Gauges working intermittently
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,338
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From: Grants Pass, Oregon
Gauges working intermittently
Okay, after not having Gas gauge, Temp, and oil pressure gauges registering at all for 3-4 months( all pegged to zero levels at far left), today when i went to start the 76, fuel gauge went to 3/4+full, oil pressure registered mid to upper level, and temp gauge showed the temp increasing as the motor warmed up......they all either work fine and register, or they all dont register.......i havent done anything under the dash lately, and i dont think ive got a repair manual, or at least cant find it since my move.......whats the most likely culprit, a ground on the instrument panel?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
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It may be a ground or its the power supply. The power supply is attached to the back of panel and knocks the voltage down for the gauges to something like 5 volts. Its a small metal cased deal about 1/2" long on my '78. If it fails, fuel, temp and oil pressure stop working. Its available from AZ and I'm sure others... or pull one off a salvaged panel.
New User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
bad ground
iggybob44
Had same trouble with my 03 gmc duramax, went on for a time of 2 years never knew when would start and stop. A GMC guy said to write down you radio stations. Turn headlights on, then remove battery cable neg. best so you do not short your wrench to ground. Leave off over night. Turn lights off hook battery back up, turn lights back on start truck. It has been 5 years no repeat'
Good luck
Jim
Had same trouble with my 03 gmc duramax, went on for a time of 2 years never knew when would start and stop. A GMC guy said to write down you radio stations. Turn headlights on, then remove battery cable neg. best so you do not short your wrench to ground. Leave off over night. Turn lights off hook battery back up, turn lights back on start truck. It has been 5 years no repeat'
Good luck
Jim
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,735
Likes: 2
From: Wingo, Ky
Probably the instrument cluster voltage regulator.
Also could be ignition switch. I just had that problem. Gauges would work when key was turned on but after I started vehicle and released key gauges stopped working until key was wiggled. Solved problem with new switch.
Also could be ignition switch. I just had that problem. Gauges would work when key was turned on but after I started vehicle and released key gauges stopped working until key was wiggled. Solved problem with new switch.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 3
From: Grants Pass, Oregon
Typical for a nearly 40 year old vehicle, its had its share of "interesting" wiring mods.........Sometime soon i want to add a stereo to it, that would probably be a good opportunity to do a little digging under the dash. Old switches are often problematic, i just might replace the ignition switch, starter relay, and the gauge voltage regulator shortly. Id rather stick with the factory gauges, instead of adding a gauge panel to the dash, since it seems like the only simple way is to place a panel in the spot designed for the radio. Ive had the Bumpsides before, and there ashtray placement made mounting gauges along the bottom of the panel easy. I actually liked the bumpside dash/gauge design better than the dentsides, but the improvements to the running gear in the dent's makes it worthwhile
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
You can easily test the instrument cluster voltage regulator (ICVR) by pulling off one of the three sending unit leads and checking for power with a test light. The light should BLINK about once per second.
More info: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-the-icvr.html
More info: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-the-icvr.html
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