Electrical problem - dash gauges and windows not working

[JWalker]

Hi there: i have a 1998 Nissan Terrano with ~190k on the clock. Today i was checking the brake pads (the are making squeaking noises). I put it all back together and started up the truck to move it back to its parking place.

Truck starts and i move it, but when i turned on the ignition, the rev counter bounces (0-500rpm), the fuel gauge is stuck on full (had < half a tank), the temp gauge jumps to Hot, the speedo reads '0', Odometer is now 999,999 and there is no power to the windows (two are currently down as well). Its weird that playing with the drivers brake calliper has resulted in this?

So i have checked every fuse (all ok). Hooked it up to a scanner (no error codes). Gave up since at is now dark but i will be trawling the workshop manual tonight, scratching my head and muttering a few curse words!

Anyone have ant advice to trouble shoot this?

Thanks

[kbushnz]

I have had strange things happen electrically when the alternator regulator went on the fritz...Gauges went haywire....

[JWalker]

I have had strange things happen electrically when the alternator regulator went on the fritz...Gauges went haywire....

Correct me if i'm wrong but one alternator test is to test voltage across the battery when rev-ing the engine? Revs go up: voltage goes up = alternator ok (yes/no?)

Have done a diagnostic check on the gauges: Everything seems to be working as per the diagnostic check list. However, one of the repair steps to replace the meter control unit assembly....

Will check power and ground in the morning...

Glad kiwi saver can be tapped into now!!

[kbushnz]

No engine running should get about 12v.
With engine running the alternator should pump out 13.5 to 14 odd volts...

If higher or lower something is wrong...

[JWalker]

Alternator seems to be fine, its pumping out 13.7v while she's running,

I ran power from the battery to the main window switch on the drivers door to wind the windows up. chalk up 1 win!

Had the gauges out and resistance test the tacho, fuel and temp gauges. They were all 90-200 ohms... work shop manual didn't have specs for my gauges only for gauges with fine vision meter(??) and resistance should be around 200-300....

Checked all fuses again (under the hood and in the fuse box) and even swapped a few around to make sure...had a look behind the fuse box and found another fuse (thats ok)....

Any bright ideas?

[tow99]

have you tried disconnecting the battery and leaving it off for half a day.work great on the crysler when it decided to freak out

[JWalker]

Will disconnect battery tonight and see what happens after work Monday. Looks like it may be a visit to the auto sparkies (bugger, i'd like to DIY this)