Dash gauges not functioning

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Jun 28, 2006 | 01:10 PM

ghood

Thread Starter

5th Gear

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 5

Likes: 0

Dash gauges not functioning

Hello,

I am having problems with my 1980 vette. The speed/tach are both functioning properly, but the clock, voltage.....and other gauges do not function at all. The power windows, power doors, power antanee are all fine, just the dash gauges. I am not very experienced at all with electrical work at all so any explanations would be very helpful. I have no idea what might be causing this. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Hoodman

Jun 28, 2006 | 01:19 PM

icanfixitforyou

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 876

Likes: 1

From: Same as our leaders Out of my mind

Try removing the center gauge/radio console and look at the back of the gauge cluster. There is a plastic sheet that has a printed circuit on it, they usually deteriorate with age, also there is a plug that connects in the middle of that circuit, it may have been pulled out. The plastic sheet circuits are still available, the best prices are at that on line auction place that we are not supposed to mention.
Good luck!

Jun 28, 2006 | 01:23 PM

Easy Mike

Team Owner

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 38,923

Likes: 1,481

From: Southbound

Cruise-In II Veteran

Check fuse.

Jun 28, 2006 | 01:25 PM

ghood

Thread Starter

5th Gear

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 5

Likes: 0

Should have mentioned what I have done

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I did take out the dash/console area and looked at the 'basics'. The printed circuit looks almost brand new with almost no visible wear. The plug with the wires also looks very good. I also checked all of the fuses that I could find and found no problems to report.

Thanks,

Hoodman

Jun 28, 2006 | 04:37 PM

Sprzout

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 1,078

Likes: 0

From: Santee CA

I'm having a similar problem in my '74. The Fuel gauge works, and I THINK the temp gauge is working...It moves when the engine warms up, but it doesn't seem to move much off of the cold range. I'm thinking there's some sort of electrical problem, as I know that the battery gauge just spikes all the way to "full discharge", and I know that the car's never had a problem with overcharging.

There's evidence that the wiring has been bubba'd, as there's all sorts of cut wires in the engine compartment relating to the factory alarm system and the aftermarket radio that was installed...I'm praying that the entire harness doesn't have to be replaced with how bad some of the wiring is...

Jun 28, 2006 | 06:44 PM

icanfixitforyou

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 876

Likes: 1

From: Same as our leaders Out of my mind

It looks like it is time for you guys to get a multimeter and a wiring diagram and do some troubleshooting.

Jun 28, 2006 | 08:16 PM

Sprzout

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 1,078

Likes: 0

From: Santee CA

I might try that this weekend, provided the weather here in the inland valleys of San Diego stays out of the triple digits...Otherwise, I'll be poolside doing

Jun 28, 2006 | 08:19 PM

E_Tar

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 5,427

Likes: 1

From: Tracy California

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy Mike

Check fuse.

thats the first thin to do...

check the circuit on the back of thaguages,

then check the wiring harness.. both the dash one and the general harness..