Gauge cluster

Ikeece · Jul 19, 2024

I’ve got a 1982 c10 Scottsdale. My battery and temp gauges do nothing but do function when tested on their own. I also accidentally broke the needles on the gas and battery gauge. I’ve been looking around for an entire cluster and i found one i’m interested and like more than my current ones but it is a little different than mine. I do not have either of the small wiring harnesses that are circled in red and the main wiring harness circled in green is white but mine is black. Should that matter? The one i’m looking at has a trip mileage counter and my current one does not. Should i look for another one that is exact to mine or try to work this one in and if so how? The one in my truck currently is the image with the choke light on.

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Rickf · Jul 19, 2024

Unless I'm missing something, why not just replace your damaged gauges? Make a close inspection of your printed circuit, looking for burnt paths.

Ikeece · Jul 19, 2024

Rickf said:
Unless I'm missing something, why not just replace your damaged gauges? Make a close inspection of your printed circuit, looking for burnt paths.

I figured with the price it would be to replace the two gauges i could just spend some more and get everything in case it was ever needed. Weird thing is, I hooked power up to the gauges not functioning in the truck and they work, then i used my multimeter on the retaining clips that the back end of the gauges go into to receive their readings and i’m getting correct readings from them. The gauges should be working right? or is there something else involved for the gauges to work

Rickf · Jul 20, 2024

Maybe bad grounds?

CheemsK1500 · Jul 20, 2024

Beware of junkyard takeout guages. Remember, most are nearly as old as yours are, if not older. Like Rick F said, it’s generally less hassle to change individual gauges than an entire cluster, especially when considering the large amount of variation between wiring, printed circuit boards and other electrical matters. Also look at your printed circuit board carefully. One little tear can make everything go haywire.

mlsceo · Jul 20, 2024

I replaced my temp and volt gauges with LMC units. Work and look great, $35 and $40 respectively. The temp gauge for yours is on backorder though.
What test method are you using?

75gmck25 · Jul 21, 2024

The clusters changed slightly over the years, so you need to know the year of the replacement cluster to get a good idea of whether it will work.

As it evolved, GM also changed the pinouts on that big connector, so even if it fits it might not make the right connections. For example, my ‘75 has a mechanical oil pressure gauge, so the big connector has no place for an oil pressure gauge wire.

Steelbuddha · Jul 22, 2024

You can get both the voltmeter and the fuel gauge new from LMC for less than $100. You're begging for trouble with used electrical components.

David King · Jul 22, 2024

Look at it this way, all the stuff you are talking about is 42 years old! I have an 85 C-10. Started having issues with the gauges and the printed circuit. Finally, enough with the in and out of the old cluster backing plate. Swapped out all the gauges, printed circuit, dash bezel, lens retainer, cluster backing plate, lens, lens retainer, directional lens cover. Replaced all the peanut bulbs with LED bulbs. What an amazing transformation! Looks beautiful especially at night with the lights on! Maybe $300-$400 investment but well worth it in the long run knowing you have it all done and it will just enhance your ride for the next 42 years! As a side, I also replaced the dash pad at the same time. Good Luck!

Steelbuddha · Jul 22, 2024

David King said:
Look at it this way, all the stuff you are talking about is 42 years old! I have an 85 C-10. Started having issues with the gauges and the printed circuit. Finally, enough with the in and out of the old cluster backing plate. Swapped out all the gauges, printed circuit, dash bezel, lens retainer, cluster backing plate, lens, lens retainer, directional lens cover. Replaced all the peanut bulbs with LED bulbs. What an amazing transformation! Looks beautiful especially at night with the lights on! Maybe $300-$400 investment but well worth it in the long run knowing you have it all done and it will just enhance your ride for the next 42 years! As a side, I also replaced the dash pad at the same time. Good Luck!

I recently changed all the 194 bulbs in my instrument panel to LEDs. Huge difference! You can actually see the gauges now. Very satisfying upgrade.

KCKKen · Jul 27, 2024

Ikeece said:
I’ve got a 1982 c10 Scottsdale. My battery and temp gauges do nothing but do function when tested on their own. I also accidentally broke the needles on the gas and battery gauge. I’ve been looking around for an entire cluster and i found one i’m interested and like more than my current ones but it is a little different than mine. I do not have either of the small wiring harnesses that are circled in red and the main wiring harness circled in green is white but mine is black. Should that matter? The one i’m looking at has a trip mileage counter and my current one does not. Should i look for another one that is exact to mine or try to work this one in and if so how? The one in my truck currently is the image with the choke light on.
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Can't say for certain on the lower of the two red circled connectors, but the top one is a sensor for the cruise control system -- if you don't have it you don't need it.

Take Care,
Ken Snyder
In KCK

Gauge cluster

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