So i'll start another and ask if anyone has found a viable solution to the "wiring" on the back of our gauge clusters. I specifically am referring to that found on the back of the 140mph gauges from an 87 IROC.
That which I am specifically referring to laughably is the pieces of flat copper laid out over the back of the gauge panel laminated together into some format that is intended to resemble PCB going from one gauge, to an indicator light, to the matching wire on the harness.

Years of stress has turned my "PCB" into junk and finding a replacement does not seem likely. I can't afford new gauges right now, so does anyone have any ideas for a replacement? I am sure I am not the only person to have encountered this problem.

 

Covans Classic makes a nice cluster swap package that includes a solution to the wiring connector.

 

I drool over the covan's packages daily, but on a limited budget, OMF.. one must fabricate

 

If you need to repair broken traces on the flexible circuit board, there are electrically conductive epoxies that would probably work.

 

I'd just solder jump wires to the traces if I had to fix that issue.

 

I did just that. Just one of the 3 or 4 wires used in various places.

 

Did that work well (replacing it with wire) ? I don't want a jitney jungle behind the cluster. What gauge of wire did you use ?

 

No problems so far. If memory serves, that is 24 AWG wire that is available to me at work. Should be no problems using up to 16 AWG or even 14 AWG. Notice I even took care of a few loose grounds by soldering the lugs to the copper trace.