First day of rifle deer season, I was up at 5 AM, a little tired...I hoped into the truck with a buddy and was about to start it up. My fault, I was talking and not completely paying attention. I went to start up the truck and didn't turn the ignition the whole way and got that awful clicking starter sounds. So as I realized it I stopped talking and turned it the whole way. But right before I turned it the whole way, the starter gave up. It gave up but the truck still started. But when it started it up, the tachometer and speedometer when jumping and clicking like crazy!

I quickly turned it off, removed the key, waited and started it up again with no problems. Well, except that both trip-odometers were reset. Not sure it caused any damage but it certainly caught me off guard.

Can anyone explain what happened or has it happened to anyone else?

Congratulations. Sounds like you've discovered a new feature!

Never heard of this one before.

Random electrical spike...or...battery is on its last leg.

Random electrical spike...or...battery is on its last leg.

I agree, don't get too far from home, battery is telling you something!!

Vote #3 for the battery.

I'm going to change a few words from sfflyer8's post. This is what happened to me opening day:

First day of rifle deer season, I was up at 5 AM, a little tired...I hopped into the truck with a buddy and was about to start it up. My fault, I was talking and not completely paying attention. I went to start up the truck and didn't turn my butt the whole way in the seat and just jumped in. I got that awful snapping sound. So as I realized it I stopped talking and turned my body the whole way. But right before I turned it the whole way, my back gave up. It gave up but the lower body was still able to turn. But when I started up again out of the seat, the whole thing gave up and I fell to the ground!

I quickly got up, removed my hunting jacket, waited and took some deep breaths with no problems. Well, except that I could not take a step. Not sure it caused any permanent back damage but it certainly caught me off guard.

Can anyone explain what happened or has it happened to anyone else?

Well, I went to the doctor and it was a muscle spasm busting up against my nerve. Anti-inflammatory pills and muscle relaxers did the trick. Ruined my hunting opening weekend but that aside, all is now well.

Another vote for the battery going bad. I've had the speedometer and tach needles jump around and make clicking noises when the battery has been low and/or needed a jump start.

Thanks for the replies. Start the clock and I'll post again when the battery dies.

Also, when I get home I'll post a pic of my 6 point.

Ps-shortspark loved the story, hope you're ok.

I have never seen another vehicle that has a battery that can make every light/display look like a LED light show on the 4th of July!! Also it may lock your steering wheel. I have had the happen only once and it is quite an experience!!:act018:

:act035: BATTERY :act035:

:act035: BATTERY :act035:

I don't think a battery is gonna help shortspark. :act027:

Amazing what a bad battery will do.

I know all too well of the "bad back" issue.

Yep, there is nothing worse than your back going out on you. I mean it puts you down and makes a grown man cry. Especially if it happens on the opening of the hunting season, but I'm okay now.

Anyway, I agree with most of the others here that it has to be the start of the battery going bad - not quite there yet but it won't be long. I mean, what else could it be if not the battery? Only other thing would be the auto demons and if you got the demons, trade in that sucker right away! I had an old Ford once back in the late '60s and the rear main went out on it. Even after it was fixed strange things started to happen that had nothing whatsoever to do with the drive train and could not be explained such as the brights coming on without ever pushing the button on the floor. They would come on and stay on until you shut off the headlamps completely. And the rear view mirror in perfect position at night when I parked it but sometimes the next morning the mirror would be facing down and totally out of position no matter how hard I tightened it. The mechanic said it was the auto demons. I believe it too. Even an exorcism I performed on that Ford by throwing holy water I got at church all over it never made it right and the demons would not leave. I got rid of it pronto after the holy water failed.

Yep, there is nothing worse than your back going out on you. I mean it puts you down and makes a grown man cry. Especially if it happens on the opening of the hunting season, but I'm okay now.

Anyway, I agree with most of the others here that it has to be the start of the battery going bad - not quite there yet but it won't be long. I mean, what else could it be if not the battery? Only other thing would be the auto demons and if you got the demons, trade in that sucker right away! I had an old Ford once back in the late '60s and the rear main went out on it. Even after it was fixed strange things started to happen that had nothing whatsoever to do with the drive train and could not be explained such as the brights coming on without ever pushing the button on the floor. They would come on and stay on until you shut off the headlamps completely. And the rear view mirror in perfect position at night when I parked it but sometimes the next morning the mirror would be facing down and totally out of position no matter how hard I tightened it. The mechanic said it was the auto demons. I believe it too. Even an exorcism I performed on that Ford by throwing holy water I got at church all over it never made it right and the demons would not leave. I got rid of it pronto after the holy water failed.

Reminds me of my '78 Grand Prix POS, when you adjusted the power seat, the headlights would go dim. And other problems to numerous to mention!!

I have never seen another vehicle that has a battery that can make every light/display look like a LED light show on the 4th of July!! Also it may lock your steering wheel. I have had the happen only once and it is quite an experience!!:act018:

2004 Saab 9-3 Sedan. Craziest car I'd ever had the non-privilege of working on. Lights would flash intermittently, bulbs would blow, sensors would trip, window regulators would stop working, ignition wouldn't work right, radio would randomly quit, etc. ALL of it was solved with a new nearly $200 battery. Unbelievable. Now that vehicles are getting SO dependent on electrical systems and integrated sensors and computers, the battery and charging system is the most critical area to maintain.