Guage cluster problem??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jkade · 03-02-2007, 04:59 PM

The guages aren't working in my 86 K10. The gas guage is reading wrong, the oil pressure, volt, and temp guages aren't working either. The choke light is staying on also. Anyone have any ideas???
Thanks

jkade · 03-02-2007, 05:55 PM

Ttt>>>>

jkade · 03-02-2007, 05:58 PM

Just went out and looked and the guage lights wont even light up? No blown fuses.

BowTieOgre · 03-02-2007, 06:07 PM

Well when I bought my Blazer the lights didnt work, the engine temp sensor didnt work and the fuel gauge was twitchy depending on how far over the headlight switch was turned. I felt around back there and the printed circuit was frayed so I just got a used guage cluster with a good printed circuit and I was good to go, lights and all. Also, on mine there was a lead going from the cluster wiring to the frame just above the fresh air vent next to the E brake pedal that provided the ground...make sure that has a good connection. Hope some of that helps.

**Zoomad75** · 03-02-2007, 06:21 PM

I'd check the ground for the cluster. Then pull the cluster and look at the printed circuit like above. The printed circuit could be cracked or have corrosion on the copper where the light sockets go.

jkade · 03-02-2007, 07:24 PM

What color and where does the ground go?

boxrodz · 03-02-2007, 07:34 PM

On the '83, the ground for the cluster is black and runs into a spice (for the other ground wires) then finally to the (GRND) bus bar.

jkade · 03-03-2007, 09:01 AM

bus bar? I am from Alabama so I am a little slow. The dash lights do work after I checked them last night. The buzzer for the choke is even staying on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxrodz

On the '83, the ground for the cluster is black and runs into a spice (for the other ground wires) then finally to the (GRND) bus bar.

68GMC454 · 03-03-2007, 11:23 AM

glad somebody asked about this,,my gas gauge has always been off as long as ive owned my truck, but since i fired the alternator last summer,,wired the alt wrong after doing a water pump in a field..my gas gauge and the rest of them tend to be way off now...will have to look into the ground..

bigpig72CST · 03-03-2007, 01:21 PM

There should be a ground strap from the back of the motor to the firewall that is supposed to work for the interior guages. There is another that is usually about 3/4 of the way back under your box from the frame to sheetmetal that is supposed to help with blinkers/turn signals, etc, and there should be one from your gas tank to your frame that helps your gas guage read correctly. Something as simple as a ground not making a good connection can cause more trouble than you think.
I just had an issue with my starter not wanting to engage when the truck was warmed up. I replaced the ground strap from the motor to the frame, and that cured the problem. It was a lot cheaper than replacing the starter.

jkade · 03-03-2007, 05:30 PM

Well just goes to show never listen to what someone tells you without checking it yourself first. The PO said he checked all the fuses and I pulled most of them out and checked myself but it appears that I missed on fuses that was blow after I pulled the cluster all the way out and regrounded it. Replaced the fuse and everything worked but the temp guage. You can ground the temp wire and the guage will peg out. I replaced the sender and it still doesn't work. I fell like a big dumb ass for not pulling every single fuse out before I tore the dash apart. What ya'll think on the temp guage???

03-02-2007, 04:59 PM	#1
jkade Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: AL Posts: 2,517	Guage cluster problem??? The guages aren't working in my 86 K10. The gas guage is reading wrong, the oil pressure, volt, and temp guages aren't working either. The choke light is staying on also. Anyone have any ideas??? Thanks

03-02-2007, 05:55 PM	#2
jkade Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: AL Posts: 2,517	Re: Guage cluster problem??? Ttt>>>>

03-02-2007, 05:58 PM	#3
jkade Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: AL Posts: 2,517	Re: Guage cluster problem??? Just went out and looked and the guage lights wont even light up? No blown fuses.

03-02-2007, 06:07 PM	#4
BowTieOgre Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 1,461	Re: Guage cluster problem??? Well when I bought my Blazer the lights didnt work, the engine temp sensor didnt work and the fuel gauge was twitchy depending on how far over the headlight switch was turned. I felt around back there and the printed circuit was frayed so I just got a used guage cluster with a good printed circuit and I was good to go, lights and all. Also, on mine there was a lead going from the cluster wiring to the frame just above the fresh air vent next to the E brake pedal that provided the ground...make sure that has a good connection. Hope some of that helps. __________________ 1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads

03-02-2007, 06:21 PM	#5
Zoomad75 K5Camper Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 1,513	Re: Guage cluster problem??? I'd check the ground for the cluster. Then pull the cluster and look at the printed circuit like above. The printed circuit could be cracked or have corrosion on the copper where the light sockets go. __________________ Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP 1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper

03-02-2007, 07:24 PM	#6
jkade Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: AL Posts: 2,517	Re: Guage cluster problem??? What color and where does the ground go?

03-02-2007, 07:34 PM	#7
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	Re: Guage cluster problem??? On the '83, the ground for the cluster is black and runs into a spice (for the other ground wires) then finally to the (GRND) bus bar. __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin...

03-03-2007, 11:23 AM	#9
68GMC454 THE VILLIAGE IDIOT Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tooele, Utah Posts: 1,405	Re: Guage cluster problem??? glad somebody asked about this,,my gas gauge has always been off as long as ive owned my truck, but since i fired the alternator last summer,,wired the alt wrong after doing a water pump in a field..my gas gauge and the rest of them tend to be way off now...will have to look into the ground.. __________________ honestly honey,,i have no idea how that truck got here.

03-03-2007, 01:21 PM	#10
bigpig72CST Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Des Moines Posts: 55	Re: Guage cluster problem??? There should be a ground strap from the back of the motor to the firewall that is supposed to work for the interior guages. There is another that is usually about 3/4 of the way back under your box from the frame to sheetmetal that is supposed to help with blinkers/turn signals, etc, and there should be one from your gas tank to your frame that helps your gas guage read correctly. Something as simple as a ground not making a good connection can cause more trouble than you think. I just had an issue with my starter not wanting to engage when the truck was warmed up. I replaced the ground strap from the motor to the frame, and that cured the problem. It was a lot cheaper than replacing the starter.

03-03-2007, 05:30 PM	#11
jkade Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: AL Posts: 2,517	Re: Guage cluster problem??? Well just goes to show never listen to what someone tells you without checking it yourself first. The PO said he checked all the fuses and I pulled most of them out and checked myself but it appears that I missed on fuses that was blow after I pulled the cluster all the way out and regrounded it. Replaced the fuse and everything worked but the temp guage. You can ground the temp wire and the guage will peg out. I replaced the sender and it still doesn't work. I fell like a big dumb ass for not pulling every single fuse out before I tore the dash apart. What ya'll think on the temp guage??? Last edited by jkade; 03-03-2007 at 05:31 PM.



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