Instrument Cluster
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Senior User
Joined: May 2003
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Instrument Cluster
Ok, so the board on the back of my instrument panel got fried. I am going aftermarket gauges for this one. I believe I know which color wires are which on the harness (looked up in haynes but might have traced the wiring wrong) but could use a little reassurance. So any one know what they are?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
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From: Gainesville, FL
Instrument Cluster
79,
I would not recommend butchering your harness.
If you want aftermarket gages, you'll need aftermarket sending units and should run your own wire.
A replacement instrument panel (IP) could run you $25 at a local junkyard.
Here's what to look for.
IPs with a big plug have the gages for everything. Some of these "Big Plug" IPs have idiot lights but are convertable to gages.
IPs with the "Short Plug" have the idiot lights for ALT & OIL. They are more common for the 78,79 models.
Always be as gentle as you can with this item. The plastic box the gages mount in becomes very fragile and will disentigrate with age. The circuit sheet is virtually indestructible.
Good Luck,
KingFisher
I would not recommend butchering your harness.
If you want aftermarket gages, you'll need aftermarket sending units and should run your own wire.
A replacement instrument panel (IP) could run you $25 at a local junkyard.
Here's what to look for.
IPs with a big plug have the gages for everything. Some of these "Big Plug" IPs have idiot lights but are convertable to gages.
IPs with the "Short Plug" have the idiot lights for ALT & OIL. They are more common for the 78,79 models.
Always be as gentle as you can with this item. The plastic box the gages mount in becomes very fragile and will disentigrate with age. The circuit sheet is virtually indestructible.
Good Luck,
KingFisher
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 328
Likes: 93
Instrument Cluster
Since the subject of instrument clusters has been surfaced, what's the trick to getting the lights working? Mine haven't worked for over 10 years. Yes, all of the bulbs are good and No, I don't have any blown fuses! I have attempted to fix them a number of times and never been successful. Fixing electrical problems has never been my favorite past time, I'm a "nuts & bolts" guy so if anyone has the "fix", write it in crayon!
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,404
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From: Cleveland, WI USA
Instrument Cluster
I just cleaned and fixed my lights in my 78. The problems I found are corrosion, and broken plastic where the socket is held in. Also, if the circuit board (and I use that term loosley) is old and dried up, some circuits can be broken. With an ohm meter and about 5 minutes, you can check for connectivity at all the light sockets. Clean the contact surfaces on the bulb, inside socket, outside contacts, and circuit board. I also used a little dielectric grease to prevent corosion.
Use a test light or volt meter to see if you have power at the harness, too.
Good luck.
Kevin K.
Use a test light or volt meter to see if you have power at the harness, too.
Good luck.
Kevin K.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Instrument Cluster
For you guys talking about switching clusters with Idiot lights to Gauges,you must be aware that gauge clusters have an 18 pin connector & Idiot light clsusters have a 14 pin connector.
This means to change over you need the complete wiring harness from Dashboard to under hood.
The best thing to do when you have lighting problems is to remove the cluster and look closely for breaks in the printed circuit or a crumbled cluster back.Clean everything up with electrical cleaner.
Yes. there are replacement backs available.
This means to change over you need the complete wiring harness from Dashboard to under hood.
The best thing to do when you have lighting problems is to remove the cluster and look closely for breaks in the printed circuit or a crumbled cluster back.Clean everything up with electrical cleaner.
Yes. there are replacement backs available.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 106
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Instrument Cluster
I dont plan on cutting off the harness, but rather splicing into the necessary already existing wires.
The original had dumb lights.
I am fiberglassing a custom panel for this project. installing amp, fuel, temp, oil, spedo and tach. I will also be making lights for the turn signals as well. use of the original wires will save time as well as money.
The original had dumb lights.
I am fiberglassing a custom panel for this project. installing amp, fuel, temp, oil, spedo and tach. I will also be making lights for the turn signals as well. use of the original wires will save time as well as money.
