I have a 1987 Iroc Z 305 tpi automatic with air conditioning. I have had electrical problems in my cluser for quite some time. First of all my problems lye within the oil pressure gauge, fuel gauge, and water temp gauge. First of all i have replaced the oil pressure sender, water temp sender, i have replaced the water temp gauge. Whenever I turn the key to the on position and attempt to start but not fully the water temo gauge needle goes past 220 and sticks at the top. also when the key is on the right turn signal light is on but dim, the oil pressure gauge is all over the place constantly and the fuel pressure gauge changes drastically constantly as well i jave completely taken out the dash to look for bare wires and lose ground so far I havn't found any. Is my problem in the printed circuit on the back of the cluster, and how do I check my printed circuit to determine if it is faulty?

 

This might be a dumb suggestion, but sometimes the seating of the cluster in the dash can cause very similar problems. If you take out the four screws that hold the cluster in place, and push on it in different places while the car is on, you can see if the gauges ever work as they are supposed to. Since you said you took apart the dash, you might have already done this, but if not, it is worth a shot, and is very easy to do.

 

Ya ive tried to do somethin similiar while the dash was out. I tried to wiggle and jiggle the connctors at the cluster in i noticed that the water temp gauge jumped around but other than that nothing. could I have worn out connectors at the cluster that is causing this?

 

A piece of the trim around the water temp gauge is catching the needle and holding it. It's a common issue.

My question is where did you find a new gauge? Mine is shot, and I need a new one.

 

everytime that the needle catches the trim I flip the needle down. I really beleive that my problem inlies within the printed circuit or the connector. I found both of my gauges off of moderndaymusle.com very cheap parts and reliable great place to do business with.

 

I got my cluster checked out today and the printed circuit tested with no flaws so if i don't have a bad printed circuit where do i go next? Any suggestions?

 

Your problem no doubt lies in the seating of the cluster.

Get a jewelers screw driver or something fine and pry up each pin on the connectors that plugs into the cluster. They are probably compressed and do not seat well on the printed circuit board when inserted.

I had the same thing happen to me when I pulled my cluster out and put it back in. Half he gauges did not work.

Just pry up all the metal tabs on the 2 connectors so when you install the cluster it makes a firm connection.