Instrument Cluster Installation

[Randy and Easton]

Gonna do something with either the dash or the nipple… not sure what but for now it ain’t going anywhere. Of course Easton said it’s jacked up and we should get Dakota Digital because he knows I will buy that to save my sanity! Kid knows how to work mom and dad….

 

[AuroraGirl]

Gonna do something with either the dash or the nipple… not sure what but for now it ain’t going anywhere. Of course Easton said it’s jacked up and we should get Dakota Digital because he knows I will buy that to save my sanity! Kid knows how to work mom and dad….

is it a voltage voltage gauge? from 1976? And your metal or your plastic is out of spec. yo ucan buy a new plastic back piece.
You can also do a dakoa digital if you want

 

[Randy and Easton]

Here is pics. It’s metal. I know DC dies but don’t think needle is supposed to be at 6 o’clock. Put cluster in and it does nothing.

How do I check if there is power at pins in cluster? Put a v meter on it and nothing….

 

[mtbadbob]

Here is pics. It’s metal. I know DC dies but don’t think needle is supposed to be at 6 o’clock. Put cluster in and it does nothing.

How do I check if there is power at pins in cluster? Put a v meter on it and nothing….

Do you have access to a wiring schematic for the alternator? Find out what wire sends the reading to the instrument panel and test it there to start with. I'm not sure which one it is, maybe someone can chime in on that???

 

[Randy and Easton]

@mtbadbob thanks, good idea. With that new C board I was unsure of how to test this prongs in the cluster

 

[AuroraGirl]

Here is pics. It’s metal. I know DC dies but don’t think needle is supposed to be at 6 o’clock. Put cluster in and it does nothing.

How do I check if there is power at pins in cluster? Put a v meter on it and nothing….

do NOT use that Ammeter. its not a voltage gauge!

 

[Terry Wilkerson]

Hold the black meter lead to a good ground, I used the door latch stud. Use the red on the guage attachment points in the dash cluster with the guage removed with the key in the run position. I can't remember which pin but you should get 12v on one of the pins. This just confirms you are getting voltage to the guage.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I agree, get a volt gauge and ditch the ammeter.

 

[Randy and Easton]

Ok, good idea. Thanks

 

[Randy and Easton]

Slight problem. There are only two contacts on the back of the cluster housing where amp meter was. The newer volt meters are 3e prong.. not sure it will work in my housing.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Hopefully someone that knows these clusters can chime in. I wonder if the third prong is for the light?

 

[Goldie Driver]

I know 75s had an ammeter- I thought 76s switched to a voltmeter.

Frankercluster at work here?

 

[Randy and Easton]

@DoubleDingo like background light or like a low amp light? @Goldie Driver thats an interesting question, maybe I research that but like you said… it’s the sum of many years.. I could write a book on just the year of the doors and trying to buy the right parts for the door panel install… it’s nuts

Gonna try and set up a run through my multimeter and see if I even have any amps on the contacts in dash and go from there.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Since I have never taken apart a square dash, I don't know if the gauges have individual lights, or if there are just dash lights that illuminate the gauges. I know standalone gauges typically have a light inside them and a separate wire to illuminate the light when the dash lights come on.

 

[Randy and Easton]

@DoubleDingo the entire cluster is backlit by bulbs that are behind the gauges and are powered by the circuit board. I was able to test the contact in cluster today and have power there so I’m sure it’s the gauge that’s cooked. We will order a new one tomorrow.
I did find a post on another site on how to convert to a volt meter with just the two rear contacts and adding a few jumpers but I would have to take cluster out of truck and that’s a pain with the mechanical oil pressure gauge. E said he did not care about volts so we will leave it an amp meter.
thanks for all the help. Got the temperature gauge working today. I’m an idiot and figured out we put in the wrong sensor. Needed a sensor for a gauge, not light… duh?
Randy and Easton