[bazthespazz]

I just got my '84 back from the paint shop and now the gauges aren't working. I stripped all the chrome and I've got it all back together with the exception of the front bumper. I replaced the printed circuit behind the dash a couple years ago because the dash lights weren't working and everything has been fine up until now. I checked the fuse last night and it's OK. The dash lights work so I don't think it's a issue with a bad ground. Any suggestions?

 

[464elky]

push on the lower right corner of the cluster and see if anything trys to work.
If so problem with the connector to printed circuit.

 

[Joecruiser]

Sorry I can’t help but I also have an intermittent problem with my dash light. I’m going to try 664Elky’s tip next time it happens. I know I need the light switch mounting tab/bracket as it’s loose.

Good luck!!

 

[bazthespazz]

Well I tried the "push in on the lower right corner" and it made no difference. All the dash lights work and the factory clock is still ticking away. Any other ideas?

 

[Robert Jordan]

I know the transmission connector on my el camino got inserted backwards which caused a short and the gauges kinda worked , partially worked or some not at all. So it could be a shorting issue .

 

[tpiro]

take the gauge cluster out and test the gauges separately from the bezel with a battery briefly to see if needle moves.. takes 10 mins. If they work then you'll have to pull the bezel out and at the ribbon connector- check your connector pins to the gauges power side for continuity. Your ground is ok or your dash lights would not be working... I bet you it's that connector or the printed circuit board.. I've got one if you need.. cheap.. just pay for shipping..

 

[bazthespazz]

Gauges not working

I replaced the printed circuit board with a new one I got from Mike's Monte's a couple years ago and everything has worked fine up until now. I wonder if the vibrations from the body work and sanding jarred something loose?

 

[87ls5.3]

OK, I'm looking at my cheat sheets here and if your 84 is anything like my 87 the gauge fuse is fed directly by the ignition switch. Have you confirmed power to the gauge fuse?

Joe

 

[JJLT1]

x2 Joe
power supply is different for dash lites, clock, and gauges...
and I think there is more than 1 ground in the dash connector.. but they may tie together..
.
:texas:
.

 

[bazthespazz]

I haven't had a chance to check power supply to the fuse yet. It's back at the paint shop getting some things fixed but that's the first thing I'll check when I get it back. Does the power feed in from the left or right side of the fuse?

 

[87ls5.3]

Doesn't really matter, if one side is hot and the other is not then the fuse is bad. Only other thing if the fuse is getting power would be loosing ground somewhere.

Joe

 

[bazthespazz]

Is there any way to access the main dash plug from underneath just to check and see if that's the issue, push on the back of the plug to see if it's loose?

 

[bazthespazz]

Doesn't the center section, Oil Pressure, Amps, Fuel and Temp, just push in to the gauge pod on some clips that make the connections? Could that center section have vibrated loose during the body work process?

 

[464elky]

The gauges go in the pod independent of each other

 

[greywolf]

The clips that baz is referring to are the electrical connection for the gauges, gauge terminal pins stick thru the printed circuit and the little clips press each printed circuit pad to the gauge terminal.

 

[VinnyD]

Maybe this will help you.
Taken from a 1984 Factory service manual.

 

[JJLT1]

hey Vinny, heres some online Gbody diagrams you can link in future posts,,
they don't cover everything tho.. there good for the mid-year stuff,
maybe not the real early or late ones tho...

Wiring Diagrams

.
but !!! don't just copy the link to save it, cause it will be wadded up in all that veggielink BS,
and be about 4miles long,,
go to the site and then save it ...

 

[bazthespazz]

OK, I got time today to check it out in detail. Checked the fuse, have power there and the fuse is good. Pulled the gauge pod, cleaned all the contacts, followed all the directions about putting a block of wood behind the dash connector and foam behind the printed circuit board. Duct taped the back of the bar supporting the steering column. Still no luck. There's a little black connector that screws to the back of the speedometer that has 3 wires coming out of it, black red and green if I remember correctly. Well that little connector really doesn't connect to anything, there's no connection on the back of the speedo and no connection inside the end of the connector. What's it for?

 

[bazthespazz]

OK, I got time today to check it out in detail. Checked the fuse, have power there and the fuse is good. Pulled the gauge pod, cleaned all the contacts, followed all the directions about putting a block of wood behind the dash connector and foam behind the printed circuit board. Duct taped the back of the bar supporting the steering column. Still no luck. There's a little black connector that screws to the back of the speedometer that has 3 wires coming out of it, black red and green if I remember correctly. Well that little connector really doesn't connect to anything, there's no connection on the back of the speedo and no connection inside the end of the connector. What's it for? Am I missing a loose ground somewhere?

 

[JJLT1]

the connector on the speedometer should be the
Vehicle Speed Sensor or VSS ..
I believe it connects to the VSS Buffer Module and computer harness..