Advice needed- Gauges pegged out

[Gone]

Took the Bee out today and got down the road when I noticed the fuel, temp and oil gauges pegged to the right. This has happened before on a few occasions...the gauges would peg while driving but return to normal after a couple of seconds. This time they didn't. Pulled the car over, switched it off, turned the ignition to "on" and the fuel and temp gauges pegged. When I started the car, the oil gauge also pegged and they all stayed pegged on the drive home. Parked it, let it sit a few minutes , started to up and it did the same thing. Thoughts?

 

[twecomm]

It seems to me like your voltage regulator for the gauges is defective. I would get it fixed otherwise you could fry all your gauges. Not sure for your car, but I believe it's located behind the instrument cluster. Terry

 

[mopar 3 B]

Also make sure instrument cluster screw's are tight. If loose will cause a bad ground and gauges will peg.

 

[Meep-Meep]

Yeah, could be the voltage limiter (silver box on circuit board) and/or what he said ^^^^^

 

[dburnett6263]

Ditto on Instrument Cluster Voltage Regulator. These are available in solid state now as opposed to the old bi-metal type. Might try Laytons. If not Auto Instruments. Location of regulator is back top left of the IP cluster.

 

[Grabinov911]

Shiny silver box in the middle of the photo is the voltage regulator. If the gauge console in mounted in the car, the VR is just to the right (toward passenger side) of the speedometer cable.

 

[Gone]

Thanks gentlemen. I'll get on this as soon as I get back from my vacation next week.

 

[Randra]

I made my own regulator. Mopar action had a good article about making one called gage rage. It was easy too do. Finding the parts was a little difficult. Because some of the part numbers were discontinued.The article is a few years old. But I found equivalent parts. Installed it and no more problems.

 

[super-bee_ski]

I do know that if a gage is "grounded" it will peg max output

 

[Gone]

Gents, is replacing this regulator something a novice can do? If so, what are the steps and things to be careful of? I'm not good at automotive work, so is this something I should take to my local shop?

 

[mopar 3 B]

The problem is getting to it. If you have big hands pull the cluster loose from the dash far enough to reach behind. Will have to disconnect speedo cable and battery. Then pull the old one out and push the new in. Make sure not to dislocate the capacitor wire while replacing the limiter or you will have radio noise.