Instrument Cluster Repair

I pulled the instrument cluster out to aid in troubleshooting electrical issues.

There isn't much electrical that works on the panel at all. None of the guages work and most of the lights are out. I know that big round connector on the back is very loose and poorly connected.

I replaced the instrument cluster with one I bought in a set of parts on eBay.

The original cluster had poor connections on the back and even a couple of the pins broken off where that round connector goes on.

I wanted to keep the 76 style speedometer as it is miles only and the replacement must have been a 77 because it had big miles and small kilometers. I opened both up, and moved the face plate from the old one to the replacement.

I installed the replacement unit in the car and all the lights worked and the fuel guage worked and the alternator red warning light worked. The two lights on the right side behind the three smaller guages weren't working but they are probably burned out. I think half the bulbs in this car are burned out! I mean give me a break! If you can't replace bulbs, get yourself a bicycle!! (breathe! breathe!) ok, I'm better now! Where was I? Bulbs, ok, bulbs. I'd better go on bulb detail soon.

So I couldn't tell if the ammeter was working 'cause it didn't do much when I turned accessories on and off and I ran the car for a while and I think the temp guage came up a little but again, I'm not sure if it was working properly. I might have to swap around some guages between the two units to find a combination that works. I sure hope I don't have a bad sending unit somewhere.

Below you can see a picture of the plastic fasteners that hold the instrument cluster together (you have to pinch them from the back with needle nose pliers to remove them) and a picture of the small bulbs and sockets that go into the back of the cluster and also a picture of the dielectric grease that I use on all my electrical connections. The grease helps maintain a proper electrical connection as well as protects the connection from moisture.