This one is stumping me. Had to pull the clutch pedal in the wife's '84 while replacing the clutch master cylinder. Got it all back together, got the clutch bled, and prepared to take a test spin. Turned the key and started the engine, but got no activity in the instrument panel. Tach is stuck around 1500, temp gauge is in the middle of the scale, voltmeter is past the left end of the scale, and no bulb check. I'm prepared to believe there's a ground problem, but I don't remember disconnecting anything. Also, the "gauges" fuse shows good on both ends. We're a phone call away from taking the car to get new tires, but I don't want to drive it without working gauges. Any advice? Thanks in advance - Chris
[This message has been edited by CSM842M4 (edited 06-26-2019).]
Thanks, as always, Gall757. Not sure how the dimmer switch/wiring/connector could cause everything I'm experiencing, but these ARE strange little cars, and as one of the heavy hitters on this forum, I'm certain you've got way more experience and expertise than I can hope for. So that will be the direction I head when I get home from work tonight. Thanks again, I will update as soon as there's news. - Chris
It does sound like there is more than one issue going on. Don't confuse my number of posts with actual knowledge.....I've just been around for a while.
See, these are the kinds of issues that make me wish the electrical diagrams in the Chilton's manual were more extensive. It would be cool to be able to trace more than where the cigarette lighter plug light gets power from...
I don't know what manual that diagram isthe out of, Gall757, but its quite the bomb. I'm guessing the FSM? Anyway, I just got to be in the car for a minute, and the grounds on both multi-pin connectors are grounded, and the pink/blacks get battery voltage. So, the mystery continues. Hate to think I'm going to have to pull the instrument panel out, but it wouldn't be the first time.
Well, after ringing out all the traces on the circuit film and checking power, ground, signal and all in the wiring connectors, I plugged the connectors into the panel before throwing everything back together. Panel appeared to work as it should. Speedo was hanging around 25-30 mph, but it may just do that until it gets a signal. Hope to have enough free time to put everything back together soon, test drive it again and get it to the tire shop. Thanks for all the help - Chris