ultragauge causing car not to start
 

Hi,

I have an ultrgauge and a Saturn s- series. Recently the car would not turn over, so I replaced the starter. I don't know if you ever replaced a starter on a saturn, but is a b_tch to get to. It took me 4 hours. Ha I won, so I thought, the car started fine twice, but then it did not. I started checking fuses and the clutch switch. I unplugged the ultragauge, and the car started, plugged it in , and did not start. I did this 5 times and each time it was plugged in the car did not start. The ultragauge is causing my car not to start, and I am upset for all the toil I went through. I love the gauge functions but some aspects of it I don't like.

when the UG is plugged in is the starter not even attempting to turn over or is there slight slow movement? If this is the problem it could be a low battery. which when the UG is plugged in it can drain the battery in under 2 days.

nothing when plugged in. everything when not. is NOT a low battery

have you tried the UG in another car to try and replicate the problem in another vehicle? Considering it was working with your car just fine before, if i am correct, something inside the gauge could've gone bad which could make your cars security system to act up when plugged in.

Its a pain, I like to turn off the engine at long lights, but it won't restart sometimes with the gauge plugged in.

i know how you feel one of my favorite cars ive ever had had the same problem. i never figured out if it was the security or the safety neutral switch before i sold it tho. it is a pain but at least you can unplug it and know it will start, im willing to bet something inside the gauge went out:confused:

Contacting the manufacturer or a look on their web site might provide some information, if not done already.

I think this is correct. It is indicated by the fact that the problem is intermittent, but only if the UG is engaged. It never fails to start if the UG is not plugged-in, right? So the UG is defective. Contact the company and ask for a replacement.

My ford windstar has a similar problem with the UltraGauge. If you go out to the car and open a door for more than a few minutes without starting it, then come back in the next two days or more, the battery will drained with the UG installed. Without the UG installed it doesn't seem affected.

Obviously the UG doesn't draw enough power on it's own to drain a large car battery. I think the problems is tied into a circuit in the interior lighting system to auto turn off the interior lights after 7 minutes. I know that I have fooled it with a trailer hooked up. You turn out the lights to park the car with the trailer attached and after 7 minutes the car lights come back on. In all other respects the trailer lights work perfectly. I am pretty sure that the Ultra Gauge does something similar.

whats happening is when the ultragauge is plugged in it is fooling the car to think the systems are still running which drains the battery. By itself it would take a long time to drain the battery, but if it keeps the cars on then the battery will drain much faster. I currently have this problem which is why i unplug the UG if i leave my car off for longer than overnight. On Thursday im sending my UG in for the newest update to hope the new power off options fix the problem

I know the interior light fuse also connects to the ultragauge. I am going to reset the gauge and if that doesn't work I will return it, it's warrantied for 1 year.

I would try doing a factory reset on the UG and/or choosing "Force J1850-VPM" protocol on the UG setup. From an UG manual:

"The Scanning process can interfere with proprietary implementations of the OBD II connector/interface. For example, on some vehicles the traction control light becomes lit, or the speedometer or other gauges may stop functioning, the transmission may shift hard or not at all, or the check engine light may become lit. To avoid these issues, the Protocol can be fixed to that used by the vehicle. "

Good luck.

Draining the battery WAS a problem with the initial UG's sold, but *supposedly* they had that problem "fixed" by the second or third firmware version...I know, I had one of the first UG's and it DID completely drain my Vibe's battery "dry" in 6 days!

i got my UG in april 2012 and it drains my grand ams battery to the point where the electric locks don't work and it drains from Friday about 3pm to monday to about 930am

Hmm. Was just about to ask for one for Christmas. I can go without for a while longer, assuming the latest batches / firmware fixes this. Should I just hold off?

there was an update as of 10/1/12 which added more power on/off options and the battery voltage gauge was made compatible with more vehicles. Originally UG only did the battery drain on Gm vehicles ie. chevy, pontiac, saturn. but it has been resolved a long time ago but it still drains mine so within this week i plan on sending mine in for the 10/1 update

I have had mine for about 18 months. I move it between my two Fords with OBD2 ports. Neither of which I drive that much.

Without trying, my 85 mercedes is 2 cents a mile less to drive.

I bought my Ultraguage in late 2011, and have it connected 24/7.
Sometimes, I don't drive it for several days. No problems.

Its still causing problems, so I will return it.

I bought my UG in March of 2011 and it's been connected to my '11 Forester ever since. Haven't had any trouble with it discharging anything. Wierd.