batt gauge connection on 72/signal lights - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wade · 08-22-2003, 01:53 AM

hi there!!!!! just registered,great site!!
just picked up a 72 gmc, all original, trying to get all the lights and gauges to work and am having a tough time. when i bought the truck all the lights worked fine, turns, park, tail etc. when i got it home the tail lights dont work, sometimes when i turn the right signal on, the left one blinks! when i turn the headlights on, they work fine but the tail lights dont. sometimes there is a very faint glow from the tail lights but thats it, no brake lights either. I picked up a haynes manual, but the wiring diagrams in there are pretty much useless. any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

lastly. does anyone know how to connect a factory battery gauge on the instrument panel? this truck has a hei ignition system installed{dont know if that matters} i looked at the back of the gauge and there are no connections at all. gauge seems to work when tested, i guess my question is, what wires need to come from where to hook up the two points on the back of the gauge?

SEVEND2 · 08-22-2003, 02:07 AM

Welcome to the board from So. Calif

Check the voltage regualtor, also if you can crawl under and trace your wires, mack sure they aint grounding out some where

lots of real good persons here!!

if ya gots pics post them away too. on picture boards!

**68 Stepside** · 08-22-2003, 09:12 AM

ttt
First off, welcome!
Second, easy stuff first, check/clean all of your grounds. Start from there, it sounds like that may be your problem with the rear lights.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Longhorn Man · 08-23-2003, 09:50 PM

I agree that the rear lights need a better ground. You probably have a wooden floor in the bed huh? I don't even bother trying to fix the 30+ year old ground, just run your own from teh frame of the truck to the tail light bucket. Don't forget to scrape the rust off on the frame.
As for your guage, look on either side of the engine compartment. There should be small black 2 piece fuse holders in the harness. You may have to dig a little to see them in the harness, but once you find them, check the fuses...I'll bet one, if not both, are blown. You can install the common larger fuse, but the holder won't shut all the way. I have no idea where to find the proper size fuse.

08-22-2003, 01:53 AM	#1
wade Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: calgary alberta, canada Posts: 21	batt gauge connection on 72/signal lights hi there!!!!! just registered,great site!! just picked up a 72 gmc, all original, trying to get all the lights and gauges to work and am having a tough time. when i bought the truck all the lights worked fine, turns, park, tail etc. when i got it home the tail lights dont work, sometimes when i turn the right signal on, the left one blinks! when i turn the headlights on, they work fine but the tail lights dont. sometimes there is a very faint glow from the tail lights but thats it, no brake lights either. I picked up a haynes manual, but the wiring diagrams in there are pretty much useless. any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated. lastly. does anyone know how to connect a factory battery gauge on the instrument panel? this truck has a hei ignition system installed{dont know if that matters} i looked at the back of the gauge and there are no connections at all. gauge seems to work when tested, i guess my question is, what wires need to come from where to hook up the two points on the back of the gauge?

08-22-2003, 02:07 AM	#2
SEVEND2 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Menifee, Calif, USA Posts: 2,145	Welcome to the board from So. Calif Check the voltage regualtor, also if you can crawl under and trace your wires, mack sure they aint grounding out some where lots of real good persons here!! if ya gots pics post them away too. on picture boards! __________________ With a 1972 Chevy Custom-10 Long bed w/350cid th350, (under-construction). Progress on truck so far (follow link): http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=51051 and stage 2 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=58132 ~ "Why couldn't you have just put the bunny back in the box?" ~

08-22-2003, 09:12 AM	#3
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,692	ttt First off, welcome! Second, easy stuff first, check/clean all of your grounds. Start from there, it sounds like that may be your problem with the rear lights. Good luck, and keep us posted. __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

08-23-2003, 09:50 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I agree that the rear lights need a better ground. You probably have a wooden floor in the bed huh? I don't even bother trying to fix the 30+ year old ground, just run your own from teh frame of the truck to the tail light bucket. Don't forget to scrape the rust off on the frame. As for your guage, look on either side of the engine compartment. There should be small black 2 piece fuse holders in the harness. You may have to dig a little to see them in the harness, but once you find them, check the fuses...I'll bet one, if not both, are blown. You can install the common larger fuse, but the holder won't shut all the way. I have no idea where to find the proper size fuse.



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