I have a 1986 El Camino with 98,000 Miles and all of my gauges have stopped working, including the fuel gauge and thats one I really need.

the fuel gauge was the last to stop, I have checked fuses, Bulbs for the dash lights.
Any ideas where I can get the plastic electrical board that is behind the dash lights. I'm not sure if I'm clear enough.
But I removed the panel and found the orange/brown type plastic pc board that the dash light plug into and a part seemed to be darker , like maybe it shorted at some and I thought maybe if I replace this part it might take care of the other issues.

I will try to contact a local dealer soon but thought it might be cheaper to go somewhere else

Thanks

well, after spending some time looking thru the forum I found some stuff to check on the gauge issue..... Thanks

Any ideas where I can get the plastic electrical board that is behind the dash lights.
Dixie Monte Carlo Depot (http://www.dixiemontecarlodepot.com/subSections/s6.htm) has it @ $199. But I don't think thats your problem.

Oh great, you posted again while I was typing this... :cool:

Check the main connection on the back of the pod to make sure it hasn't worked loose somehow. Have you checked all your fuses and grounds?

Wierd problems with my gages turned out to be the connection at the back of the instrument cluster. The connector plug just holds the contacts against that printed circuit on the back of the instrument cluster. I cleaned both the connector plug contacts and mating surfaces of the printed circuit with contact cleaner and a little scotch-brite, and all is working fine.

I plan on checking these items this weekend. I didn't remove the circuit board but did see it. I ran out of time and needed to use the car. But this weekend is free so I can take it out an d clean it and check connections..

Thanks for the help

Elkyone,
I have had the dash off my 85 so many times I could do it in the dark. My problem was the lights behind the spedo were not working but the gague and tach lights would work. The last time I removed the dash I took evey light socket out and took the nail file to them. ( where they make contact with the ribbon). I also checked the ribbon for continuity with a tester. As it turned out the problem was at the connection point on the lower right side of the dashboard. I also cleaned up the connection pins with a nail file. I notice that when I put the instrument pannel to the dash that not all the pins were making a connection. What I did was build up the back of the instrument pannel where the ribbon attaches to the plug from the dash with some modeling clay (very similar to the consistency of silly puddy). This way, once I place the instrument pannel to where it bolts to the dash, all of the ribbon connections were pressing into the connector from the dashboard. I used to lose lights and fuel gauge connections when I would hit a pothole. Never again after the last fix.

I posted about this same problem.
so maybe I will tear it apart again and try the silly putty thing
Thanks... :D