When i turn my blinker on all my gauge needles jump??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Hazieview · 07-18-2012, 06:16 PM

I am in the process of rewiring my truck and obviously did something wrong. When i turn my left blinker on the gauge needles jump. What gives?
Posted via Mobile Device

spencer_41188 · 07-18-2012, 07:00 PM

ive had a simular problem and there is a ground that is on your e brake i do beleave that is the ground for the dash eather clean it or move it

i moved mine to the 6 prongs in the firewall seeing the e brake bults where rusty and didnt wana break it

71swb4x4 · 07-18-2012, 07:10 PM

My first thought, even before reading Spencer's reply, was that you have a ground issue.

Hazieview · 07-18-2012, 08:03 PM

The only time it does this is when the headlight switch is on. Nothing works unless i have the headlights switch on.

Heck the dadgum key won't even start the truck.
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**hatzie** · 07-18-2012, 08:18 PM

The instrument cluster grounds are not good. All 3 grounds are spliced to a single wire in the harness behind the cluster.

motornut · 07-19-2012, 11:21 AM

here
make sure the circut board is straight too

Hazieview · 07-19-2012, 03:16 PM

I made sure the ground is good, the ignition power is good but I still have the same issue. Will not start with key, gauges only flash when light switch is pulled out to the on position and left blinker is on. I just don't get it.

Why would the combination of the left blinker and headlights cause this?

I did turn my engine over with a pushbutton starter but still no responce on any of my gauges. Blinker dash lights won't work.
Posted via Mobile Device

motornut · 07-19-2012, 08:26 PM

wondering if the cluster is the right one or wired right
do you know?
wires move with the different styles

Hazieview · 07-20-2012, 04:40 AM

Well I'm using all autometer gauges and a painless performance harness. I think the gauges are wired right.

What is throwing me is that the key won't start the truck and the whole blinker thing. The high beam indicator works. The headlights work when I turn on the lights. The headlights will go to high beam and low beam.
Posted via Mobile Device

WarBeard · 07-20-2012, 04:55 AM

This is a long shot.......I drive a School bus and one day During my pre-trip inspection. I turned on my left turn signal and all the gauge lights started to blink in time with the blinker. What it was, The left rear blinker bulb had shorted out in a way that it was sending power thru the ground wire. It's hard to explain.......Check your light bulbs.

Hazieview · 07-20-2012, 10:13 AM

An old timer at work said that my gauges could be getting power off of the headlights switch instead of the ignition which would make since. The only time I get power is when the headlights are on.
Posted via Mobile Device

71swb4x4 · 07-20-2012, 06:49 PM

That tells you that your ground is bad. You need the ground to complete the circuit. Without a GOOD ground you only have half so it's trying to pull power from the headlight circuit.
To test that theory hook up a seperate ground with alligator clips and see if it helps. It won't take much time.
Also check your grounds from the battery to the block, block to the cab, etc.

07-18-2012, 06:16 PM	#1
Hazieview Building Dreams out of Dimes! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bonham, Tx Posts: 892	When i turn my blinker on all my gauge needles jump??? I am in the process of rewiring my truck and obviously did something wrong. When i turn my left blinker on the gauge needles jump. What gives? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1981 Chevy short/wide. SB400 350th

07-18-2012, 07:00 PM	#2
spencer_41188 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: fortwayne, indiana Posts: 209	Re: When i turn my blinker on all my gauge needles jump??? ive had a simular problem and there is a ground that is on your e brake i do beleave that is the ground for the dash eather clean it or move it i moved mine to the 6 prongs in the firewall seeing the e brake bults where rusty and didnt wana break it __________________ 88 gmc v3500 bonus cab classy chassy conversion, 454, nv4500, np205, dana 60 front with spool, 14 bolt ff cac rear with locker.

