new battery,because in the fall,a load test indicated it was on its way out.Since the change two days ago,the check guages lamp has not flashed on the dash.I'm hoping that the battery was the culprit and the vehicle was telling me so.I guess that the check guages lamp does monitor all the guages.If things change I will post details.
Chuck's

[777stickman]

Hey Chuck's, good to hear from you. Just put my studs on and reprogrammed for the smaller tires. The "check gauges" light was on the whole time. Just thinking back to the old days. Low oil press=red light, High coolant temp=red light, volts or amps out of whack=red light, Fuel gauge out of whack=call someone to bring you more gas!!!! Really don't think the fuel gauge should set the "check gauges" light and sorry I sent you in that direction. Really hope you've got the thing fixed with the new batt. If it ever does come on again, flash a look at all the gauges and see if one is out of whack. If they all look normal, it could be the driver itself???......Steve

[chuck's]

Recent update.The other night the speedo,tach,gearshift indicator became non functional.The check guages lamp came on followed by the the service engine lamp.Pulled five codes all relating to shift solenoids and torque converter circuit.PO753,740,758,785 and 1860.I just changed the ignition switch in the vehicle to correct the problem.It appears that the solenoids get ignition power through fuse 20, the shift indicator and the check guages lamp also.Turning the key on and pulling fuse 20,the indicator and lamp go off.I also had a collegue at work repair a pick up with very similar if not exact same problems.I may have jumped the gun without investigating further, but the wife was taking the burb out of town.The ignition switch may have been the problem all along,but I did need a new battery.If things change,updates will be provided.
chuck's

[nmcarguy]

This is my exact problem. Did you replace the ignition switch with new key cylinder or did you replace the electrical ignition box under key cylinder? Thanks for any quick response.

Originally Posted by chuck's

Recent update.The other night the speedo,tach,gearshift indicator became non functional.The check guages lamp came on followed by the the service engine lamp.Pulled five codes all relating to shift solenoids and torque converter circuit.PO753,740,758,785 and 1860.I just changed the ignition switch in the vehicle to correct the problem.It appears that the solenoids get ignition power through fuse 20, the shift indicator and the check guages lamp also.Turning the key on and pulling fuse 20,the indicator and lamp go off.I also had a collegue at work repair a pick up with very similar if not exact same problems.I may have jumped the gun without investigating further, but the wife was taking the burb out of town.The ignition switch may have been the problem all along,but I did need a new battery.If things change,updates will be provided.
chuck's

[chuck's]

I replaced the electrical ignition box and its wiring that is under the key cylinder.

chuck's

[nmcarguy]

That was what the problem was. It's fixed. Everyone, Thanx.