Center Cluster - 78 Vette - Callibration?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Katy Texas
Center Cluster - 78 Vette - Callibration?
Hi,
Well my Interior restoration has gone quite well on my 78 - I'll post some new photos soon. Today I started it up and Pulled it out into the driveway and washed it - I will Drive it tomorrow for the first time in about 3 months.
I do have one minor problem though and thought some of you who have had the center cluster out might know what it is.
During the interior restore - I replaced many bulbs, the Lenses, and the A/C Vents on the Center Cluster. Today when i started it up - the Oil, Gas, and Voltmeter just pegged all the way to the right. Did I miss Something? I will drive it tomorrow and see if anything resets or changes but it seems that something may be amiss here.
The Oil pressure Gauge didn't peg to the right until i revved up the Engine... The Gas also sat in the middle until about 3 minutes into the warm up....
Thanks in advance and Cheers
Joe
Well my Interior restoration has gone quite well on my 78 - I'll post some new photos soon. Today I started it up and Pulled it out into the driveway and washed it - I will Drive it tomorrow for the first time in about 3 months.
I do have one minor problem though and thought some of you who have had the center cluster out might know what it is.
During the interior restore - I replaced many bulbs, the Lenses, and the A/C Vents on the Center Cluster. Today when i started it up - the Oil, Gas, and Voltmeter just pegged all the way to the right. Did I miss Something? I will drive it tomorrow and see if anything resets or changes but it seems that something may be amiss here.
The Oil pressure Gauge didn't peg to the right until i revved up the Engine... The Gas also sat in the middle until about 3 minutes into the warm up....
Thanks in advance and Cheers
Joe
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,687
Likes: 3,139
From: Shamong, NJ
Did you replace the printed circuit for the center cluster, when you had it apart? If not, that may be your problem. The circuit boards are fragil to start with and after 30 years they get pretty brittle. Handling it may have damaged it, causing shorting or malfuncting of the gauges.
Just a thought, but it is a place to start and a common problem.
Just a thought, but it is a place to start and a common problem.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola Fla
cluster stuff
Did you install the connector properly? It is not real hard to damage the printed circut board for the cluster.I caused a problem for myself several years ago when I removed mine in my 79 for other maintenance and somehow when I went back together I started to have a problem with my oil pressure reading it started to read higher then normal until it pegged out while running. This was the only gauge that gave me a problem and I had to replace my circut board. Somehow when I installed it I shorted out the printed circut causing the oil pressure problem. Do not know if I helped,but you can check your connector for proper installation again,look at the board for condition where the connector is plugged in.Look for misalignment of the contact areas vs the plug,they are fragile at best.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Katy Texas
Hi,
No - I didn't replace the circuit board as it seemed to be in good shape to me. I considered it but the only area that showed any trouble at all was where the main plug connects; three of the little contacts on the board were popping up a little. I took a toothpick with a tiny drop of glue on the tip - and gently applied to the back of each one and pressed down with another toothpick until it set. They stayed in place after that.
But it does seem likely that there could be a problem there....
Question though; if the circuit board is correct and without problems... does it matter where the needles on the gauges point when it is plugged in? Will they automatically reset to normal?
Thanks very much for the direction here
Cheers ~ Joe
No - I didn't replace the circuit board as it seemed to be in good shape to me. I considered it but the only area that showed any trouble at all was where the main plug connects; three of the little contacts on the board were popping up a little. I took a toothpick with a tiny drop of glue on the tip - and gently applied to the back of each one and pressed down with another toothpick until it set. They stayed in place after that.
But it does seem likely that there could be a problem there....
Question though; if the circuit board is correct and without problems... does it matter where the needles on the gauges point when it is plugged in? Will they automatically reset to normal?
Thanks very much for the direction here
Cheers ~ Joe
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola Fla
cluster stuff
If the circuit board is not damaged electrically and plugged in correctly indication would be normal.It safe to assume that you did not get any glue on the contacts so when plug is installed contact of plug to board is good. Did your cluster work properly before you disassembled for restoration? Did you try to reset plug? If still the same you will more then likely need a new printed circuit board.When I had my problem I thought I was very careful of not damaging the board,but I did.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Cheektowaga NY
I've recently had the gauge console out in my 78.When I reinstalled it I had a tough time getting the plug in connector back into place and my gauge readings were messed too.I removed it to find I had actually bent or moved some of the printed circuit tabs that make contact with the plug.I staightened them as best I could and hoped for the best when I reassembled it.I was fortunate that solved the problem.Hope this helps.Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,389
Likes: 83
From: Norfolk Virginia
Circuit boards aren't much different than wiring, positive and negative. The old boards can be easily repaired, any decent electronics tech can do it. Television repair guys can repair and check them, I've done some of that sort of thing myself.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Katy Texas
Thanks for all the great replies.
I am pretty certain that I did not get any glue on the top surface of the contacts but I have obviously made some error as the Center Cluster worked just fine before i rebuilt it.
I only replaced the Bezel, all of the bulbs, Lenses (main clear lens and two idiot light lenses), and the Center Air Vents. I was very careful when i reassembled it... But Perhaps i will try to re-seat the main connector tomorrow. I really don't want to tear this apart again... Perhaps i can reach it by removing the glove box and sneak in that way...
I'll let you know the outcome
Cheers ~ Joe
I am pretty certain that I did not get any glue on the top surface of the contacts but I have obviously made some error as the Center Cluster worked just fine before i rebuilt it.
I only replaced the Bezel, all of the bulbs, Lenses (main clear lens and two idiot light lenses), and the Center Air Vents. I was very careful when i reassembled it... But Perhaps i will try to re-seat the main connector tomorrow. I really don't want to tear this apart again... Perhaps i can reach it by removing the glove box and sneak in that way...
I'll let you know the outcome
Cheers ~ Joe
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
If all your gauges pegged then it is almost certainly a bad connection at the circuit board - most likely the ground since it seems unlikely all your sender lines have not been connected.
The fuel gauge on the 78 and perhaps other years has its own ground - so since it didnt peg immediately I am fairly confident the connector is loose back there.
The fuel gauge on the 78 and perhaps other years has its own ground - so since it didnt peg immediately I am fairly confident the connector is loose back there.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Katy Texas
By the way - this ended up being the circuit board - where the main connector plugs in. The contacts were/are very lose in there but i finally got the plug seated correctly and all gauges work properly now. It really just took some jiggling around to find the sweet spot. I have ordered a replacement Circuit board so I will replace that in a couple of weeks to make it like new.
Thanks for all of the kind assistance and sorry it took me so long to let you all know what the problem turned out to be.
Cheers ~ Joe
Thanks for all of the kind assistance and sorry it took me so long to let you all know what the problem turned out to be.
Cheers ~ Joe
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: xenia oh
guages
I have a similar situation as joe. After some work on the dash all guages work with the exception of the oil pressure guage. It pegs when the car is started. Any suggestions? I have pondered replacing the guage but if there are other options i am all ears. er...or eyes.
