<gauges> What is this?

[7T2]

Replaced my gauge bezel today and I'm wondering where this wire goes or what it does? It looks like it got severed somewhere along the way, but I didn't see any obvious other end or anything. It looks like a ground wire for the lights, but then again not. It goes into a bulb connector but the actual wire itself doesn't look like it connects to anything.

If it were a newer vehicle I would almost say it looks like a fiberoptic wire, but I don't think that's the case. I didn't really pay attention to which gauges (if any) were illuminating before I started.

Any info?

[gmc67swb]

I don't have an automatic, but I've heard guys on here talk about a fiberoptic cable that lights your gear slector indicator on the column. I'm sure someone here will know for sure.

[neonlarry]

Thats a ground wire for you gauge panel.

[gmc67swb]

Originally Posted by neonlarry

Thats a ground wire for you gauge panel.

And there's your answer. Thanx Neonlarry!
Boy, I was way off on that!!!

[jostrans68]

if it has no wire in it it is the fiber optic looks just like mine Jack

[neonlarry]

Sorry jostrans and GMC67swb is right, I just look at a cable end where it attaches to the bulb. There is a lot of reflection in the first pic hard to make out. But there also should be a ground wire. Bet you don't have any light at your shift indicator.

[sdkid]

Looks like the fiber-optic for ths shift indicator to me, should be on the other side of the speedo cable though(mine is anyway). I also have no extra ground wire on mine, just whatever may happen to be in the main connector.

[687980chevy]

It's probably too short but the 73-87's have a fiber optic to light up the ashtray.

[Bob Moore]

It is a fiber optic but not for the auto indicator. I measured 2 I have and came up with almost 21 inches. Remember it has to go from the cluster to the steering col. The most common spot to start the fiber optic is closer to the center of the cluster and down low. 73 and up trucks used a fiber optic to light the ashtray.

[7T2]

Originally Posted by sdkid

Looks like the fiber-optic for ths shift indicator to me, should be on the other side of the speedo cable though(mine is anyway). I also have no extra ground wire on mine, just whatever may happen to be in the main connector.

It's just a bulb, so I suppose it could go in any of those holes. And no, my shift indicator is not lit up when the other lights are on. I don't even see the other half of it.

I thought it looked like fiberoptic. Didn't know they were using it back then.

Thanks for the info.

[7T2]

Originally Posted by Bob Moore

It is a fiber optic but not for the auto indicator. I measured 2 I have and came up with almost 21 inches. Remember it has to go from the cluster to the steering col. The most common spot to start the fiber optic is closer to the center of the cluster and down low. 73 and up trucks used a fiber optic to light the ashtray.

For the record, the end in the picture isn't where the cable naturally ends, it is where the cable either burned in half or was pinched off. I had another wire (one that somebody added for the stereo) that was pinched behind the bezel as well.

Since I have an auto trans and no other fiberoptic wires coming off the gauges I'm guessing that's what it is.

[gmc67swb]

Look on the parts board. I just saw one for sale.

[Longhorn Man]

Originally Posted by Bob Moore

It is a fiber optic but not for the auto indicator. I measured 2 I have and came up with almost 21 inches. Remember it has to go from the cluster to the steering col. The most common spot to start the fiber optic is closer to the center of the cluster and down low. 73 and up trucks used a fiber optic to light the ashtray.

It is for the PRND21...the perndle. That is the only fiber optic deal in these trucks. His was severed, brobably by some one trying to remove the inst panel and got a little carried away with the dykes.
The vans had them from the late 60's untill 81 in all non tilt trucks. They are a bit longer, but WAY more likely to find than the correct piece.

[purple gas]

my 67 GM, (formerly a standard) has a dangly wire with a light bulb that sprouts out of the back of the guage cluster ( idiot light type) any Ideas where it goes?

[gmc67swb]

Originally Posted by purple gas

my 67 GM, (formerly a standard) has a dangly wire with a light bulb that sprouts out of the back of the guage cluster ( idiot light type) any Ideas where it goes?

maybe to the heater controls?