Instrument panel question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**LockDoc** · 04-12-2008, 09:20 PM

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Something I never really thought about and I don't remember seeing any posts about it... Will our trucks start and run without the instrument cluster being plugged in? Seems like it should but I don't know. I know if it had the mechanical oil pressure the line would have to be capped...

.. Maybe I'm missing something.

LockDoc

Mudder · 04-12-2008, 09:25 PM

I think you are on the right track.

lowrollin70gmc · 04-12-2008, 09:35 PM

It will even drive for a few months with the cluster removed! Although I don't recommend it for speed traps and the such.

lts70 · 04-12-2008, 10:30 PM

I took my oil pressure gauge out of my cluster and pluged just it in while I installed my alarm and keyless entry. I had the rest of the cluster out for over a month driving it every day. The blinker and lights even work just fine without the cluster.

jayharrell · 04-12-2008, 10:31 PM

You can start and run it with out the panel plugged in, just be sure you don't have the carpet installed yet, that oil pressure line will go crazy on you. Ask me how i know.... LOL

chevguy7 · 04-12-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayharrell

You can start and run it with out the panel plugged in, just be sure you don't have the carpet installed yet, that oil pressure line will go crazy on you. Ask me how i know.... LOL

I started it about a week ago to roll it out of the garage and forgot about the oil pressure line. I'm just glad that there is no carpet in it right now.

mahanian · 04-12-2008, 11:58 PM

Most vehicles will start and run without a cluster, but they will throw a VSS code if they have a PCM. There are some exceptions though. I had a 2003 Ford Lightning that the gauge cluster had a faulty circuit in it. The PCM routed all signals through the cluster so this caused the truck to become possessed! The doors would lock and unlock whenever they wanted, the windows would go up and down at will, and the truck would start and turn off by itself....talk about freaky!

Bob 68327 · 04-13-2008, 12:20 AM

Yup , should run with out it . What's it doing ? Bob

**LockDoc** · 04-13-2008, 04:00 AM

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Thanks guys. I'm going Sunday afternoon to pick up the '67 I bought. The dash cluster is out of it but I wanted to try to start it and drive it up on the trailer. I'll post a couple of pictures of it in a new thread when I get it home.

LockDoc

Bob 68327 · 04-13-2008, 04:33 AM

Good Luck !! looking foreward to seeing more pics of it !! Bob

mahanian · 04-13-2008, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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Thanks guys. I'm going Sunday afternoon to pick up the '67 I bought. The dash cluster is out of it but I wanted to try to start it and drive it up on the trailer. I'll post a couple of pictures of it in a new thread when I get it home.

LockDoc

If you think there is a chance you won't be able to get it started, pick up a come-along (cable winch puller) like this one so you can pull it up on the trailer. For $15 you can't go wrong....

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=30329

**LockDoc** · 04-13-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mahanian

If you think there is a chance you won't be able to get it started, pick up a come-along (cable winch puller) like this one so you can pull it up on the trailer. For $15 you can't go wrong....

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=30329

Thanks mahanian, I have a couple of those and a hand crank winch on the trailer. It always seems easier if you can just start it and drive it up..

Gettin' lazy I guess.

LockDoc

04-12-2008, 09:20 PM	#1
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,777	Instrument panel question - Something I never really thought about and I don't remember seeing any posts about it... Will our trucks start and run without the instrument cluster being plugged in? Seems like it should but I don't know. I know if it had the mechanical oil pressure the line would have to be capped... .. Maybe I'm missing something. LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

04-12-2008, 09:25 PM	#2
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: Instrument panel question I think you are on the right track.

04-12-2008, 09:35 PM	#3
lowrollin70gmc Too many projects Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Fargo, ND land of the flat hills Posts: 1,147	Re: Instrument panel question It will even drive for a few months with the cluster removed! Although I don't recommend it for speed traps and the such. __________________ Andrew 84 GMC C1500 SWB 6.2 Diesel/700R4/3.42 "Grandpa's odd duck" 70 GMC C1500 LWB My first truck: shaved, bagged, and more: the lowrollin70gmc 68 K20 Suburban 12V Cummins/NV5600/NP205/D60/11.5AAM 3.73s "Dakota Cadillac" 63 Chevy II Nova Coupe 250 I6/T56/4.56s "Economy car" 53 Willys Wagon 350/NV4500/BW4401/HP D44/9inch “Winter Wagon” 30 Model A 16 Focus ST

04-12-2008, 10:30 PM	#4
lts70 1970 Daily Driver Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glenns Ferry IDAHO Posts: 1,038	Re: Instrument panel question I took my oil pressure gauge out of my cluster and pluged just it in while I installed my alarm and keyless entry. I had the rest of the cluster out for over a month driving it every day. The blinker and lights even work just fine without the cluster. __________________ It's not truly yours if you didn't build it yourself or if you don't do your own maintenance.

04-12-2008, 10:31 PM	#5
jayharrell Gettin By on Gettin By Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cedar Creek, Tx Posts: 1,033	Re: Instrument panel question You can start and run it with out the panel plugged in, just be sure you don't have the carpet installed yet, that oil pressure line will go crazy on you. Ask me how i know.... LOL

04-12-2008, 11:58 PM	#7
mahanian C10 addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,432	Re: Instrument panel question Most vehicles will start and run without a cluster, but they will throw a VSS code if they have a PCM. There are some exceptions though. I had a 2003 Ford Lightning that the gauge cluster had a faulty circuit in it. The PCM routed all signals through the cluster so this caused the truck to become possessed! The doors would lock and unlock whenever they wanted, the windows would go up and down at will, and the truck would start and turn off by itself....talk about freaky! __________________ Jared 67 C10 CST Short Fleet Big Window 65 C10 Custom Short Fleet Big Window 67 Camaro RS Last edited by mahanian; 04-12-2008 at 11:59 PM.

04-13-2008, 12:20 AM	#8
Bob 68327 72 Chevelle Club Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Newton , Iowa Posts: 2,052	Re: Instrument panel question Yup , should run with out it . What's it doing ? Bob __________________ I Have The Right To Remain Silent,But Lack The Ability 1972 Chevelle ... Mine 2006 Trailblazer... Hers 2002 Buick century ... Kids 2002 K1500 Z-71 EXT CAB ... Daily Driver 2005 Rockwood Roo ... For Camping 1974 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 84'' stroker

04-13-2008, 04:00 AM	#9
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,777	Re: Instrument panel question - Thanks guys. I'm going Sunday afternoon to pick up the '67 I bought. The dash cluster is out of it but I wanted to try to start it and drive it up on the trailer. I'll post a couple of pictures of it in a new thread when I get it home. LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

04-13-2008, 04:33 AM	#10
Bob 68327 72 Chevelle Club Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Newton , Iowa Posts: 2,052	Re: Instrument panel question Good Luck !! looking foreward to seeing more pics of it !! Bob __________________ I Have The Right To Remain Silent,But Lack The Ability 1972 Chevelle ... Mine 2006 Trailblazer... Hers 2002 Buick century ... Kids 2002 K1500 Z-71 EXT CAB ... Daily Driver 2005 Rockwood Roo ... For Camping 1974 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 84'' stroker

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