Gauge gremlin

[2manybowties]

I recentely purchased a 1971 chevy pu. its a short wheel base stepside 350 with a 3 speed on the column. When I turn my headlights on my fuel gauge goes to empty. I have checked the brown wire to the fuse panel, when I disconnect it the gauge goes to the 3 oclock position. I feel it is a ground issue. I am not sure if the truck has a ground that goes from the engine to the firewall would that cause my issue? Any help would be appreciated!

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 2manybowties

I recentely purchased a 1971 chevy pu. its a short wheel base stepside 350 with a 3 speed on the column. When I turn my headlights on my fuel gauge goes to empty. I have checked the brown wire to the fuse panel, when I disconnect it the gauge goes to the 3 oclock position. I feel it is a ground issue. I am not sure if the truck has a ground that goes from the engine to the firewall would that cause my issue? Any help would be appreciated!

It could cause that. Also there is a ground clip under the dash at the lower right corner of the instrument cluster. It clips to the pinch weld under the dash. Check to make sure it didn't come off.

You should have a ground strap from the engine to the firewall, engine to frame, frame to cab, & frame to bed.

LockDoc

[2manybowties]

Thanks I will check that out.

[2manybowties]

LockDoc I appreciate your help man the ground clip under the dash fixed the issue. The wire was disconnected. Thanks again.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 2manybowties

LockDoc I appreciate your help man the ground clip under the dash fixed the issue. The wire was disconnected. Thanks again.

No problem. Glad it was an easy fix.

LockDoc

[slikside]

Originally Posted by 2manybowties

LockDoc I appreciate your help man the ground clip under the dash fixed the issue. The wire was disconnected. Thanks again.

Does anyone have a pic of one of these?

I have a '72 and I'm pretty sure I have no ground from the panel to anything.

I keep blowing the instrument cluster light fuse.

Guess I could run my own ground anyhow....

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by slikside

Does anyone have a pic of one of these?

I have a '72 and I'm pretty sure I have no ground from the panel to anything.

I keep blowing the instrument cluster light fuse.

Guess I could run my own ground anyhow....

Here is a picture of the ground clip and the wire that is connected to it. The wire goes into the under dash wire loom. The connector hanging down is the gauge cluster connector.

LockDoc

[slikside]

LockDoc,

Thanks for posting that pic. I do have that on my truck, but it wasn't what I expected, so your pic definitely helped me identify it.

In my mind I was always looking for a ground from the instrument cluster itself, not a ground to the complete dash panel.

So that begs the question, are instrument clusters supposed to be grounded independently or are they grounded sufficiently by being attached to the grounded dash panel?

[slikside]

2manybowties,

Glad you found your ground. I hope you don't mind me catching a ride on the tail end of your thread...

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by slikside

LockDoc,

Thanks for posting that pic. I do have that on my truck, but it wasn't what I expected, so your pic definitely helped me identify it.

In my mind I was always looking for a ground from the instrument cluster itself, not a ground to the complete dash panel.

So that begs the question, are instrument clusters supposed to be grounded independently or are they grounded sufficiently by being attached to the grounded dash panel?

The cluster is grounded through the main connector plug by this wire, not a separate wire. That should be sufficient if the clip is not rusted enough to cause a bad connection, or the contacts on the main connector plug are not corroded..

LockDoc


LockDoc

[slikside]

LD,

Got it. Thanks.

[2manybowties]

Thats cool slikside, LockDoc hooked me up. I have fixed a couple of things on one of my trucks reading the post put on the site. There's alot of knowledge on here!