Instrument Needles Fluttering

Instrument Needles Fluttering was created by mgtf85

Posted 4 years 8 months ago #192644
Car is a 2010 MGTF 85th Anniversary. On entering the car sometimes (not always) the speedometer, tachometer and fuel gauge needles flutter, moving up and down about 5mm for perhaps 4 or 5 times and then stop clattering slightly as they move. The car runs well but I wonder whether someone else has had this problem and what the solution was?
by mgtf85

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Replied by Cobber on topic Instrument Needles Fluttering

Posted 4 years 8 months ago #192645

mgtf85 wrote: On entering the car sometimes

Like when you open and close the door?............sounds like it might be a bad earth somewhere,in a circuit using the door switches like the interior lights or the alarm. The the current finding it's way to ground through the instrument circuit.

"Keep calm, relax, focus on the problem & PULL THE BLOODY TRIGGER"

by Cobber

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Replied by mgtf85 on topic Instrument Needles Fluttering

Posted 4 years 8 months ago #192647
It certainly sometimes happens as I get in the car or am working on the car but I can only partially open the door to the car in my garage due to the garage width (1930's house garage probably built for an Austin 7). It sometimes happens before the car door is shut, as if I am working on the car with the door partially open in the garage it can occur. Thinking about it though I don't think I have seen the issue when I have been out and can fully open the door so it might be something to do with the door switch/interior lights etc. as you suggest. I will have to do some more investigation when the weather is better and I can get the car outside, but it appears to be one of those irritating electrical problems that is intermittent and difficult to replicate.
by mgtf85

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Replied by Cobber on topic Instrument Needles Fluttering

Posted 4 years 8 months ago #192651
Actually if it only occurs with a partially open door, then the scenario I suggested makes some more sense.
The current would be arcing across the switch contacts when they're not quite touching, casing your earthing problem.

"Keep calm, relax, focus on the problem & PULL THE BLOODY TRIGGER"

by Cobber

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