Short in Guage Cluster?

[swank60]

I did a search and couldn't find info on it, but isn't there a common short in the guage cluster? Something is grounding out in mine and causing trouble all of a sudden. When I turn on the ignition, the BRAKE light comes on (doesn't matter if the e-brake is on or not) and once started the light goes out at higher revs but at idle, its on sort of dim and gets a little brighter as the RPMs go up, then goes out. When I pull the fuse for the guages, the ground problem goes away (put the fuse back in, and the problem is back) - also, when the head lights are on, it makes the alt moan, but the amp meter reads normal.

Where would I be getting reverse polarity in any of the guages? All of the wiring is in good shape back there - as is most of the wiring throughout the truck. The only other weird thing that crops up is that I can faintly hear the seatbelt buzzer (which I usually cannot, when things are good)

Any ideas?

 

[patride71]

i have had some issues with mine too, but not sure if really related to the cluster or not.
my brake light kept coming on and off, but i think it is due to a short and was caused when going over bumps. i didn't feel like messing with it, so i just took out the bulb.
this morning on the way to work my charge light on the battery started to come on when i was idling at a light. i don't think it is the cluster though, since it appears the amps were dropping below 12 on the battery gauge. battery is new, so i am assuming it might be a weak alternator. alternator is original and from what i have heard they are notoriously week anyway.

Swank60, sorry to hijack and read my T stat thread because it is related to something you posted before.

 

[swank60]

If you've got the same short that I do, it may not be your alt. If my RPM drop a little below idle, I get the charge light and the brake light at the same time. Put the bulb back in your brake light and see if it comes back on (without the brake on) with the ignition on. If it is, you need to do a really weird test.

Well, first, try unplugging your GUAGES fuse and see if that makes it go out. Then:

1) find your fusable links
2) unplug them, turn on your ignition
3) using a test light, clip one end to the positive battery terminal
4) touch the end of each one of your fusable links (on the end that runs back to the rest of your harness)

When you do this, and you've got the same short that I do, one of the F-Links, when touched to the end of the F-Link will light up (if all is right, they won't light up - if it lights up, somethings grounded)

If it's the same as mine, and I've had this happen before, it'll burn out your fusable links.

I can't remember how I fixed it before...as I'm writing, it seems like maybe I unplugged a couple of the computers that are located under the kick pannels in the wells on the driver's and pass side just infront of the doors (on the inside) - all of this started when I jumped in the truck, started it, turned on the head lights, all before the alt kicked on and started charging, and the charge light came on.

I'll unplug the computers and see if that helps and resets whatever is going on. If it works, I'll let you know.

Also, I answered on your other thread.

 

[patride71]

swank 60, thanks for the tip.

if you try it or think of the fix, then definately post it. i would rather try that then buy a new alternator if i don't need one...

 

[crucible]

Also, make sure your marker lights are working and not shorting out. On my 83 60, the front marker lights didn't work when I bought it, and shortly thereafter I experienced a few similar things electrically with the gauges and lights.

As it turned out, the front marker lights had actually fallen out and were shorting inside the fender. The electrical diagram showed they shared the same wiring and sure enough, once fixed, the electrical issues went away as well.

YMMV.

Cruc

 

[swank60]

Good tip Cruc - thanks, I'll check that out.

 

[swank60]

it's not a short - a diode blew in my stupid (just replaced) alternator. The moaning sound is a clear sign, so I'm told. When I told the guys at the parts place (and I go to a place where these guys actually know cars, which is nice) about the weird grounding things and reverse polarity I was seeing, they weren't surprised at all...

So that was my fix (after going through EVERYTHING...lines leading to the radio, all the computers, relays, ignition switch, fusable links, etc...kind of nice that it only to 2 screw drivers and a pair of wire strippers/crimpers to go through it all...but still.