Instrument cluster issue, difference in connectors
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2016
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Instrument cluster issue, difference in connectors
So I went a pulled an instrument cluster from the jy, cleaned it up and went to hook it up, only to find I have a different plug in my truck despite the same years. 14connector vs 18connector. Also, my plug's wires are mutilated beyond belief.
I'm planning on going through and soldering + shrink wrapping all these bad connections in the next few days and I got to thinking... Could I hook up my wires to the new cluster's plug and have it work?
Was going to add pics, but it's not letting me at the moment.
I'm planning on going through and soldering + shrink wrapping all these bad connections in the next few days and I got to thinking... Could I hook up my wires to the new cluster's plug and have it work?
Was going to add pics, but it's not letting me at the moment.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
There are two different plugs used. The larger one is for the instrument cluster that has oil pressure gauge and an ammeter. The smaller plug is for the cluster that uses idiot lights.
The two clusters are not interchangeable. You'll need to get the correct cluster to match your wiring harness.
The two clusters are not interchangeable. You'll need to get the correct cluster to match your wiring harness.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 862
Likes: 7
From: like subarctic, brrr man!
It's possible to swap clusters around, but with a few caveats.
-Going lights to gauges, you lose your ammeter gauge function because well... your harness doesn't have the extra wiring.
-Swap Oil Pressure Sender to/from gauges/switch.
Use a wire schematic and look between the two connectors to place the wires in their correct order.
-Going lights to gauges, you lose your ammeter gauge function because well... your harness doesn't have the extra wiring.
-Swap Oil Pressure Sender to/from gauges/switch.
Use a wire schematic and look between the two connectors to place the wires in their correct order.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 581
Likes: 113
From: New Hampshire
You can re-pin your idiot light cluster wiring to match the gauge cluster connector requirements; not hard to do as I've done it. You MUST know what year the gauge cluster is out of though as the flexible wiring boards are different. Install a oil pressure sender in place of the oil pressure switch and your oil pressure gauge is now functional.
You can also send your ammeter out to be turned into a voltmeter and then you just plug in a 12v and a ground wire into the gauge connector locations in place of the ammeter ones and everything works fine. I did this and connected the abandoned ammeter wires from the harness up to the seatbelt light on my 75 gauge panel. I replaced the seatbelt lens in the gauge with a Alt light lens and everything work perfectly.
Tbruz
You can also send your ammeter out to be turned into a voltmeter and then you just plug in a 12v and a ground wire into the gauge connector locations in place of the ammeter ones and everything works fine. I did this and connected the abandoned ammeter wires from the harness up to the seatbelt light on my 75 gauge panel. I replaced the seatbelt lens in the gauge with a Alt light lens and everything work perfectly.
Tbruz
Last edited by tbruz; Mar 30, 2016 at 02:53 PM. Reason: Add oil pressure gauge info
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 5
From: Shreveport, LA
You can re-pin your idiot light cluster wiring to match the gauge cluster connector requirements; not hard to do as I've done it. You MUST know what year the gauge cluster is out of though as the flexible wiring boards are different. Install a oil pressure sender in place of the oil pressure switch and your oil pressure gauge is now functional.
You can also send your ammeter out to be turned into a voltmeter and then you just plug in a 12v and a ground wire into the gauge connector locations in place of the ammeter ones and everything works fine. I did this and connected the abandoned ammeter wires from the harness up to the seatbelt light on my 75 gauge panel. I replaced the seatbelt lens in the gauge with a Alt light lens and everything work perfectly.
Tbruz
You can also send your ammeter out to be turned into a voltmeter and then you just plug in a 12v and a ground wire into the gauge connector locations in place of the ammeter ones and everything works fine. I did this and connected the abandoned ammeter wires from the harness up to the seatbelt light on my 75 gauge panel. I replaced the seatbelt lens in the gauge with a Alt light lens and everything work perfectly.
Tbruz
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
On the oil pressure gauge I don't think so. These gauges operate on ~5.5 volts not 12. And definitely no on the ammeter. The factory ammeter (which is a POS) is a shunt style while most aftermarket ammeters are the direct read type.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2016
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Sorry, not trying to hijack but this definitely sounds like the way to do it if someone is going after a factory look. I would like to update my dads '75 Explorer with all factory gauges like this. Where did you send the ampmeter? Do you have any pictures of the cluster? Thanks!
Looks like I'll probably do this when I get some spare cash. Until then I think I'll mount the aftermarket voltmeter under my dash
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 5
From: Shreveport, LA
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...olt-meter.html
Looks like I'll probably do this when I get some spare cash. Until then I think I'll mount the aftermarket voltmeter under my dash
Looks like I'll probably do this when I get some spare cash. Until then I think I'll mount the aftermarket voltmeter under my dash
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
Rocketman's Classic Cougar Innovations
You can either keep the original "ammeter" face or you can have the face changed to the voltmeter face.
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