Hi everyone, I just bought a gauge cluster for my firebird and when i install it, it blows out the gauges fuse. This cluster is from a 82 trans am. My car is a 86 firebird, could that be the reason why its blowing out the fuse? Or is the cluster defective? Thanks.

 

bump

 

you know i had the same thing that you did, i resolved the problem by disconnecting my cruise control module. for some reason that fixed it so i thought the problem was in the cruise control system, but about a month ago i decided to play with it again and hooked it back up and it doesnt blow a fuse but it doesnt work either, im thinking mayb a bad VSS, but im too lazy to remove the cluster and buy the 100$ item. try disconnecting the cruise control module, its where the ECM is under the dash.

 

Thanks, ill give that a try on the weekend. I dont use Cruise Control anyway...lol How does the cruise control module look like? Do i have to remove any panels to get to it? Thanks again

 

its a small box about 3x2x1" with 10 wires going into it, on the product number it will start with either 250 or 251. you can probably acess it by removing the lower passenger side dash where the ECM would be, oh your bird it should be shoved up about half way and it may be tucked away good, if you have one, take off your glove pouch thingy and remove some pieces to access it there. to remove the pannels all you need is a 7mm socket and ratchet, its not a difficult job. if that doesnt work then i have a few other tricks up my sleve that take too long to type.

 

yeah, i have those panels out already because im swapping the cluster and bezel...lol...so the module is on the passenger side then?

 

yes, go ahead and look around, it may take a while to find it, if your lucky itll just pop up right in front of you.

 

I just tried your suggestion but it didnt help. I disconnected the cruise control module and the fuse blew out again. The cluster still acts the same, one light is one and one of the gauges moves very slowly. I had another idea, maybe since this cluster has the gauges instead of dummy lights, that it needs a bigger amp fuse, like 15 instead of the 10 thats in now. Should I give that a shot, or it may damage something? Thanks again.

 

Dont put in a bigger fuse.

you have a short somewhere in the cluster.

I dont know if the two clusters are compatible.

can you compare the two of them and determine if there is a wiring difference?

 

Would I be able to identify the short with my eye?. Also, a part of the circuit board on top is starting to peel. Like theres 2 plastic layers sandwiching the circuit. They layers are no longer together. Would that cause it to short out? Would taping it back together help? Thanks

 

Yes,

If they are seperating that can cause a short.

Taping them back together would be a good first appoach.

If you can plug the unit in and get to the back side. like lay it in your lap, you could insert the bulbs one by one. If the fuse pops look for the short in the foil by that bulb. Keep inserting bulbs until you find the short.

The shor can also be in the gauges.

This is the method of trial and success.

Check to see if this cluster has the same number of wires in the harness as the original one. If not that may be your problem.

 

Do NOT put in a larger fuse.

Its blowing for a reason...a larger fuse might not blow, but just might blow something else out instead

 

Thanks for the help. Ill give that a shot tonight. BTW, the fuse blows as soon as i mount the cluster into the dash. Would i be able to pull out the harness thats mounted in the back and attach it to the cluster on my lap? Boy, I'm going to need to buy a lot of fuses for this experiment..lol

 

Alright guys, i think i figured it out. I tried taping that part, didnt help I tried it with removing all the bulbs, no good. Then I payed close attention to the wiriing. And I found the difference. Look at the connctor for the harness. The blue one, which is the guage one from a 82 trans am has one fat pin, while the original doesnt. It just has all normal sized pins. So apparently clusters from 82-84 firebirds are wired differently than 85-92. So, anyone needs a cluster? $20 shipped. lol


http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t=IMG_0073.jpg

 

Update: I checked out a cluster from a 85 cluster and it still has that fat pin that mine doesnt have. Do they even make mechanical speedo gauge cluster on the 86?