My dash wiring is driving me crazy

[9312v]

I have been having some issues with my coolant gauge fluttering when coming to a stop. However its not consistent, it may act up on a bumpy road or a smooth one. The needle will go from cold to almost hot and then float back to the temperature that it is actually reading. I have checked the ground behind the cargo light switch, it is not loose or corroded. The majority of the time that the gauge flutters the dash lights will also pulse, this also includes the lights in the gauges on the pillar.

Also rescently my kenwood stereo unit started flashing "protect." The pig tail coming from the factory plug is fine and I saw no shorts. I can reset the head unit and it will work for a little bit before I hit a bump or something that causes it to go into protect mode again. Any ideas?

[RCCUMMINS89]

It's without a doubt a poor ground.

My grounding issues were coming from the grounds under the hood. Could even be your negative battery terminal.

[9312v]

I will check the grounds there, but I just got a new battery and had previously upgraded the battery cables to larger gauge welding wire

[Nughuffer]

I will check the grounds there, but I just got a new battery and had previously upgraded the battery cables to larger gauge welding wire

Add more grounds. Alternator>Battery, Battery>engine block, battery>chassis. Make sure your terminals aren't corroded or loose in any way. My gauges acted silly before I did all this and now they work as they should with no fluctuation or dimming.