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Drove the car for the first time at night and i've tested the headlights lots of times and everything always worked... first drive though maybe 10 min into the drive all the center gauge lights went out. The speedo and tach still light up and all the gauges still work even though you can't see them at night now. I don't think the center cluster has its own fuse and why would it just be the lights to go? I did upgrade them to LED a while ago but still doesn't make sense. The cluster is still in the car as I didn't want to pull it unless I knew what to look for. I did put a new printed circuit board on it as well and basically redid the whole cluster. I guess I could see if I can reach in the back with it still installed and play with the plug to see if something happened but I find it odd that they all went out. 1978 with an LS swap and a custom trans temp gauge installed instead of the clock. I should also add that when I put the car together I did put in a new headlight switch, the car uses a aftermarket headlight harness, Dapper projector headlights and a mix of HID and halogens. None of this matters for the inside though.
BLUF: I bet it's that stupid connector, or the more stupid flexible circuit board. See below for how it can be both.
First, did you check the fuses? If there is one, it would be on the fuse panel with the rest. With the passenger side center console side panel off, you should be able to get your hand back there. Sorry about the glass fuses. 78 was the last year for that nonsense.
I didn't post photos, but I recently replaced my center gauge cluster and console. The previous cluster had be "repaired" by Bubba with a soldering iron. One of the tabs on that stupid flexible circuit board was built up a bit. As a result, the connector pin was bent, and didn't make contact with the new board. I fixed it with a screwdriver.
BLUF: I bet it's that stupid connector, or the more stupid flexible circuit board. See below for how it can be both.
First, did you check the fuses? If there is one, it would be on the fuse panel with the rest. With the passenger side center console side panel off, you should be able to get your hand back there. Sorry about the glass fuses. 78 was the last year for that nonsense.
I didn't post photos, but I recently replaced my center gauge cluster and console. The previous cluster had be "repaired" by Bubba with a soldering iron. One of the tabs on that stupid flexible circuit board was built up a bit. As a result, the connector pin was bent, and didn't make contact with the new board. I fixed it with a screwdriver.
I guess I will have to rip it out and see. The board was replaced and I put an aftermarket trans temp gauge where the clock was. Everything worked fine like 20times before the first night drive. If it was the fuse I would lose all dash lighting right? My Speedo and tach light up and all other lights work just not the center Cluster gauges.
my center Custer plug was cut off near the connector so I had to make a sub harness so it’s easily removable and one large single plug that also includes the trans temp hookups.
I guess I will have to rip it out and see. The board was replaced and I put an aftermarket trans temp gauge where the clock was. Everything worked fine like 20times before the first night drive. If it was the fuse I would lose all dash lighting right? My Speedo and tach light up and all other lights work just not the center Cluster gauges.
my center Custer plug was cut off near the connector so I had to make a sub harness so it’s easily removable and one large single plug that also includes the trans temp hookups.
Not unlike what I did, though I chose the stock oil temp gauge.
Did you cut the lead that went to the clock? The outer loop is required for the light circuit, but I cut the inner bit to keep it from shorting on anything, then wrapped it all in tape. Dunno why it would fail during a drive.
AFAIK, if the fuse was the issue, the tach/speedo lights would go out, too. Do they also have LEDs?
Not unlike what I did, though I chose the stock oil temp gauge.
Did you cut the lead that went to the clock? The outer loop is required for the light circuit, but I cut the inner bit to keep it from shorting on anything, then wrapped it all in tape. Dunno why it would fail during a drive.
AFAIK, if the fuse was the issue, the tach/speedo lights would go out, too. Do they also have LEDs?
I didn’t cut the clock tab, they are intact and covered with tape. I actually just ordered the stock oil temp gauge and they are saying back ordered or whatever for the gauge and sending unit.
yes all lights on the car have Been upgraded to LED. Tails are United pacific swap housings, front, front side, rear side markers all LED as well as the dome and footwell lights.
well you were right… it was something dumb. I checked fuse, then stuck my arm around the driver
side sail and wiggled the main harness to the center gauges around enough I saw the light flicker on. I pulled the sail down 2 screws enough to get a slightly better view and unplugged the big white connector block I had made and looked at the pins. Sure enough the one I marked lighting + was half way pushed out. So I grabbed it and pulled the spade fully in and watched the tab lock in place. Plugged it back in and boom lighting works.
these are pretty bright LEDs but I’m underwhelmed with the brightness in the car honestly. When I pull it out to do the OEM oil temp gauge I’m gona see about getting some brighter ones and do the speedo and tach too. Or if I fall into some money I would love to get the Dakota digital dashes except I think you are forced to get a clock in the center. Litterslly substitute it with anything that is useful and I would ****** it up.
anyways thanks for the inspiration bikespace. Banged it out in 10min in my garage during a heat wave lol.
pics with and without the 8” CarPlay Din and interior lights
They don’t look this bright in person. Led interior lights are perfect and very bright. This is what they look like in person.
Center cluster lights stopped working?!