07-18-2012, 07:10 PM	#3
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: When i turn my blinker on all my gauge needles jump??? My first thought, even before reading Spencer's reply, was that you have a ground issue. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

07-18-2012, 08:03 PM	#4
Hazieview Building Dreams out of Dimes! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bonham, Tx Posts: 892	Re: When i turn my blinker on all my gauge needles jump??? The only time it does this is when the headlight switch is on. Nothing works unless i have the headlights switch on. Heck the dadgum key won't even start the truck. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1981 Chevy short/wide. SB400 350th Last edited by Hazieview; 07-18-2012 at 08:22 PM.

07-18-2012, 08:18 PM	#5
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 5,013	Re: When i turn my blinker on all my gauge needles jump??? The instrument cluster grounds are not good. All 3 grounds are spliced to a single wire in the harness behind the cluster. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

07-19-2012, 11:21 AM	#6
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: When i turn my blinker on all my gauge needles jump??? here make sure the circut board is straight too Attached Images __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

07-19-2012, 03:16 PM	#7
Hazieview Building Dreams out of Dimes! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bonham, Tx Posts: 892	Re: When i turn my blinker on all my gauge needles jump??? I made sure the ground is good, the ignition power is good but I still have the same issue. Will not start with key, gauges only flash when light switch is pulled out to the on position and left blinker is on. I just don't get it. Why would the combination of the left blinker and headlights cause this? I did turn my engine over with a pushbutton starter but still no responce on any of my gauges. Blinker dash lights won't work. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1981 Chevy short/wide. SB400 350th

07-19-2012, 08:26 PM	#8
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: When i turn my blinker on all my gauge needles jump??? wondering if the cluster is the right one or wired right do you know? wires move with the different styles __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

07-20-2012, 04:40 AM	#9
Hazieview Building Dreams out of Dimes! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bonham, Tx Posts: 892	Re: When i turn my blinker on all my gauge needles jump??? Well I'm using all autometer gauges and a painless performance harness. I think the gauges are wired right. What is throwing me is that the key won't start the truck and the whole blinker thing. The high beam indicator works. The headlights work when I turn on the lights. The headlights will go to high beam and low beam. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1981 Chevy short/wide. SB400 350th

07-20-2012, 04:55 AM	#10
WarBeard Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Show low,az Posts: 808	Re: When i turn my blinker on all my gauge needles jump??? This is a long shot.......I drive a School bus and one day During my pre-trip inspection. I turned on my left turn signal and all the gauge lights started to blink in time with the blinker. What it was, The left rear blinker bulb had shorted out in a way that it was sending power thru the ground wire. It's hard to explain.......Check your light bulbs. __________________ 1978 C10 Silverado Big 10 350/350.. play toy 1990 V1500 Suburban 350/700r4..Daily driver 1987 K10 Silverado 383/400.. Wife's rig WRECKED! 1989 V2500 Suburban 350/400.. SOLD! 1974 C10 Custom10 LWB 350/350.. SOLD! 1974 C10 Custom10 SWB 350/400.. SOLD! 1999 Silverado Z71 LS1.. Wife's rig WRECKED! On the hunt for a new project....... I'm a Chevy guy.....I'm just not a "NEW" Chevy guy.

07-20-2012, 10:13 AM	#11
Hazieview Building Dreams out of Dimes! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bonham, Tx Posts: 892	Re: When i turn my blinker on all my gauge needles jump??? An old timer at work said that my gauges could be getting power off of the headlights switch instead of the ignition which would make since. The only time I get power is when the headlights are on. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1981 Chevy short/wide. SB400 350th

07-20-2012, 06:49 PM	#12
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: When i turn my blinker on all my gauge needles jump??? That tells you that your ground is bad. You need the ground to complete the circuit. Without a GOOD ground you only have half so it's trying to pull power from the headlight circuit. To test that theory hook up a seperate ground with alligator clips and see if it helps. It won't take much time. Also check your grounds from the battery to the block, block to the cab, etc. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

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