Shorted out volt gauge... Help!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
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
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
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
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.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
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.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
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!!!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
Try looking at Wilcox for the circuit board. They are a forum vendor and just happen to have some in stock right HERE!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
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.
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.
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