Instrument Cluster Questions.

[88vert5oh]

My dash lights are toast,what bulbs if any that I can use safely to brighten up the dash,my old ones where really weak.

Also my voltage,oil and gas gauges don't seem to work like they should.

Voltage gauge jumps up and down

Oil pressure gauge doesn't move really and stays on the low side,I replaced the sending unit like 4 years ago and there was no difference.

Gas gauge reads super full when I fill the tank.

It's been like this for 11 years and I only drive the car during warm weather months.

It's an 88 with 82k and stored inside all year round,age is catching up with her so I'm starting to go though and upgrade little things at the moment.

Thanks

 

[gearheadboy]

You can use 194 bulbs but some guys have used LED replacement 194's.

 

[jrichker]

The odds are you have a bad ground on the instrument panel. You will have remove the instrument cluster to check the connections.

See http://www.stangnet.com/tech/cluster87-93.pdf for a diagram of the instrument cluster wiring. Double check the pin description I posted below against the drawing above.

With the instrument cluster removed and sitting in your lap, there are two connectors for the dash wiring. Your point of interest is the outside set of contacts on the vertical connector. The second copper foil trace by the voltmeter is the ground. The 12 volt feed is the 4th contact. Check both the copper foil and the wiring connector for damage.
With the ignition switch OFF, check the resistance between the wiring connector ground contact and body ground. You should see less than 1 ohm.
With the ignition switch ON, check for 12 volts on the wiring connector 12 volt contact.

 

[Jace78]

Def check grounds, I believe the ground for the cluster is on the drivers side fender, either the one near the battery or on the forward side of the driver's side wheel well. Check/clean both...think about adding/upgrading ground wires, fixed a lot of problems on my car

 

[88vert5oh]

Awesome thanks guys.

Thanks jrichker,I'm glad there are people like you out there .

 

[Jace78]

Tach removal

Wiring diagrams/ground locations

Have fun.

 

[jrichker]

Tach removal

Wiring diagrams/ground locations

Have fun.

Excellent additions to the help notes....

 

[88vert5oh]

Update..

Cleaned all the grounds,replaced a few connectors,removed a old alarm system and soldered and heat shrinked the wires.

Took the dash apart cleaned all the connectors and foil.

It fixed the erratic voltage and gas meter but the oil pressure meter is still kerled....I'm adding a autometer volt,coolant and oil pressure gauges under my radio and calling it a day,I tested the oil pressure with a mechanical and it was fine.