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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Anacortes. WA
Posts: 154
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Dash Panel Issue
Before I pull the dash panel in my 71 Jimmy I’m hoping someone has some ideas of what to look for to fix the problem I’m having.
When I bought the Jimmy in late 2018 it had an intermittent problem where, when the headlight knob was pulled out, the panel lights would go dim, the high beam indicator would illuminate when the headlights were on low beam (and would go out when they were out on high beam), and both left and right turn indicators would glow. In this condition when the turn switch was flipped in either direction the corresponding dash indicator would flash off and on (normal operation is the indicator is unlit until activated and then flashes). Until recently a rap or two with knuckles on the top front center of the dash panel would fix the problems. However this isn’t the case any more. All the conditions I’ve described are now constant and not intermittent. My thought is either the printed circuit has a problem, there’s some sort of short in the circuit, or a bad ground. Anyone run into this before? Thoughts, ideas or suggestions? |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 3,144
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Re: Dash Panel Issue
There should be a ground jumper from the headlight switch or the PCB to the dash. It's been many years since mine was apart so I don't remember exactly where the jumper attaches.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Anacortes. WA
Posts: 154
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Re: Dash Panel Issue
Thanks for the heads-up, franken. Seems like a possible likely source of my problems. I’ll look for this ground when I have time to pull the dash in the next couple of weeks.
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#4 |
All stock and staying that way
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Elkland, PA
Posts: 2,073
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There is a clip-on ground wire in the vicinity of the rear of oil pressure gauge. That's the only one I recall on my 1970 Blazer.
__________________
1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, TOTM winner December 2024! Medium Bronze poly, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, rear positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" HD Kelsey Hayes wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Currently frame off restoration finally getting close to completion.. ![]() 1970 K20, To be a clone of my Grandfather's K20, Dark Blue poly, 350, 4 speed, 16.5" X 8.25" Kelsey Hayes wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM radio. Latest project truck 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, Dark Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... ![]() 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 46k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 67k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Anacortes. WA
Posts: 154
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Re: Dash Panel Issue
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#6 |
All stock and staying that way
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Elkland, PA
Posts: 2,073
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One question I have with new reproduction harnesses for these trucks. Do they use a soy based insulation that attracts rodents to gnaw and chew the wiring like vehicles made for the last 30 years?
__________________
1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, TOTM winner December 2024! Medium Bronze poly, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, rear positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" HD Kelsey Hayes wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Currently frame off restoration finally getting close to completion.. ![]() 1970 K20, To be a clone of my Grandfather's K20, Dark Blue poly, 350, 4 speed, 16.5" X 8.25" Kelsey Hayes wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM radio. Latest project truck 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, Dark Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... ![]() 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 46k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 67k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,537
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Re: Dash Panel Issue
This truck is over 50 years old. Do yourself a favor and buy a new harness.
I still shake my head how people will spend $50K restoring a vehicle and not upgrade the wiring. The insulation on those wires is long past it's due date. I hope your truck has fire insurance. |
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#8 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Anacortes. WA
Posts: 154
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Re: Dash Panel Issue
Quote:
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#9 |
All stock and staying that way
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Elkland, PA
Posts: 2,073
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Frankly, it really isn't too bad. The forward light harness and under hood engine harness are pretty easy. The dash harness requires the cluster and glove box to be removed to gain access to all of the retaining points and connections.
__________________
1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, TOTM winner December 2024! Medium Bronze poly, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, rear positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" HD Kelsey Hayes wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Currently frame off restoration finally getting close to completion.. ![]() 1970 K20, To be a clone of my Grandfather's K20, Dark Blue poly, 350, 4 speed, 16.5" X 8.25" Kelsey Hayes wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM radio. Latest project truck 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, Dark Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... ![]() 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 46k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 67k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,537
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Re: Dash Panel Issue
Very easy. Taking out the old one is the difficult part. If you don't have any stubborn screws or connectors, the dash wiring can be replaced in an afternoon.
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Anacortes. WA
Posts: 154
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Re: Dash Panel Issue
So to close this thread: today I pulled the panel, replaced all the original incandescent bulbs with new LEDs, and made sure the two ground screws on the printed circuit were clean and tight. There is a ground wire from the back of the panel to the metal dash. One end looked suspect so I replaced that. The end result when everything was put back together is a brightly lit panel that functions as it should. Thanks to everyone who contributed with suggestions on what to look for!
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#12 |
All stock and staying that way
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Elkland, PA
Posts: 2,073
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Good deal
__________________
1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, TOTM winner December 2024! Medium Bronze poly, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, rear positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" HD Kelsey Hayes wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Currently frame off restoration finally getting close to completion.. ![]() 1970 K20, To be a clone of my Grandfather's K20, Dark Blue poly, 350, 4 speed, 16.5" X 8.25" Kelsey Hayes wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM radio. Latest project truck 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, Dark Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... ![]() 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 46k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 67k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels |
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