gauge cluster illumination woes - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

capev86 · 09-05-2011, 09:19 PM

hey guys and gals,

my 72 suburban has some lighting issues in the gauge panel. as in only the right side gauges are illuminated when i turn the lights on and both directional lights are lit constantly. i do have a tach and vac gage added. was using a 40 year old circuit board but swapped it out for a brand new one to try and fix the problem (both are clearanced for the tachometer). i have tried wiggling the plug without much luck. occasionally the whole thing lights up. anyone else have a problem like this? i'm thinking it is either a loose connection in the wiring/plug or perhaps this is an indication of a burned out bulb?

CE20934 · 09-05-2011, 10:24 PM

Sounds like a ground problem. When I upgraded my cluster with Autometer gauges, the original ground wasn't enough, so I ran a 12 AWG wire from the back of the panel to under the column support bracket. I haven't had a problem since.

12 AWG is a bit excessive for what I'm grounding, but it works. If I had had any 14 AWG lying around, I would've used that.

68gmsee · 09-05-2011, 10:27 PM

The connector contacts are very critical and can get bent or damaged when removing or installing. Be sure and check that out carefully. If you can wiggle it and make it work, then for sure there's a broke wire, land or contact.

Autoblueprint · 09-05-2011, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

The connector contacts are very critical and can get bent or damaged when removing or installing. Be sure and check that out carefully. If you can wiggle it and make it work, then for sure there's a broke wire, land or contact.

X2...also...depending on the cluster itself...it is rather easy to plug the connector in 180 out of where it is supposed to be.

09-05-2011, 09:19 PM	#1
capev86 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eliot, Maine Posts: 1,314	gauge cluster illumination woes hey guys and gals, my 72 suburban has some lighting issues in the gauge panel. as in only the right side gauges are illuminated when i turn the lights on and both directional lights are lit constantly. i do have a tach and vac gage added. was using a 40 year old circuit board but swapped it out for a brand new one to try and fix the problem (both are clearanced for the tachometer). i have tried wiggling the plug without much luck. occasionally the whole thing lights up. anyone else have a problem like this? i'm thinking it is either a loose connection in the wiring/plug or perhaps this is an indication of a burned out bulb?

09-05-2011, 10:24 PM	#2
CE20934 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Help! I'm in an office park with its own network of freeways! Posts: 470	Re: gauge cluster illumination woes Sounds like a ground problem. When I upgraded my cluster with Autometer gauges, the original ground wasn't enough, so I ran a 12 AWG wire from the back of the panel to under the column support bracket. I haven't had a problem since. 12 AWG is a bit excessive for what I'm grounding, but it works. If I had had any 14 AWG lying around, I would've used that. __________________ '67 C20--427 tall deck/SM420, 4.10 HO52 (Michigan has not been kind to the Old Man) '95 Caprice--355 LT1/T56/3.42 8.5" 10-bolt (daily driver, almost 300k on the chassis) '07 Outback--wife's car. 125k & counting. No head gasket or transmission issues yet. fingers crossed

09-05-2011, 10:27 PM	#3
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: gauge cluster illumination woes The connector contacts are very critical and can get bent or damaged when removing or installing. Be sure and check that out carefully. If you can wiggle it and make it work, then for sure there's a broke wire, land or contact.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.