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328 Instruments All Went Dead

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by gatsby, May 17, 2007.

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  1. gatsby

    gatsby Karting

    Apr 26, 2005
    206
    half moon bay, CA
    Full Name:
    jim
    #1 gatsby, May 17, 2007
    -Was driving along and noticed that all the gauges on the intrument panel (Speedo, Tach, Oil Pressure, and Coolant Temp) stopped working. However the car continued to run well without missing a beat. All the light indicators (fans, defrost, parking lights, etc) are working.

    Any suggestions which fuse or relay to check, or could it be something behind the instrument cluster?
     
  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,823
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #2 Steve Magnusson, May 17, 2007
    Start with fuse #21 and relay "u" (key services)
     
  3. gatsby

    gatsby Karting

    Apr 26, 2005
    206
    half moon bay, CA
    Full Name:
    jim
    #3 gatsby, May 17, 2007
    Steve,

    Just checked fuse 21 and relay "U". Fuse was okay but replaced it anyway and also put in a new relay 30A to replace "U" relay. Car starts just like normal, but no movement on the Tach, Speedo, Oil Pressure and Coolant Temp.

    Any other thoughts guys?
     
  4. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,044
    USA
    #4 f355spider, May 17, 2007
    I would pull the cluster and check the connector(s?) on the back. Procedure is listed here:

    http://www.nwrfca.org/faq/dashlights.html

    Just put a towel across your steering column to protect things from scratches.
     
  5. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,823
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #5 Steve Magnusson, May 17, 2007
    Something you might try before resorting to Dave's suggestion:

    Unplug/inspect/reseat the single vertical connector on the LH edge of the relays (although this is not a big current circuit). If it seems OK, plug it back in and measure the voltage on the two VB (green/white) wires in the third position from the bottom with the key "on" -- should be +12V:

    If it is +12V, the problem has to be downstream (so follow Dave's suggestion)

    If it is not +12V, give a shout and we'll go hunting upstream.
     
  6. gatsby

    gatsby Karting

    Apr 26, 2005
    206
    half moon bay, CA
    Full Name:
    jim
    #6 gatsby, May 17, 2007
    Thank you both.

    Pulled the Instrument cluster and disconnected the major connectors and sprayed them with contact cleaner. Once I reconnected she started just fine and all gauges work again!

    Did all my relays and connectors on the fuse side for good measure. That contact cleaner is great!

    Thanks again.
     
  7. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

    Feb 18, 2005
    2,800
    Full Name:
    F683
    #7 eulk328, May 18, 2007
    Almost certainly, disconnecting and reconnecting the connectors fixed your problem rather than any contact cleaner. Having said that, the cleaner can't hurt and any time you have a connector apart you should use some as preventative medicine. The same applies to the ends or blades of fuses and relays. If you're working on your car and are near electrical connectors take them apart and put some WD-40, vaseline, copper based grease or contact cleaner on the metal contacts. The most difficult connectors to get at are the ones you really want to strive to reach and disassemble/clean/coat.

    A lot of people never do this on any car because you do "not" see the benefit down the road. In other words, you're not aware of problems that did not take place. The fact is many did not take place because of what you did ahead of time.

    Erich

     

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