• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Instrument cluster issues

Huicho417

Well-Known Member
Local time
2:43 PM
Joined
Sep 15, 2020
Messages
353
Reaction score
129
Location
San Antonio , Texas
I restored my instrument cluster last week and it came out great. Took it all apart and repainted the orange needles as well as a fresh coat of SEM black paint. The best part was I found a liquid chrome marker to repaint the chrome outlines. When I reinstalled it with all new bulbs I was disappointed with the brightness of the bulbs. I will be replacing them with LED bulbs from Super Bright leds. The only items not working are the high beam and left side turn signal bulbs, everything else works great. I cannot figure out what the issue is. Would a missing speedometer socket and bulb cause this?

cluster 1.jpeg cluster 2.jpeg cluster 3.jpeg cluster 4.jpeg cluster 5.jpeg cluster 6.jpeg cluster 7.jpeg
 
I had a lot of problems with super light LEDS, so much so I didn't use them. Make sure the bare wires of the bulb are touching the socket copper strips and the socket is firmly in place....I bought all new sockets which fit more securely
If you notice the non LED bulbs had the bare wire long enough that each was bent into a U, This I think helped make good contact
The LED just had a single wire and I feel that was a problem
 
Here is the image from Hobby Lobby, but you can also get it through Amazon. Comes in three different tip sizes which is great to go from the larger border to small ones around turn signal indicators.

liquid chrome.JPG
 
I restored my instrument cluster last week and it came out great. Took it all apart and repainted the orange needles as well as a fresh coat of SEM black paint. The best part was I found a liquid chrome marker to repaint the chrome outlines. When I reinstalled it with all new bulbs I was disappointed with the brightness of the bulbs. I will be replacing them with LED bulbs from Super Bright leds. The only items not working are the high beam and left side turn signal bulbs, everything else works great. I cannot figure out what the issue is. Would a missing speedometer socket and bulb cause this?

View attachment 1090908 View attachment 1090909 View attachment 1090910 View attachment 1090911 View attachment 1090912 View attachment 1090913 View attachment 1090914
On the main board, its a printed circuit. Use a Q-tip and some CLR to remove the copper oxide build up around the socket plug ins....then swab it with clean water.and dry.....the metal should be bright. Test your bulbs and then the sockets for continuity.
 
First nice work. As stated above, the printed circuit board needs to be looked over and cleaned to make good electrical contact. The actual plugs for the bulbs do go bad so give them a re-look and if so replace them with new. I have tons so let me know if you need some. Now for the iffy part...those printed circuit boards are not the great technology back when produced. There are repops out there with better soldering and such. I replaced mine in my 66 Ply Sat and all the circuits worked great and still do. Other than that you are one the right path and the DIY work is spot on!!! Cr8crshr/Bill:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::usflag::usflag::usflag:
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top