Shorted out volt gauge... Help!

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May 4, 2010 | 02:16 PM

hugie82

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Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2007

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From: Bridgewater nj

Shorted out volt gauge... Help!

I was replacing bulbs in my gauge cluster in my 1982 vette and I turned my key on to check the seatbelt light. Well I didn't notice the stud coming off the back of the volt meter touching the shifter. Needles to say some small sparks and a tiny swirl of smoke occured. Now it looks like my volt meter is dead!!!

I tried replacing the gauge fuse on the fuse block and I looked for any burnt wires(Nothing). I'm very good at a lot of things BUT electrical is my weak point!!! Is there a fusable link or did I fry some micro circuit in the gauge???
THANKS

May 4, 2010 | 04:48 PM

7T1vette

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From: Crossville TN

My guess...and it's only a guess...is that you fried one of the coil lead wires in the gauge. That is usually what happens when significant current is drawn through it. You can try to apply voltage to the gauge directly (disconnect the battery this time, please) with a small battery (anything from 1.5 volt to a 9 volt battery will do) to see if a known voltage source will drive the meter. If not, remove the meter; then carefully remove the needle and face plate [you really have nothing to lose doing this, do you?]. Look at the fine wires that connect the meter coil to the attachment posts. If one [or both] are melted and no longer connected, try to install a small jumper wire between its post and the end of the wire. If you are unsuccessful, buy a new gauge.

May 4, 2010 | 05:09 PM

hugie82

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2007

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From: Bridgewater nj

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7T1vette

Sounds like a plan. Thanks

May 4, 2010 | 05:26 PM

hugie82

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2007

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From: Bridgewater nj

That worked!

The gauge is OK but the printed curcuit board fried and I think its to far gone to be fixed. Now lets see who has a printed curcuit for an 82 misfire????

LOL

May 4, 2010 | 07:21 PM

Eddie 70

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From: Lenoir City Tennessee

Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran

St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15

Try looking at Wilcox for the circuit board. They are a forum vendor and just happen to have some in stock right HERE!!!

May 5, 2010 | 12:28 AM

7T1vette

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From: Crossville TN

Yep. Boards are readily available. Just get the correct one for your year. [...and disconnect the battery...:o] Good luck!

May 5, 2010 | 08:24 AM

hugie82

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 3,652

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From: Bridgewater nj

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie 70

Try looking at Wilcox for the circuit board. They are a forum vendor and just happen to have some in stock right HERE!!!

Thanks, I ordered from wilcox because he was the cheapest but I was a little shocked at the $15 for standard ground shipping of something that can weight no more than an envelope???

May 5, 2010 | 11:11 AM

7T1vette

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From: Crossville TN

Yep. Shipping will "kill" you, if you're buying small parts one-at-a-time.

It would be nice if vendors had a 'soft-pack', normal postage option for things like that. But, each package requires packing and labeling, no matter how small, and that requires a 'body' to do the work.

Last edited by 7T1vette; May 5, 2010 at 11:13 AM.