Help!!! Gauge cluster problem

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Mar 30, 2013 | 07:55 AM

Downdraft

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Help!!! Gauge cluster problem

I decided to upgrade my tach with a higher redline face and electronic internals which run off my MSD box rather than my tach distributor and an oil pressure gauge that goes up to 100 PSI (that looks just like a normal C2 instrument) for my 383 motor – since the original 60 PSI gauge was buried most of the time.I removed the instrument cluster n(for the 2nd time) and all the bulbs and wires were already marked for easier installation.
I put everything back on and my left blinker does work as the left blinker but when I rotate the dimmer switch on the headlights is comes on and stays on. When I turn the right blinker on the needle of the water temperature gauge goes back and forth. Then I turn the key off the temp gauge and gas gauge move all the way to the right and when the key is on they work. Crazy! It is coming out again – any ideas what I did wrong – the last time everything went smoothly.
Happy and peaceful Easter everyone! Alex

Mar 30, 2013 | 09:06 AM

6D2148

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From: Limerick Pa, Saint James City Fl

sounds like you lost your ground, and you are getting partial ground through light and gauges

Mar 30, 2013 | 09:29 AM

bluzrocker

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From: Dixon California

Im intrested in what zackly you mean by loosing the ground?? Something under the dash has a wire that is attached to the birdcage?...or the ground that the raido,wipers and blower mtr hook into...I lost the power to my wipers after removing a replacement raido ..and reinstalled my restored stock raido...my raido crackles and if I bump the raido controll ***** it gets (reception) better or worse....where is that ground wire/strap under there?? your thoughts..

Bluzrocker

Mar 30, 2013 | 09:41 AM

6D2148

Drifting

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From: Limerick Pa, Saint James City Fl

I believe from your issue that a faulty ground will cause this but i don't know your car, as to where the ground straps are or how they make their way back to the battery. Chip

Mar 30, 2013 | 11:07 AM

babbah

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Downdraft

From what you are describing, it does not sound like the ground is the issue, but check it and go from there. Disconnect the 2 gauge electrical connections you added to both the tach and oil gauge and try the dash again and see if things go back to "normal" Sounds to me like whatever you added could be the root cause of your new issues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluzrocker

Im intrested in what zackly you mean by loosing the ground?? Something under the dash has a wire that is attached to the birdcage?Bluzrocker

At the very top of the back of your cluster there is a black ground wire with spade lug (push on) that attaches the ground to your cluster. My 67 has it.

Make sure that black wire is securely connected.

The ground for the wiper motor is a separate black wire that is connected to the starter ground and your radio has a separate ground wire as well.

Last edited by babbah; Mar 30, 2013 at 11:23 AM.

Mar 30, 2013 | 03:41 PM

Downdraft

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Thanks, it was one of those days, put in about 7 hours and then ......... Actually the steering column was not installed since i also replaced the rag joint, but i did ground the black wire with a direct wire to the block. I wanted to check all the bulbs before securing everything. I'll retackle the issue next week by first disconnecting the gauges only. Will keep you all posted.