Just bought an '86 Camaro Sport Coupe... having some gauge issues.
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: Fort Pierce, FL
Car: '87 Camaro SC
Engine: 2.8L V6
Transmission: 700r4
Just bought an '86 Camaro Sport Coupe... having some gauge issues.
Heyo everyone! Just bought a 1986 Camaro today, and it's a real pleasure to drive around, even with the weaker v6 in it. However, I havent been able to get readings from the three middle gauges for oil pressure, water temps,and battery level. When the car is in position 3(right before the position to actually start the motor) the battery gauge comes on, and they seem to be electronic gauges, but its just solid red with a battery icon on it. Feeling real confused about if they're broken or if I'm doing something wrong. Any help is appreciated, thanks!
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,259
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From: RI
Car: 1984 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.11 LS1 Rear End
Re: Just bought an '86 Camaro Sport Coupe... having some gauge issues.
Sounds like you've got a 'dummy light' cluster. A "gauges" cluster should have 3 needle type gauges in the center of the cluster; 1 for Volts, 1 for Fuel, and 1 for Oil Pressure.
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: Fort Pierce, FL
Car: '87 Camaro SC
Engine: 2.8L V6
Transmission: 700r4
Re: Just bought an '86 Camaro Sport Coupe... having some gauge issues.
I see. Any idea why somebody would set it up like that? I've never heard of a cluster that doesnt actually give readings before 
\
EDIT: it's the cluster with no tachometer and speedo that goes to 85mph if that makes any difference, when i look up clusters for my model year i see a few like mine and others with a higher speedo and a tach.
\EDIT: it's the cluster with no tachometer and speedo that goes to 85mph if that makes any difference, when i look up clusters for my model year i see a few like mine and others with a higher speedo and a tach.
Last edited by ozwin; Feb 27, 2019 at 11:41 PM.
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From: SW Missouri
Car: 1989 Trans Am
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Re: Just bought an '86 Camaro Sport Coupe... having some gauge issues.
I see. Any idea why somebody would set it up like that? I've never heard of a cluster that doesnt actually give readings before \
EDIT: it's the cluster with no tachometer and speedo that goes to 85mph if that makes any difference, when i look up clusters for my model year i see a few like mine and others with a higher speedo and a tach.
\EDIT: it's the cluster with no tachometer and speedo that goes to 85mph if that makes any difference, when i look up clusters for my model year i see a few like mine and others with a higher speedo and a tach.
I think you would need to talk to Chevy. I agree it's a really crappy setup, but not uncommon even today to only have "idiot lights" for critical engine parameters.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Mooresville NC
Car: LOWERED ♦ CRIMSON METALFLAKE
Engine: ► 400 KUBES ◄
Transmission: 765R4
Axle/Gears: EATON POSI 4.56
Gage Rage
Originally Posted by ozwin
I've never heard of a cluster that doesnt actually give readings
The problem persists as many new vehicles and their ridiculous “infotainment” displays still fail to have gages OR indicator lights.
We recommend you obtain a gage cluster from your friendly local salvage yard, or obtain a new cluster available from aftermarket manufacturers.
You can have the choice of analogue, digital, or top of the line digital that tries to look like analogue.
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Funny Car Fun Facts: Spark plug electrodes are typically consumed during a pass. After half way, the engine is dieseling from compression, plus the glow of exhaust valves at 1400°. The engine must be shut down by cutting off its fuel.
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Re: Just bought an '86 Camaro Sport Coupe... having some gauge issues.
Heyo everyone! Just bought a 1986 Camaro today, and it's a real pleasure to drive around, even with the weaker v6 in it. However, I havent been able to get readings from the three middle gauges for oil pressure, water temps,and battery level. When the car is in position 3(right before the position to actually start the motor) the battery gauge comes on, and they seem to be electronic gauges, but its just solid red with a battery icon on it. Feeling real confused about if they're broken or if I'm doing something wrong. Any help is appreciated, thanks!
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,259
Likes: 459
From: RI
Car: 1984 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.11 LS1 Rear End
Re: Just bought an '86 Camaro Sport Coupe... having some gauge issues.
Swapping the column should have no effect on the gauges. My guess is that those 2 things ( column swap & gauge problems ) are not related. I guess it's possible that teh cluster was moved when the column was installed and it might not be fully set on the cluster plugs. If the cluster was moved around when the column was installed than it's also possible that the cluster printed circuit has separated or has broken traces. ( VERY common on old clusters. )
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 36
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Re: Just bought an '86 Camaro Sport Coupe... having some gauge issues.
Swapping the column should have no effect on the gauges. My guess is that those 2 things ( column swap & gauge problems ) are not related. I guess it's possible that teh cluster was moved when the column was installed and it might not be fully set on the cluster plugs. If the cluster was moved around when the column was installed than it's also possible that the cluster printed circuit has separated or has broken traces. ( VERY common on old clusters. )
Supreme Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 10
From: Mooresville NC
Car: LOWERED ♦ CRIMSON METALFLAKE
Engine: ► 400 KUBES ◄
Transmission: 765R4
Axle/Gears: EATON POSI 4.56
Gage Rage
Originally Posted by bholmes
No power to alt plug
Find out if the alternator wiring has the correct connections.
The heavier red wire goes from a Fusible Link, to the positive stud, and should have power at all times.
The thinner red wire goes from a different Fusible Link, to terminal S (the sensing circuit) and should have power at all times.
The brown wire goes to terminal F (the turn-on input) from the FAN fuse, and should have power when the key is in the RUN position.
Originally Posted by bholmes
would the electrical part of the ignition switch have an effect on anything
If the iggy sw. activates anything, it means it’s OK.
But you might have a problem at the back of the dash where the connectors go in to.
The voltmeter and temp gage use the same ground line.
Look for a broken ground wire (black wire).
The other possibility is a damaged voltage line inside the cluster.
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Happy Racing !
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