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Voltmeter Inaccurate

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer and 1997 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Start engine and observe voltmeter. If voltmeter does not operate, go to next step. If voltmeter needle is at mid-scale in NORMAL band, voltmeter is okay. If voltmeter needle is below or above mid-scale, check battery and charging system and repair or replace as necessary. If voltmeter needle is below or above mid-scale and battery and charging system are okay, replace voltmeter and retest system. See GAUGES  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
    NOTE: Some models may have a calibrated 190 ohm resistor in printed circuit between battery input and gauge.
  2. Turn ignition switch off. Remove instrument cluster. See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Measure resistance of printed circuit between voltmeter gauge clips and instrument cluster connector C286, terminal No 13 and instrument cluster connector C287, terminal No. 2. See Figure and Figure .
  3. If all resistances are less than 5 ohms (180-200 ohms for circuit with resistor), replace voltmeter. See GAUGES  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. If any resistance is more than 5 ohms (180-200 ohms for circuit with resistor), replace instrument cluster printed circuit. See PRINTED CIRCUIT  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
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