Help. Cluster issue - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

triophan · 01-18-2011, 01:50 AM

I got this old 79 C-10 earlier this month, apparently the gauge cluster was screwed because all that worked in it is an aftermarket tach in the place of the fuel gauge.

I scored a really nice '79 cluster today at the salvage yard for $20! And I figured it would be plug/play, but NOTHING works. Any ideas? Anyone got any opinions? I sure would like to have this thing sewn up tonight so I can get to work in the morning...

Or if anyone would like to shoot me a price on going through all the wiring on this dang thing...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5320509_n.jpg

Mr. 250r · 01-18-2011, 02:27 AM

have you tried checking the copper circuit on back

triophan · 01-18-2011, 03:01 AM

its burnt on the old one. perfect shape on the new one

triophan · 01-18-2011, 03:02 AM

Mr. 250r · 01-18-2011, 03:38 AM

if you notice on your old one the big plugin see how the gold pieces are coming up these things wear and tear so easily i pulled mine out and in the top left corner which i think the the ashtray light? but it was torn look closely to see if there's any tears even the smallest will mess up the whole circuit, if those are all good maybe the actual gauges themselves are bad

triophan · 01-18-2011, 12:39 PM

via my research, I've found that is a "fiber optic" ashtray illuminator. Could ALL my sending units be bad? Is that possible?

Would it be more practical to re-wire the truck with a kit or resolve the issues with a schematic?

customizer76 · 01-18-2011, 04:57 PM

Its not likely that all your sensors are bad, I think you have a power problem. Do the lights in it come on with the park lights? If not check for a ground wire loose below where the cluster fits and it should be off to the left side. If you do have a tester you can turn on your ignition and check for power on any of the wires coming in from the back to see if you have anything. Wish I lived closer, I rewired my all over using just straight wires. I think you have a ground problem though.

triophan · 01-18-2011, 07:24 PM

parking lights, headlights, tails, brakes, reverse lights all work. I think this truck's had this and that swapped, but the wiring hasn't been resolved.

terryj · 01-19-2011, 03:49 PM

With the old flex circuit being burnt like it is, have you checked out the connector itself to see if the problem isn't in the connector.

01-18-2011, 01:50 AM	#1
triophan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 61	Help. Cluster issue I got this old 79 C-10 earlier this month, apparently the gauge cluster was screwed because all that worked in it is an aftermarket tach in the place of the fuel gauge. I scored a really nice '79 cluster today at the salvage yard for $20! And I figured it would be plug/play, but NOTHING works. Any ideas? Anyone got any opinions? I sure would like to have this thing sewn up tonight so I can get to work in the morning... Or if anyone would like to shoot me a price on going through all the wiring on this dang thing... http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5320509_n.jpg

01-18-2011, 02:27 AM	#2
Mr. 250r Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: freeburg, illinois Posts: 885	Re: Help. Cluster issue have you tried checking the copper circuit on back

01-18-2011, 03:01 AM	#3
triophan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 61	Re: Help. Cluster issue its burnt on the old one. perfect shape on the new one

01-18-2011, 03:02 AM	#4
triophan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 61	Re: Help. Cluster issue

01-18-2011, 03:38 AM	#5
Mr. 250r Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: freeburg, illinois Posts: 885	Re: Help. Cluster issue if you notice on your old one the big plugin see how the gold pieces are coming up these things wear and tear so easily i pulled mine out and in the top left corner which i think the the ashtray light? but it was torn look closely to see if there's any tears even the smallest will mess up the whole circuit, if those are all good maybe the actual gauges themselves are bad

01-18-2011, 12:39 PM	#6
triophan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 61	Re: Help. Cluster issue via my research, I've found that is a "fiber optic" ashtray illuminator. Could ALL my sending units be bad? Is that possible? Would it be more practical to re-wire the truck with a kit or resolve the issues with a schematic?

01-18-2011, 04:57 PM	#7
customizer76 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 26	Re: Help. Cluster issue Its not likely that all your sensors are bad, I think you have a power problem. Do the lights in it come on with the park lights? If not check for a ground wire loose below where the cluster fits and it should be off to the left side. If you do have a tester you can turn on your ignition and check for power on any of the wires coming in from the back to see if you have anything. Wish I lived closer, I rewired my all over using just straight wires. I think you have a ground problem though.

01-18-2011, 07:24 PM	#8
triophan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 61	Re: Help. Cluster issue parking lights, headlights, tails, brakes, reverse lights all work. I think this truck's had this and that swapped, but the wiring hasn't been resolved.

01-19-2011, 03:49 PM	#9
terryj Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 139	Re: Help. Cluster issue With the old flex circuit being burnt like it is, have you checked out the connector itself to see if the problem isn't in the connector.



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