Voltage Limiter location and disassembly

[Maus]

I've searching this forum for a while now, and it seems a lot of people have problems with their fuel and temperature gauges not working due to a faulty voltage limiter.
But I can't find a treat on how to get to the limiter or how to take it out of the instrument panel.
I have a original workshop manual, and it says to to take out the entire instrument cluster and also lower the steering colum.
Isn't there another way of replacing the voltage limiter?

1974 Dodge Coronet Custom Sedan

 

[Rick@Laysons]

FIRST THING TO DO.....dis-connect the battery cable.

The voltage limiter is attached to the printed circut board on the back of the instrument cluster housing.

You do have to remove the cluster housing to get to it.

 

[Arlo Price]

Have you checked the fuel sending unit ground strap where the sending unit connects to a short rubber fuel line that connects to the steel fuel line that runs along the chassis? For the temp gauge, the issue is usually the temperature sending unit or the wiring coming off of it.

 

[Arlo Price]

Here's some pix

 

[Jerry Hall]

Voltage limiter circled

 

[Maus]

Okay, that's clear, thanks you all!
Might as well also change all the light bulbs and speedometer cable.
I'll let you guys know how things turn out.

 

[Jerry Hall]

RTE has an electronic version voltage limiter that will plug right in.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

A fail on ground at cluster can cause a burnt gauges issue still with an operative voltage limiter.

There is also a chance a damaged voltage limiter can get burnt the gauges with points stuck closed. The limiter is a open-close pulse signal through points mounted on bimetallic strips.

Ground on cluster is chassis but reinforced with a wire thought the multipin conector, using a dash frame provision.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

FIRST THING TO DO.....dis-connect the battery cable.

The voltage limiter is attached to the printed circut board on the back of the instrument cluster housing.

You do have to remove the cluster housing to get to it.

Actually disconect the battery is not mandatory, since the limiter on standard cluster is sourced from Ign1 circuit. So as far the ign switch is OFF, there is no power getting the cluster except at ammeter.

And… the limiter can be replaceable with cluster in place, just tricky and depending on hands size. Same about the bulbs.

 

[Rick@Laysons]

It may very well NOT be mandatory but......

It most certainly CANNOT hurt, is very simple to do, and may very well save you a short(or worse!!!...) if a bare wire comes in contact with something it shouldn't.

Been there....done that.....

 

[Maus]

I will disconnect the battery for sure, since the previous owner decided that it was handy to install a starter button below the steering column which you engage very easily when working under the dash. This button will have to go of course.

 

[RemCharger]

Hope it's more fun than the 77 monaco I did. Let us know