Probably a bad ground; they are some times more than one ground too, check them all; make a new one if you have too.
It is possible there is a short circuit on your brake light circuit which is pulling the voltage down causing the gauges to go haywire.
Fuse panel cavity #8. Fuse is 5 amp and tan in colour. The circuits are as follows; fuel,voltage, oil and temp gauges. Chimes, warning lamp module, seat belt warning lights and mechanical cluster circuit board.
In my 1990 Plymouth Acclaim owners manual Shows:Cavity = 8 Fuse = 5 amp, Tan Circuits = Fuel, voltage, oil, and temp, gauges, chimes, warning lamp module, seat belt warning and brake warning lights mechanical cluster circuit board. comment: I had my "distributor pick-up" replaced. car would just die out, while i was driving.
i had the exact same problem with our 91 voyager, i cleaned the battery terminals and the problem went away immediately
We have had a similar thing happen twice with our 1991 Plymouth Acclaim (about 140,000 miles). Both times replacing the headlight switch solved the problem. We just replaced the switch for the second time today. It cost about $20 at NAPA. It requires removing the dash panels which you can do by carefully pulling on them. We did the panel under the switch first, the one over the heater and radio second and the big one that is around the instrument panel and over the headlight switch last. You have to be very careful so you don't break anything. You might want to consult a manual to see if there are any tricks to removing the panels. Once the panel over the switch has been removed you should be able to replace the switch without too much trouble.
if you're talking about the stock gauges as in the tach or speedo, two options one stretched or pinched cables, two if your talking about the misc. bs lights that pop up as gauges probably a ground
The check gauges light comes on when one of the guages is out side of the safe zone. It could be battery voltage, oil pressure, engine temp....
Could be low battery power. Not enough to start the engine.
Major misreadings on gauges of a 1965 Plymouth Valiant can be caused by several factors, including faulty or corroded wiring connections, malfunctioning sending units, or damaged gauges themselves. Additionally, issues like poor ground connections and battery problems may also affect gauge accuracy. Regular maintenance and inspection of electrical components can help identify and resolve these issues.
Go to the library and get a Chilton's Repair Manual for your year Plymouth.
When all the gauges go haywire and the vehicle dies, it often indicates an electrical issue, such as a failing battery, a bad alternator, or a problem with the ignition system. The fact that it dings when you insert the keys suggests that some power is still reaching the electrical components, but not enough to start the engine. Other potential issues could include a faulty ignition switch or a problem with the vehicle's computer system. It's advisable to have the electrical system and battery checked to diagnose the root cause.
You need a set of gauges and a can tap and several cans of R134. The low preasure connector is on or close to the receiver dryer.