It seems that my right side gauges (Temp,Volt,Tach) are'nt working while the gauges on the left are. I know, I know...I cleaned the contacts on the cluster and the harness that has the terminals on it. I broke out the shop manual and looked at the pin-outs. I took a meter and put one test lead on one of the ground terminals and the other on the hot lead going to the tach. With the switch in RUN, I got 12 volts...ok. I put the other test lead on the volt terminal and got 12 volts as well. It least I know the harness is getting power. I checked the ground that is going to the convenience center bracket and it was good. I noticed the cluster harness has several ground terminals on it as well. Anyone else have this problem before I go looking for a new cluster. If I can make a cluster with aftermarket gauges, I would. My problem might would be with the tach and speedo. The speedo does'nt have a cable and I'm not sure how to wire that all up anyway. Any suggesstions?

Ken

 

Gauge Cluster Ground Bypass

 

not working as in needles wobbles around? or not moving around.

if the needles are moving around but inaccurately,
it might be the spring worn behind the needles.
if u taken out needles before and put it back in,
there's a chance u damaged it. i broke 2 of mine
and i was just lazy bought myself a new used cluster..

 

I had a simular problem about 8 years ago, what happened is that in the circut board in the back of the cluster the ground had cracked so the one side wasn't geting ground, all the lights and gauges on that side didn't work. If I remember right it was right behind one of the contacts of one of the bulbs, at a real narrow part of the "wiring". I hope this helps. David

P.S. I forgot, how I fixed it is that I put in a jumper wire from one side to the other, I just can't remember wether I sodered it or just used the bulb sockets to hold the wire, it has been a while.

 

I see you are on the west coast, I sent my RS cluster to Lauderdale Speedometer in Ft.Lauderdale, FL and they were able to bench test it for a charge of $35 and determined the problems I have (speedo does not read until you have driven 10-30 miles, then springs to life, gas guage is in accurate) were elsewhere.

If nobody else can do it, call information for the 954 area code and get the address, send it to them. Good people to deal with.

 

TechSmurf gave me an idea. Although my cluster is'nt the same as hte one in the repair article, I can take out the cluster and look closely at the traces that run around the board on that side and especially at around the bulb holders. Anyone know where I can get some extra of those?

Ken

 

You can get new bulb holders from either GM or aftermarket resto shops. Speaking of which, you can get a new printed circuit for your cluster from Classic Industries...

 

If you need a cluster rebuilt you can send it to these guys Speedometer Repair Tachometer Clock and Gauge Restoration for Musclecars and Vintage Automobiles. They take a long time but do a good job. They are located in Martinsville, VA and are pretty helpful just very busy which is why they can take a month or two to get your parts back to you.

I know your cluster does need to be replaced but many of my gauges I have realized need to be recalibrated. Another option if you hate your cluster is Covan's Classic Automotive Specialties Shopping Cart - Select an item. Unfortunately they only do 82-89 Camaro clusters.

 

hey guys, i bought a gauge cluster for my firebird that keeps blowing the fuse. Would fixing the ground on the cluster help me? Thanks