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66 Belvedere electrical question

TonyB

TonyB

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I am wondering where the ground is mounted for the dash cluster on a 66 Blevedere.I have blinker lights, oil pressure light but dash lights and other gauges do not work.
 
I'm not sure but your problem may be more than a ground either way pull the cluster and see if the circuit board has a hot spot and you will be able to see the ground(s) better and check the one between the engine and firewall...
 
If you remove the cluster, and look at the circuit board, it should be apparent that about half of the traces are grounds.

Follow those and you'll find the chassis ground attachment point.

I'd start with the lights, since there are several of those, and you know one side is hot and the other is ground.

I wouldn't be surprised if the ground connection (or at least one of them) is the screws that hold the cluster to the dash.
 
Last edited:
There was a small metal plate about 3/4 inches wide and as long as the cluster that was located between the cluster and the dash, what is that for?
 
I've got the same problem (except for the fact my dash lights do work) so I'd be interested in what you find. A major culprit for non working gauges on these cars is a small plug-in voltage limiter on the back of the instrument cluster. If it goes sour, your gauges won't work. I replaced mine, sadly to no avail but it's something to look at.
 
Did you reinstall the small metal strip between bottom of the cluster and the dash? Do you remember a specific ground wire on the back of the cluster? I am going to take it back out tonight and check things over.
 
Just a quick question here...Do any of you have a color schematic of the wiring for your cars? The FSM...Factory Service Manuals...have them in the Electrical section but they are not in color. The color ones which helps when working on our rides, has the correct color wires, ground points, bulk head connectors, etc. You cannot work on these cars without one!!! I bet not a one on this post has either. I am not being critical per say but how do you expect to solve these problems without the basic manuals and schematics to assist in solving these issues out? It also makes it hard for us to decipher what you are asking a lot of the times too...Just My 2 Cents...cr8crshr/Tuck
 
Which one would you recommend purchasing that shows the things I need?
 
When I replaced the dash lights on my 66 Belvedere, I simply reinstalled the cluster in place for a test but didn't install any of the screws. That's when all of my troubles started and after chasing my tail for about an hour, I installed the cluster screws and everything started working like it should.....
 
Cranky said:
When I replaced the dash lights on my 66 Belvedere, I simply reinstalled the cluster in place for a test but didn't install any of the screws. That's when all of my troubles started and after chasing my tail for about an hour, I installed the cluster screws and everything started working like it should.....
Click to expand...

Yep Cranky...Happens quite often as even I have forgotten to ground the dash cluster to the dash itself. The metal strip that fits on to the dash cluster also is a part of the grounding system. If you both need help, PM me or chat here as I have thorough knowledge with the electrical and wiring that these cars and MOPARS specifically have. As they say...Been There...Done That so I at least have an understanding of what you all are going through...cr8crshr/Tuck
 
Tuck, Curious as to why you cancelled my invoice. I wanted to make sure about the part numbers not matching before I paid?
 
TonyB said:
Tuck, Curious as to why you cancelled my invoice. I wanted to make sure about the part numbers not matching before I paid?
Click to expand...

More of a mistake as a result of dealing with another buyer of some instrument cluster parts including the circuit board the we discussed. Just was getting hammered by him on everything including price that I just pulled the plug on what I thought was him and it was in actuality you by mistake. I have now decided to just hold onto my parts for the time being. Nothing personal as I know we had somewhat of an agreement. Maybe hit me up in a week or 2 when the dust settles...cr8crshr/Tuck
 
For the record, issue resolved, parts on the way. Thanks
 
If I recall right the dash cluster grounds through the dash frame via the mounting screws and housing. If you repainted your dash frame make sure to clean the paint back from where the lower dash frame bolts above the kick panel area also from metal at bottom of cluster.You can also make an auxiliary ground using a a large loop connector that attaches to steering column mount where factory ground wires connects. Into that large connector splice two green wires that end in small fork connectors that can slip under a circuit board mounting screw on the back of each side of the gauge cluster. Might want to install one of these solid state voltage limiters while you are at it.

http://rt-eng.com/rte/index.php/RTE_limiter

You can also make sure all your pins for harness connector are tight. I replace my wiring with new m&h harnesses from year one as well as ordered the well made, made in Canada boards..

http://premiumdashdecals.com/dash_circuit_boards.htm
 
Any part of the cluster can break contact... I bought a used dash off eBay and then sent it out for a rebuild at Bob's speedometer.... now I have two... and 2 decent heater vents.. to have on hand.... while I'm in their which will be soon I want to be thorough then out of the dash... but it's everything and a pain and once both sides of the firewall are strong the rest of the car becomes easy...
 
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