Aftermarket Guage Cluster Issue

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Melloj123

Melloj123

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Joined
Feb 11, 2006
Threads
104
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457
Location
Houston, TX
I purchased an aftermarket guage cluster for my 77. Installed by plugging in the round connector and connecting the two ammeter wires. I know from experience the ammeter wires must be connected to crank. Tried to start. Nothing. After some trouble shooting with battery and fusible link I installed my old cluster and only hooked up the ammeter. Engine started. Is the aftermarket pure junk or am I missing something. It sure looks nice but not if it keeps engine from starting. Any experience with these clusters.
 
Is this one of those <$100 ebog units? I would guess that you will need to check the new unit to the old in every detail and find out why the new doesn't work
 
Melloj123 said:
I purchased an aftermarket guage cluster for my 77. Installed by plugging in the round connector and connecting the two ammeter wires. I know from experience the ammeter wires must be connected to crank. Tried to start. Nothing. After some trouble shooting with battery and fusible link I installed my old cluster and only hooked up the ammeter. Engine started. Is the aftermarket pure junk or am I missing something. It sure looks nice but not if it keeps engine from starting. Any experience with these clusters.
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I'm not familiar with the 77 wiring, but does your original cluster have a 30amp meter in it? You mentioned you have a fusible link, but also that you have individual wires going to your ammeter, which is curious.

In any case, the inexpensive aftermarket gauge clusters out there are typically 50amp versions.

If your oem cluster happened to be 30amp, that's very different wiring for the ammeter. The 50amp meter does not run full alternator/battery current through it, whereas I have read the 30amp meter does.

If your vehicle is wired for a 30amp meter, you may have fried the aftermarket 50amp meter (which is really a little voltmeter) during your test, creating an open circuit on your battery/alternator circuit.
 
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I would just swap in your amp meter into the new cluster….. IF …. It fits the Chinese copy
 
Your 77 cluster with 30a ammeter vs a/m unit with 50 amp ammeter. These two ammeters are completely different and have different stud c-c for mounting.

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Thanks all. Yes old guage was 30 amp and new is 50 so i am sure its fried. No mention of this in the sale ad and I am sure most are like me and dont know.
 
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