Changed instrument panel lights, gauges not working

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Call Her Bu

Greasemonkey
Dec 2, 2012
108
37
28
Arlington, TX
So I swapped out my gauge cluster bulbs for led lights and when I put it all back together, my gauges didn’t work except for the speedo. I made sure everything was back the way it was. So I think I did at least. Is there Something I should check for?

My signal lights in the gauge cluster don’t work either but they were like that before I changed bulbs. I bought a new flasher and still same result. Any other ideas?
 
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Injectedcutty

G body LS mafia
Nov 24, 2014
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Sometimes the LED bulbs are polarity sensitive. Turn the key over to charge the system and install bulbs to make sure they're lighting up before you assemble everything.
 
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g0thiac

G-Body Guru
Sep 6, 2020
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So I swapped out my gauge cluster bulbs for led lights and when I put it all back together, my gauges didn’t work except for the speedo. I made sure everything was back the way it was. So I think I did at least. Is there Something I should check for?

My signal lights in the gauge cluster don’t work either but they were like that before I changed bulbs. I bought a new flasher and still same result. Any other ideas?
So what gauges don't work? If you installed LED's instead of regular bulbs, chances are you didn't wire something correctly, or install them with the polarity properly.

First, check to see if a fuse got f**ked. If that's good, use a multi meter and check around for voltage with the key off, and on.

My Pontiac didn't have working dash lights when I bought it, because the idiots who wired it before me did a LED dome light mod, so I added an LED strip, and wired it to a 12V source in the car.
 

Call Her Bu

Greasemonkey
Dec 2, 2012
108
37
28
Arlington, TX
So what gauges don't work? If you installed LED's instead of regular bulbs, chances are you didn't wire something correctly, or install them with the polarity properly.

First, check to see if a fuse got f**ked. If that's good, use a multi meter and check around for voltage with the key off, and on.

My Pontiac didn't have working dash lights when I bought it, because the idiots who wired it before me did a LED dome light mod, so I added an LED strip, and wired it to a 12V source in the car.
Tach, oil, fuel, temp and volts don’t work. They all did before. I’m going to disassemble and reconnect everything with the key forward.
 
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fly_25

Greasemonkey
Oct 20, 2020
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Sometimes it's hard to get a good connection on the printed circuit board and the plug that plugs in to the dash. If it's not seated right then you'll get some dash problems. I've tried bending the tabs a bit on the plugs which helps a bit, I've also added some foam tape under the printed circuit board where is meets the plug to kinda "prop up" the connection and push it against the plug more
 
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Call Her Bu

Greasemonkey
Dec 2, 2012
108
37
28
Arlington, TX
Sometimes it's hard to get a good connection on the printed circuit board and the plug that plugs in to the dash. If it's not seated right then you'll get some dash problems. I've tried bending the tabs a bit on the plugs which helps a bit, I've also added some foam tape under the printed circuit board where is meets the plug to kinda "prop up" the connection and push it against the plug more
That could be it. I’ll take it off and make sure it makes good connection. Thanks!
 
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fly_25

Greasemonkey
Oct 20, 2020
136
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No problem! I always find that connector to be tricky to get right.
 
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Call Her Bu

Greasemonkey
Dec 2, 2012
108
37
28
Arlington, TX
Ok so I put the regular bulbs back in and now they don’t turn on. Below is what happens with the car turned on.

Pic 1- gauges work when the headlight switch is off.
Pic 2- gauges go crazy or off when I turn on the headlight switch
Pic 3- when I turn the headlight switch while it’s on and turned all the way to the right, the halfway work?
 

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Call Her Bu

Greasemonkey
Dec 2, 2012
108
37
28
Arlington, TX
With the key just turned forward, car not running.

Pic 1- headlight switch off
Pic 2- headlight switch on

HELP!!!!
 

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