Question about lights in speedometer - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**COBALT** · 01-18-2008, 03:49 PM

Sorry...not the speedometer. The gas gage.

I finally got what I think are ALL of the lights finally working in my instrument cluster. So this may seem silly to a lot of you, but it's actually cool to finally get about 90% of the electrical systems working - especially under the dash after owning the truck for 7 years without a radio or decent heater controls. I've also been driving around with half of the bulbs burnt out in the instrument cluster.

Anyway my question: there's two lights in the gas gage. The one on the left says "brake" and comes on when I turn the key, but goes off immediately after the truck starts and I let the key go. The other....I don't know. It doesn't light up - ever.

What's the light on the right, and when should it come on? When should these lights come on and stay on? I don't have an owner's manual so I'm obviously trying to figure out what these lights are supposed to mean...

heavy71chevy · 01-18-2008, 04:01 PM

if its the cluster with only three hole cluster that would be the generator light and if my memory serves me from what mine used to do when i still had the stock gauges it lights up just like the other and only goes on driving if you have a battery problem or the altenator is on the fritz

**COBALT** · 01-18-2008, 04:18 PM

It's not a 3-hole. The center is empty.

Speedometer on left. Empty center. Gas gage on right
Below is Amps, temp, empty and oil pressure in that order.

69long"n"low · 01-18-2008, 06:16 PM

mine has a brake and overheat in the gas guage at the bottom

byrd · 01-18-2008, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heavy71chevy

if its the cluster with only three hole cluster that would be the generator light and if my memory serves me from what mine used to do when i still had the stock gauges it lights up just like the other and only goes on driving if you have a battery problem or the altenator is on the fritz

Gen light in a idiot dash is in the center hole where the tach would be on a gauge dash.
The two red lights in the bottom of ALL 1/2 fuel gauges is brake/temp
in the bigger trucks they say tandem axle/overspeed

Longhorn Man · 01-18-2008, 11:50 PM

And to add to what Randy just said, there isn't even supposed tpo be a bulb in it in a 7 hole panel.

**LockDoc** · 01-18-2008, 11:57 PM

-
Don't some of them have a light for the emergency brake??

LockDoc

67ChevyRedneck · 01-19-2008, 12:03 AM

Didn't drive the truck today, but I'm pretty sure one is brake, the other is temp. My temp one won't work because I never reinstalled the sender thingy when I swapped from the 6 to V8, I have an actual gauge for it now. My brake one actually works. I blew the MS a couple years ago and the light came on.

Longhorn Man · 01-19-2008, 12:12 AM

Not for parking brake, no. Just for hyd problems in the brakes.

**COBALT** · 01-19-2008, 01:24 AM

So if I loose pressure as the master cyl. then the left one should stay on. If my engine gets above a specific temp the right one should stay on?

Only the brake light comes on temporarily when I start the truck.

Longhorn Man · 01-19-2008, 01:53 AM

if you have a temp guage, then the temp light isn't even supoposed to have a bulb in it.
One part number for two aplications reduces overhead costs.

**LockDoc** · 01-19-2008, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

Not for parking brake, no. Just for hyd problems in the brakes.

OK, thanks for clearing that up for me Andy....

LockDoc

**COBALT** · 01-19-2008, 03:56 PM

Ah...explains why it never comes on. I have a temp gage, and it actually works - assuming the wire doesn't come loose and fall against my manifold.

01-18-2008, 03:49 PM	#1
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Question about lights in speedometer Sorry...not the speedometer. The gas gage. I finally got what I think are ALL of the lights finally working in my instrument cluster. So this may seem silly to a lot of you, but it's actually cool to finally get about 90% of the electrical systems working - especially under the dash after owning the truck for 7 years without a radio or decent heater controls. I've also been driving around with half of the bulbs burnt out in the instrument cluster. Anyway my question: there's two lights in the gas gage. The one on the left says "brake" and comes on when I turn the key, but goes off immediately after the truck starts and I let the key go. The other....I don't know. It doesn't light up - ever. What's the light on the right, and when should it come on? When should these lights come on and stay on? I don't have an owner's manual so I'm obviously trying to figure out what these lights are supposed to mean... __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA. Last edited by COBALT; 01-18-2008 at 04:19 PM.

01-18-2008, 04:01 PM	#2
heavy71chevy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: antreville, south carolina Posts: 873	Re: Question about lights in speedometer if its the cluster with only three hole cluster that would be the generator light and if my memory serves me from what mine used to do when i still had the stock gauges it lights up just like the other and only goes on driving if you have a battery problem or the altenator is on the fritz __________________ "Dixie Destroyer" 71 C10 LWB Fleet Future Blown Prostreet Monster

01-18-2008, 04:18 PM	#3
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Re: Question about lights in speedometer It's not a 3-hole. The center is empty. Speedometer on left. Empty center. Gas gage on right Below is Amps, temp, empty and oil pressure in that order. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

01-18-2008, 06:16 PM	#4
69long"n"low Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SURREY BC, CANADA Posts: 278	Re: Question about lights in speedometer mine has a brake and overheat in the gas guage at the bottom

01-18-2008, 11:50 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Question about lights in speedometer And to add to what Randy just said, there isn't even supposed tpo be a bulb in it in a 7 hole panel.

01-18-2008, 11:57 PM	#7
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,647	Re: Question about lights in speedometer - Don't some of them have a light for the emergency brake?? LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

01-19-2008, 12:03 AM	#8
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Question about lights in speedometer Didn't drive the truck today, but I'm pretty sure one is brake, the other is temp. My temp one won't work because I never reinstalled the sender thingy when I swapped from the 6 to V8, I have an actual gauge for it now. My brake one actually works. I blew the MS a couple years ago and the light came on. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

01-19-2008, 12:12 AM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Question about lights in speedometer Not for parking brake, no. Just for hyd problems in the brakes.

01-19-2008, 01:24 AM	#10
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Re: Question about lights in speedometer So if I loose pressure as the master cyl. then the left one should stay on. If my engine gets above a specific temp the right one should stay on? Only the brake light comes on temporarily when I start the truck. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

01-19-2008, 01:53 AM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Question about lights in speedometer if you have a temp guage, then the temp light isn't even supoposed to have a bulb in it. One part number for two aplications reduces overhead costs.

01-19-2008, 03:56 PM	#13
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Re: Question about lights in speedometer Ah...explains why it never comes on. I have a temp gage, and it actually works - assuming the wire doesn't come loose and fall against my manifold. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

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