87 Instrument Panel - Part II

[Bri87swb]

Most of the bulbs in my instrument cluster were shot, so I replaced them and all worked with the exception of one. There is a bulb located on the top left of the speedo. It has it's own set of wires and does not rely on the circuit panel on the back of the cluster for power. This bulb is not getting any power. I tried to follow the wires, but they disappear into the factor harness. Does this particular bulb have its own fuse? Any ideas why its not lighting up.

BTW - painting the cluster chrome works great to brighten up the instrument panel.

[Russell]

Can you get a pic of the bulb?

The one to the left of my speedo is connected to the rest for lighting up the dash...

[Bri87swb]

Originally Posted by Russell

Can you get a pic of the bulb?

The one to the left of my speedo is connected to the rest for lighting up the dash...

I'll get a pic posted tomorrow. Maybe I'm remembering it wrong. This bulb could go somewhere else. It is the only bulb besides the optical ashtry wire, that has wires going to it. The rest of the bulbs have connections on them so that they receive power from the circuit board on the back of the cluster.

Does anyone have a picture of the back of the instrument cluster?

[MylilBowTie]

That one could be loose my 84 c10 has the same problem

[72 CustomCamper]

It should go to the bottom left of the speedometer. Sounds like the 4x4 indicator lamp.Try turning the key on and shift it into 4x4 and see if the light comes on...


Chuck

[Russell]

Alright, here is a pic of the back of my 80's dash, which wire is it?

I realize you've got an 87 dash, so it may be different. I've never seen an 87 dash in person yet...

[bigarmzz]

Originally Posted by Russell

Alright, here is a pic of the back of my 80's dash, which wire is it?

I realize you've got an 87 dash, so it may be different. I've never seen an 87 dash in person yet...

hey russell, whats that green box "thingy" laying next to the dash?....the dash i just got from f.monroe has a box like that attached to the speedometer

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by Russell

Alright, here is a pic of the back of my 80's dash, which wire is it?

I realize you've got an 87 dash, so it may be different. I've never seen an 87 dash in person yet...

They are all the same shape. Its just some have certain holes punched and some don't.

Here is a pic of Dakota's:

[Bri87swb]

Originally Posted by Russell

Alright, here is a pic of the back of my 80's dash, which wire is it?

I realize you've got an 87 dash, so it may be different. I've never seen an 87 dash in person yet...

The bulb I am referring to, must be unplugged from the dash before you can remove it. It has it's own two wires running to it and does not rely on the dash for power. Could it be the 4wheel drive indicator?

Thanks for posting the pic Russell. I'll snap a pic of the wire tonight and post.

[Bri87swb]

Originally Posted by 72 CustomCamper

It should go to the bottom left of the speedometer. Sounds like the 4x4 indicator lamp.Try turning the key on and shift it into 4x4 and see if the light comes on...


Chuck

Thanks...I'm sure you're right. I started thinking about it this morning and that makes the most sense. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to test it before I left for work. Thanks again for all the help.

[Russell]

That is an optical speed sensor

It makes a 2000 pulse per mile signal for stuff like a CCC computer, cruise control, TBI computer, or in my case, TPI computer.

[bigarmzz]

Originally Posted by Russell

That is an optical speed sensor

It makes a 2000 pulse per mile signal for stuff like a CCC computer, cruise control, TBI computer, or in my case, TPI computer.

would one like this with the "optical speed sensor" work on my 85?..it dont have cruise, or tbi, or the computer hooked up for that matter

ya think my 85 has a optical speed sensor?

[Smokin85]

It sounds like your talking about the light for the ashtray

[Bri87swb]

Originally Posted by Smokin85

It sounds like your talking about the light for the ashtray

It's not the wire for the ashtray. The ashtray light draws its power from the instrument cluster. This wire is different. The fitting that the bulb plugs into does not have any contact on it, so it is not drawing power from the instrument cluster. When I get home I'm going to shift the truck into 4wheel drive. I'm hoping that the bulb will lightup and the problem will be solved. Otherwise I back to guessing as to what it is. Obviously I have learned a valuable lesson...pay attention when unplugging things!

[Russell]

Yeah, must be the 4x4 light, cause I've never heard of one like that before...

[82 Silverado 4X]

Like Russel said, it's the 4wd indicator lamp. If you hold your cluster up to the light, right below the speedometer you should see the amber 4WD in one of the holes where you currently have a bulb. Your fiber-optic for the ashtray I beleive goes in the socket hole on the top right side.
I drove my truck for 3 years before I found it had an indicator light for the 4-Wheel Drive. You can test it before you install the cluster like 72Custom Camper said.

[MylilBowTie]

You can take a bright flash light and look at it to see what it says. It works most times to get the area to illuminate like it would if it came on. Could be something related to diesel also.

[Russell]

If you don't have anything listed that needs a VSS, then just unscrew the optical head from the back of the speedometer, and go ahead and sell it or something

[jfrank133]

where did you get the light bulbs for the panel, I also need to replace mine?

[Russell]

Any auto parts store will have em, probally find them at the local gas station too. They are a very common bulb

[Bri87swb]

Man the prior numb-nutz who owned my truck must have thought he was an electrical genious! I'm pulling out the early 90's pull-out tape deck, amp, and CD changer and installing a new system. The wiring job was botched so bad that it amazes me that the thing even worked at all. The truck only had two 3" dash speakers, but yet there was enough wire under the dash to fill a small garbage can. Unfortunately he snipped the factory wires and ran his own. Now I have to pull all of his crap out as well as the factory stereo loom. It's not such a bad thing to start all over, but what a mess!

As for the instrument cluster, I have got everything working except for the 4 wheel drive indicator. Don't know why it doesn't light up. For some reason the ashtray light has been removed, so I need to go to a junk yard and find one. Otherwies, the chrome paint worked out great and the dash lights up nice.

[SlapFish]

It's what Stacy David calls it, hacker patrol. My truck's been slightly hacked in the same department, but I was left with stock wiring. Just a quick yes or no question and I won't highjack this topic anymore but while I'm on the subject were speakers behind the driver availible on the custom deluxe trim?

[82 Silverado 4X]

Bri87swb:
If the 4wd indicator light doesn't work, the switch may be bad on the transfer case or it might just be unplugged at the switch.
If you don't find a socket and fiber-optic for your ashtray light at the junkyard just PM me. I think I have one out in the garage.

[Bri87swb]

Originally Posted by 82 Silverado 4X

Bri87swb:
If the 4wd indicator light doesn't work, the switch may be bad on the transfer case or it might just be unplugged at the switch.
If you don't find a socket and fiber-optic for your ashtray light at the junkyard just PM me. I think I have one out in the garage.

Thanks for the offer. If I can't find one I'll definately PM you.

Thanks again everyone! Take care, Brian