"Guages read low"

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Feb 25, 2000 | 06:43 PM

Supercab

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From: Palm Bay, Florida

"Guages read low"

For as long as I can remember the guages in the factory cluster in my ' 78 F150 read lower than they should, as in filling the tank to the cap only makes the guage read in between 3/4 and full, and temp guage never makes it into the "normal " range, and the oil pressure guage reads on the low side of "normal" I understand that there is a type of voltage regulator just for the instrument cluster, if this is so how can I adjust or replace it to correct my guages? THANKS!!!!

Feb 25, 2000 | 08:06 PM

Nitro

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"Guages read low"

All you have to do is swap out the little regulator on the cluster. To do this you have to pull the cluster out and take off the speedo cable. Then there is a little box that looks like a 9 volt battery. Take that off and put a new one in and that should fix your problems. Good luck

Nitro

Feb 26, 2000 | 08:12 AM

Supercab

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From: Palm Bay, Florida

"Guages read low"

Nitro, Thanks for your help, I knew it was something easy, I 'll advise my results soon, Supercab

Feb 26, 2000 | 03:08 PM

jmg7184

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From: Manhattan, KS

"Guages read low"

My guages do the same thing, all except for my oil pressure guage. My fuel gauge will never hit full, and the temp guage hardly makes it into the normal range. How hard are these regulators to find? I have some used ones in the shop, but I would like to go with new if possible. Thanks!

Feb 27, 2000 | 06:35 PM

Supercab

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From: Palm Bay, Florida

"Guages read low"

Guys, If no one else has the regulators, the new issue of Auto Krafters ' 73- ' 79 trucks parts catalog lists the regulator for $30.50, part #GR513, Auto Krafters can be reached at: www.autokrafters.com.
- Supercab

Feb 27, 2000 | 08:26 PM

BigBrownTruck

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"Guages read low"

I know that I corrected the instrument cluster in my 76 with a IVR. Before I fixed, those gauges were reading high. I have a 69 where the fuel reads 3/4 when full and the temp is on the very low side of normal. If those are both low it scares me to think what my oil pressure is. It ranges from very high (engine cold 20-50) to the slightly below mid gauge (engine warm idle) to just barely normal (engine warm idle 1 and1/2-2qt low on oil). I assumed that this voltage regulator would bring the high readings to normal. Did replaceing the IVR bring your low readings up Supercab?

BBT

Feb 28, 2000 | 05:54 PM

Supercab

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From: Palm Bay, Florida

"Guages read low"

Guys, & BBT, OK, Heres the deal of the day....I found a IVR at my local Non-chain Family owned parts store for $19.41, they are ordering it for me & I will pick it up tommorow, SO AUTO KRAFTERS IS TOO HIGH, after all.
It will be this weekend before I'll have time to take my dash apart, & change the IVR, (BTW) I strongly recomend when removing the instrument cluster for any reason that you replace ALL the light bulbs back there, including the one that illuminates the wiper/light switches on ' 73s to ' 79s.
BBT, I think you may have more problems than your IVR, you may have a clogged/bad oil sender, or a bad temp sender, you may want to change these out as well, they really don't cost that much for piece of mind.
Further....If anyone needs a IVR and can't find one at a good price or at all, I'll be glad to get you one & send it to you, Good Luck to all,
-Supercab