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!
John in RI
Supreme Member
close
Today
- Join DateAug 1999
- LocationRI
- Posts:5,277
- iTrader Positive Feedback100
- iTrader Feedback Score(170)
- Car1984 Camaro Berlinetta
- EngineLT1
- TransmissionT56 6-speed
- Axle/Gears4.11 LS1 Rear End
- Likes:128
- Liked:469 Times in 363 Posts
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.
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.
Senior Member
WildCard600
Senior Member
close
Jun 6, 2025
- Join DateFeb 2019
- LocationSW Missouri
- Posts:786
- iTrader Positive Feedback0
- iTrader Feedback Score(0)
- Car1989 Trans Am
- Enginesp357
- TransmissionTKX
- Likes:1,709
- Liked:198 Times in 156 Posts
Quote: \
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.
Originally Posted by ozwin
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.
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.
Supreme Member
Quote:
It’s Worldwide common knowledge many vehicles had only indicator lights instead of gages.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.
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Happy Racing !
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
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.
Junior Member
Quote:
I have a question about gauges as well! 1987 iroc, had to.replace the column, and put a m/t column out of an 86 bird! My volt and temp.gauges arent working. No power to alt plug under hood! Any help or advice any one could offer would be greatly appreciated 1,000times over! This issue is driving me Insane! TIA for helpOriginally Posted by ozwin
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! John in RI
Supreme Member
close
Today
- Join DateAug 1999
- LocationRI
- Posts:5,277
- iTrader Positive Feedback100
- iTrader Feedback Score(170)
- Car1984 Camaro Berlinetta
- EngineLT1
- TransmissionT56 6-speed
- Axle/Gears4.11 LS1 Rear End
- Likes:128
- Liked:469 Times in 363 Posts
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. )
Junior Member
Quote:
would the electrical part of the ignition switch have an effect on anything! Originally Posted by John in RI
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
Quote:
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.
Quote:
No.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.
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Happy Racing !
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Funny Car Fun Fact:Funnys can twist the crank so far that sometimes cam lobes are ground offset from front to rear to re-phase the valve timing somewhere closer to synchronization with the pistons.