Gauge Issues - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kcackler · 03-01-2009, 05:09 PM

I recently purchased a 77 Chevy Pickup (Scottsdale) and am slowly but surely working on fixing the various issues that I'm finding.

The first thing I've decided to tackle, since it's hopefully one of the cheapest, is the fixing of various gauge issues the truck has. Here they are in no particular order:

1 - The gas gauge always reads above full. I assume the sending unit is out?

2 - The speedometer is loose, for lack of a better word. When driving, the speedometer may fluctuate 5-10 MPH, even when the speed is constant. When I force the gauge up and let go, it just slowly falls back down. Is it not supposed to snap back down to 0 more quickly? Maybe the cable from the tranny is worn out?

3 - The temperature gauge only moves a little less than a notch for some reason. It's obviously somewhat working, because when the truck is warmed up, the needle is off of the C, but it's nowhere near where it needs to be.

4 - The most frustrating - The gauge lights are very loose. I replaced a few of the bulbs, but had to wiggle them just right to get them working. I've got a feeling that the first time I hit a nice bump, they'll get loose again. Is there any way to tighten the sockets that they go into?

5 - The gear selection needle is broken. It's obvious that the needle is supposed to connect to the steering column with something, but I've got no idea what. Right now there is a string tied to the needle, but it's not connected to anything. It was obviously an attempt at fixing it.

6 - Is there anywhere that I can buy a new dashboard for the truck? The current one is old and beat up and sun damaged and cracked, and looks like crap. Is there anyone that makes replacements?

I think that wraps up my dash questions for now. Any help or advice is much appreciated.

Vixvega · 03-01-2009, 05:35 PM

LMC truck or Classic Parts are 2 good places to start. Bring your checkbook. Or check with some local wrecking yards, some places have a soft spot for these trucks. We have a place that has never crushed a car, 5000 of them from the 50s to today.

BLE 'BURBAN · 03-01-2009, 06:07 PM

Replacement sockets are available at NAPA under part # LS6501 to fit the larger openings (5/8") and LS6500 for the smaller openings(1/2")
Generally the smaller ones are used to replace socket/bulb combo part # PC194 since you can't replace just the bulb in them and they can be hard to find at times.

BLE 'BURBAN · 03-01-2009, 06:14 PM

5 - The gear selection needle is broken. It's obvious that the needle is supposed to connect to the steering column with something, but I've got no idea what. Right now there is a string tied to the needle, but it's not connected to anything. It was obviously an attempt at fixing it.

This is what it should look like on the end of the "string. It simply slides onto the lower portion of the steering column shroud.

kcackler · 03-01-2009, 06:23 PM

Thank you for that picture. I now see that my "string" is the correct part, but it's snapped, which is why the needle isn't moving. If you know where I can find a replacement "string", I'd appreciate it. If not, it looks like I'll be buying the whole assembly (Which I can't imagine is too expensive..)

BLE 'BURBAN · 03-01-2009, 06:31 PM

LMC carries the PRNDL indicators

kcackler · 03-01-2009, 06:37 PM

Already placed my order - Thanks

03-01-2009, 05:09 PM	#1
kcackler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Russellville, AR Posts: 164	Dashboard/Cluster questions I recently purchased a 77 Chevy Pickup (Scottsdale) and am slowly but surely working on fixing the various issues that I'm finding. The first thing I've decided to tackle, since it's hopefully one of the cheapest, is the fixing of various gauge issues the truck has. Here they are in no particular order: 1 - The gas gauge always reads above full. I assume the sending unit is out? 2 - The speedometer is loose, for lack of a better word. When driving, the speedometer may fluctuate 5-10 MPH, even when the speed is constant. When I force the gauge up and let go, it just slowly falls back down. Is it not supposed to snap back down to 0 more quickly? Maybe the cable from the tranny is worn out? 3 - The temperature gauge only moves a little less than a notch for some reason. It's obviously somewhat working, because when the truck is warmed up, the needle is off of the C, but it's nowhere near where it needs to be. 4 - The most frustrating - The gauge lights are very loose. I replaced a few of the bulbs, but had to wiggle them just right to get them working. I've got a feeling that the first time I hit a nice bump, they'll get loose again. Is there any way to tighten the sockets that they go into? 5 - The gear selection needle is broken. It's obvious that the needle is supposed to connect to the steering column with something, but I've got no idea what. Right now there is a string tied to the needle, but it's not connected to anything. It was obviously an attempt at fixing it. 6 - Is there anywhere that I can buy a new dashboard for the truck? The current one is old and beat up and sun damaged and cracked, and looks like crap. Is there anyone that makes replacements? I think that wraps up my dash questions for now. Any help or advice is much appreciated. Last edited by kcackler; 03-01-2009 at 05:10 PM.

03-01-2009, 05:35 PM	#2
Vixvega Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Fogelsville, Pa. Posts: 68	Re: Gauge Issues LMC truck or Classic Parts are 2 good places to start. Bring your checkbook. Or check with some local wrecking yards, some places have a soft spot for these trucks. We have a place that has never crushed a car, 5000 of them from the 50s to today.

03-01-2009, 06:07 PM	#3
BLE 'BURBAN In the Forgotten far North. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,627	Re: Gauge Issues Replacement sockets are available at NAPA under part # LS6501 to fit the larger openings (5/8") and LS6500 for the smaller openings(1/2") Generally the smaller ones are used to replace socket/bulb combo part # PC194 since you can't replace just the bulb in them and they can be hard to find at times. __________________ 1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade Last edited by BLE 'BURBAN; 03-01-2009 at 06:10 PM.

03-01-2009, 06:14 PM	#4
BLE 'BURBAN In the Forgotten far North. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,627	Re: Gauge Issues 5 - The gear selection needle is broken. It's obvious that the needle is supposed to connect to the steering column with something, but I've got no idea what. Right now there is a string tied to the needle, but it's not connected to anything. It was obviously an attempt at fixing it. This is what it should look like on the end of the "string. It simply slides onto the lower portion of the steering column shroud. Attached Images __________________ 1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade Last edited by BLE 'BURBAN; 03-01-2009 at 06:16 PM.

03-01-2009, 06:23 PM	#5
kcackler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Russellville, AR Posts: 164	Re: Gauge Issues Thank you for that picture. I now see that my "string" is the correct part, but it's snapped, which is why the needle isn't moving. If you know where I can find a replacement "string", I'd appreciate it. If not, it looks like I'll be buying the whole assembly (Which I can't imagine is too expensive..)

03-01-2009, 06:31 PM	#6
BLE 'BURBAN In the Forgotten far North. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,627	Re: Gauge Issues LMC carries the PRNDL indicators __________________ 1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade

03-01-2009, 06:37 PM	#7
kcackler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Russellville, AR Posts: 164	Re: Gauge Issues Already placed my order - Thanks



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