66 Instrument Panel Need Some Help
I removed the instrument panel from my 66 and sent it out to be restored. It was gone for about 2 months and I just put it back in. The problems I'm having are as follows: the fuel guage is pegged all the way to the left, about 1/4 inch past the E. The dash lights do not work, nor do the tail lights, the headlights do work but the headlight indicator light does not come on(that is I haven't opened up the lights). When I start the car the backup lights come on and stay on even though the car is in neutral or any of the forward gears. The ammeter, temp,oil pressure guage, speed and tach all work fine. The blinkers work fine. The brake lights work fine. I replace the on/off light switch because the original was broken, I tried 2 new on/off light switches and neither seems to make a difference. All of these things worked great before I took the instrument panel out. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Bob.
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Re: 66 Instrument Panel Need Some Help
Good morning:
It really sounds like you may have 2 different issues.
Back up light and taillights sound like a miswired light switch while dash lights, etc are either missing 12 volts (fuse) or you have a poor ground on the dash panel.
Do you have a meter to check a few things?
Bob -
Re: 66 Instrument Panel Need Some Help
I pulled out a wiring diagram and am reminded the light switch also controls the dash lights so it appears everything is pointed toward the light switch and how it is wired.Comment
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Re: 66 Instrument Panel Need Some Help
Thanks Bob. I am unsure how the light switch can be miswired as it has a clip for the wires and it only clips in one way. The ground for the instrument panel seems secure as the other gauges works as well as the wiper motor which is grounded through the instrument panel. None of the fuses are blown. The light switch which I think grounds to the panel as well is secure. My thought was an improperly grounded light switch or a loose ground wire somewhere but I can't figure out where. I forgot to mention, when I open the doors the courtesy lights come on but I can't turn them on with the light switch. The light switch is working as the headlights go on but as I staed the tailights do not. Kind of strange but I know this club has many knowledgable people in it. I would appreciate any other thoughts. Thanks again, Bob.Comment
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Re: 66 Instrument Panel Need Some Help
Bob I rechecked everything and reinstalled the light switch. You were right, I thought I had checked it but there was a blown fuse for the tail lights. The tail lights and dashlights work. The backup lights still come on when I start the car. The fuel gauge is still not working, and the headlight open indicator light is not working. I replaced all the bulbs in the dash before I reinstalled it. Thanks for the help, but I still need a little more. It's tough when you have limited skills like I do.Comment
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Re: 66 Instrument Panel Need Some Help
I got everything tied down except the fuel guage and headlight open indicator light. Probably differetn problems? I checked the connections for the gauge at the back of the panel and at the tank. What do you guys think? Bad sending unit or ground?Comment
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Re: 66 Instrument Panel Need Some Help
Were these operational before getting the panel restored?
Have you checked the rear harness connector? Its near where your left knee would be when sitting in the drivers seat. You might have jostled a couple of wiresThe light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.Comment
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Re: 66 Instrument Panel Need Some Help
power for the h/light open is a light blue wire from the light switch. the ground comes to it when a switch is closed. First, I would check/replace the bulb again. chances are it is the bulb or no power from the light switch. it certainly is easy to blow a bulb when ubder there. Also, just a thought that if that back panel was restored and possibly coated, make sure the clamp on the socket is making a good ground. A metter would make these issues simpler to track down.
the fuel guage puzzles me a bit since power to it is shared with other operating items. power is provided to both the guage and sending unit when the ign is turned on. is there any movement at all when turning on the ignition?I was wondering what would happen if wired backwards?
Donald is correct that both power and grd go through that connectorComment
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Re: 66 Instrument Panel Need Some Help
I think the ground wire at the rear harness connector is good; the tail lights work, same ground wire.The light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.Comment
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Re: 66 Instrument Panel Need Some Help
Yes guys, I agree it is probably the bulb or a loose connection for the indicator light. I thought about the fuel gauge being wired backwards as well because it is buried WAY past the E, like a 1/2 inch past; but again there is a clip that only can be clipped on one way. When I first turned tyhe key the gauge moved from the E to its current position. Yes the fuel gauge and indicator lights worked before restoration but I did change the bulb in the indicator light. I'll check it to see if it's loose. The fuel gauge has me puzzeled though because as I said all the other gauges are working.It's good to have some people with knowlege(as opposed to myself) to bounce these things off of. Thanks again, Bob.Comment
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Re: 66 Instrument Panel Need Some Help
The leads that connect to the back of the fuel meter are in a clip that only clips on to the back of the meter one way. This may be an obvious question but I need to ask it. How would I reverse the leads to the meter? Are you suggesting cutting the wires and resplicing them or can they be reversed at the sending unit? It is not possible to unclip the clip and clip it on the opposite way; as I said it only goes on one way. Thanks.Comment
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Re: 66 Instrument Panel Need Some Help
The connector that plugs onto the gauge terminals can be reversed by removing the terminals from inside the connector with a small flat blade screwdriver. You may need to double check the leads to the tank sender to see it they're connected correctly. Refer to your shop manual. Cutting & splicing is a no-no.Comment
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Re: 66 Instrument Panel Need Some Help
Thanks. I'm sure the tank sender is connected correctly as it hasn't been changed. That's why I'm not sure why the clip is wired backwards unless that's how they rebuilt the gauge. Thanks again.Comment
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Re: 66 Instrument Panel Need Some Help
Robert, Double check that you have the Black wire to the ground terminal on the back of the instrument panel and not the brown wire.Comment
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