Hey guys,

Just bought myself a 1987 camaro and I'm having a few issues with the gauge cluster. The car USED to be base model v6 with the stock TPI system, but has since been swapped with a basically bone stock 350 out of an '86 with a four barrel Rochester carb instead of a TPI.

Basically, of the 5 gauges in the cluster, the only ones that work are the coolant temp, oil temp, and battery voltage. The gas gauge and speedo don't seem to work, neither do the lights that illuminate the gauges themselves.

The speedo plain doesn't work, the needle just sits at 0 and does nothing. I'm assuming the speed sensor wire isn't hooked up correctly or something or it's not getting a current. No idea.

The fuel gauge however, does work, kinda. Basically, the needle seems to sit at either a half tank or a quarter tank and alternates between the two randomly like it can't make up its mind. No idea what's up with that really. And with a thirsty engine like mine, having a gas gauge is kinda important. Wouldn't wanna end up on the side of the road somewhere out of gas.

When it comes to wiring, I kind of suck. So I'm hoping on of you smart people could help a guy out.

 

6-cyl cars didn't come with TPI. Only V8s.

NONE of these cars came with an oil temp gauge. Not sure where you're going, there. Aftermarket stuff, maybe?

Gotta tell us what you REALLY have. Can't help if all we can do out here is GUESS the same as you. None of us are going to be able to GUESS any better than you, since it's dark in Chicago right now and we can't see it at all. (yes I used to live in Chicago)

I can tell you though, 87 Camaro (6-cyl & V8 both) used a cable to drive the speedo. The gauge is purely mechanical like a 50s or 60s car. The speed sensor is "after" the gauge; can't possibly cause the gauge not to work.

Check the cable. Get that working. That'll take care of the speedo unless it's defective too. (highly unlikely but of course not impossible) Then after that, tackle the gas gauge. 2 completely different systems and issues.

 

Damn, oops. I'm typing all this up on my ipad so things aren't being very forum friendly. The car used to be a base model with a v6, now it's 350 carbed. As I said I've never really had a knack for this sort of thing. I prefer working on engines and transmissions and the like.

That being said, I'll have a look around for the cable for the speedo once I take the gauge off. The gas gauge, I'll have to do some more looking since I understand even less about it than the speedo.

 

When you remove the cluster you will see where the bulbs plug in (they twist out actually). If the bulbs are still good you will be able to follow both the ground and positive circuits on the back. I have seen where the flexible circuit board has cracked which can result in multiple lights going out, and possibly some of the gauges.
You may be able to see the speedo cable from underneath. It can be plugged in with little trouble but you will need to depress a clip to remove it.