67 Belvedere - Major electrical problems

[robertheath]

In an effort to fix the fuel and temp gauges I pulled out the instrument cluster and replaced the voltage regulator. Now I have some additional issues. The list of problems is below, any ideas?

1. Alternator gauge works
2. Speedo works
3. Fuel gauge does not work
4. Temp gauge does not work
5. Oil pressure light no longer comes on and then goes off when I start the car
6. Dome light is always on but dims when doors are shut and brightens when the door is open
7. Reverse lights stay on in reverse and drive
8. Emergency flashers not working
9. Turn signals work
10. Headlights including brights work

 

[Cranky]

When I pulled my instrument cluster out to replace the bulbs in my 66, I laid it back in place to see if the new bulbs all worked before screwing it back in. Well, all kinds of things were screwed up when I did that. Is that what you are doing? The cluster HAS to be screwed back into the dash in order for it to be grounded or things will happen like you mention...and it took me several hours of chasing my tail before thinking about that being the problem.

 

[robertheath]

The cluster is screwed into the dash but I still have these issues. One other thing to note is that the brake system warning light is also on, however the breaks are in need of a rebuild so that might be legitimate.

 

[scotts74birds]

Try taking a wire from some of these to a KNOWN good ground. Rule-of-thumb for DC is if it dont work, check power. If it works weird, check grounds.

 

[robertheath]

Thanks for the tip. There is a ground wire that bolts to the back of the cluster which I've checked a couple of times but I don't see any other grounds. Also, are there any specific grounds that I should check?

I did realize, however, that I forgot to put the steering column ground wire back on after dropping the steering column. I'm assuming this could be part of my problem. I'm kicking myself in the arse for not taking a picture of everything before disassembling it. Does anyone have a picture of how the ground wire should be hooked up? If no picture, can someone describe it to me?