Gauge Cluster bench testing
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Fair Lawn New Jersey
Gauge Cluster bench testing
I have a 79 Vette and have both gauge clusters out and installed new printed circuit boards on both clusters. I have both printed circuit board plugs I was able to get from a donner Vette. How do you use these plugs to bench test the functions of the gauges before I install them back into the car?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
I work on these cars and I would not make a bench test tool to do this. I have tested them before and it backfired on me.
Simply plug them into your car and verify that things work..I do it quite often and you will be getting 'real world' results from the actual car that they are going into.
If you think I am off base on this...you are mistaken because I have tested these clusters before and when I tested some circuits and it all worked perfectly on the bench...when I installed it and me thinking that all was good...it was not due to the plug on the actual car was damaged and I had to take it all back apart.
But do whatever makes you happy.
DUB
Simply plug them into your car and verify that things work..I do it quite often and you will be getting 'real world' results from the actual car that they are going into.
If you think I am off base on this...you are mistaken because I have tested these clusters before and when I tested some circuits and it all worked perfectly on the bench...when I installed it and me thinking that all was good...it was not due to the plug on the actual car was damaged and I had to take it all back apart.
But do whatever makes you happy.
DUB
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Fair Lawn New Jersey
I work on these cars and I would not make a bench test tool to do this. I have tested them before and it backfired on me.
Simply plug them into your car and verify that things work..I do it quite often and you will be getting 'real world' results from the actual car that they are going into.
If you think I am off base on this...you are mistaken because I have tested these clusters before and when I tested some circuits and it all worked perfectly on the bench...when I installed it and me thinking that all was good...it was not due to the plug on the actual car was damaged and I had to take it all back apart.
But do whatever makes you happy.
DUB
Simply plug them into your car and verify that things work..I do it quite often and you will be getting 'real world' results from the actual car that they are going into.
If you think I am off base on this...you are mistaken because I have tested these clusters before and when I tested some circuits and it all worked perfectly on the bench...when I installed it and me thinking that all was good...it was not due to the plug on the actual car was damaged and I had to take it all back apart.
But do whatever makes you happy.
DUB
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
Thank you for your reply. I agree not knowing what wires go to what, it could be easy to short out or burn the circuit board. I watched a video put out by Willcox Corvette that shows you how to properly bench test the gauges'. I have the plugs, with the wires and tested it on the bench today and everything worked as Willcox showed.
It is GREAT that Willcox has the method of testing to help Corvette owners repair their Corvettes,When I encounter burnt printed circuit boards..I generally find that specific circuit and check the cars main wiring harness for any problems of that specific cirucit getting 12 volts if it is supposed to be a ground circuit and vice-verse and so on.
Glad that you are ready to 'plug and play' and get the gauge cluster in your car.
DUB
