gauge problems

stangguywitascuby · Post by **stangguywitascuby** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 2:24 am

my beater is a 1990 Legacy sportshift auto 2.2l.

problem is the gauge cluster. its gone stupid on me. none of the gauges work "all the time". its been doing it for quite a while.

the tach will usually work, but its not always a given. all the other gauges are just complete randomness in when they work.

ive taken the cluster out and checked all the connections. everything checked out to be fine.

and ive also heard of alot of other peoples older scoobys around here with the cluster doing the same thing. so im thinking maybe its a somewhat common problem. but maybe not.

just looking for some help as far as what to look for/ replace goes. this is my beater so to say, and i definately need it to be functional. especially now since im actually driving it.

any help is greatly appreciated

paf · Post by **paf** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 3:13 am

sportshift??? is that aftermarket??? my mom's 2003 legacy gt has sportshift auto... i would like that
explain...

stangguywitascuby · Post by **stangguywitascuby** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 3:16 am

the sportshift is stock.

there is a button on the shifter lever that switches it from auto to manual shifting.

paf · Post by **paf** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 3:25 am

oh ok the manual mode button...

stangguywitascuby · Post by **stangguywitascuby** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 3:29 am

i call it sportshift. and it is essentially. dunno what its called amongst scooby enthusiests. but thats what i call it

91White-T · Post by **91White-T** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 3:51 am

Actually all it does is keep the tranny out of first if you push it on and put it in 2, and keeps 2 and 3 only if you put it in 3

legacy92ej22t · Post by **legacy92ej22t** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 5:41 am

it would be a shame to get a turbo legacy for just a "beater" IMO.a little love and and a lot less money and the GT would be in the rearview mirror

stangguywitascuby · Post by **stangguywitascuby** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 6:29 am

well. i doubt that

not taking anything away from them, just have a bit done to the Stang. so itd take a bit!

back to the question though. anyone have any ideas about my problem?

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 1:48 pm

Taken from my site:

Manual Button

The manual button has some controversy as two what its function is. But I'm here to disavow any of those rumors. Firstly, the automatic transmission normally runs a power split of 90% front 10% rear. This is under normal driving conditions. Secondly, the manual button ONLY works when the shift lever indicator is in the positions "3" or "2".

Ok, so you're ready to hear what this thingy does. It is a very primitive version of traction control. When the shift lever is either 3 or 2, and the manual button is depressed, it will keep the transmission from going into first gear. By doing this, you have less torque, more evenly distributed power, and a less chance to slip and slide around.

So to recap, when the shift lever is in the 2 position the transmission stays in 2nd gear. When the shift lever is in the 3 position the transmission chooses between 2nd and 3rd gear. If the shift lever is any other position then the two above, the manual button does absolutely positively nothing.

Brat4by4 · Post by **Brat4by4** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 2:42 pm

Now if only someone would answer his question about the gauges...

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 4:17 pm

It's either the gauges or the signal going to gauges. Without testing both a little more thoroughly, it's hard to say.

You mentioned you tested the gauges? How did you test them?

stangguywitascuby · Post by **stangguywitascuby** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 7:41 pm

well. first off. on the off topic discussion of the manual mode button. mine may be broke, or a fluke. but it does hold it in gear in all gears. if i use it in manual mode, start out in 1st gear. it will not go to 2nd, until i knock the lever up. all through 1, 2, and 3rd

its also will keep it engaged in whatever gear its in while stopped. like if its in manual mode, 3rd gear at a stop light. and you dont bring it back down. youll try and take off in 3rd!

and it will downshift too!. if i have it in 3rd, downshift it to 2nd. it will downshift!

so maybe its broke. maybe its a fluke. but it works. and works alot better than it sounds like yalls works IMHO (from that discription)

now as far as the gauges go. maybe tell me where all the connections for the gauges are. im a ford guy at heart, not much up on the scoobys. although im learning! like wheres the speedo cable at on the tranny? what about the other gauges! where are their senders located.

thanks

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 9:35 pm

Im going to post another thread about the manual button. Look for it soon.

Post by **Legacy777** » Tue Jul 01, 2003 2:12 am

What you described is normal operation of the shifter lever. You don't need to press the manual button for this behavior to occur.

The manual lists a couple test readings for various readings. It's really not too descriptive though, or very easy for normal user.

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gauge problems

gauge problems