I just bought another 86 Cutlass, this time its a salon. It has the full gauge package, buckets console, no vinyl top and what looks like the upgraded suspension, to make a long story short someone replaced the 307 with a 403, and no0ne of the dash gauges seem to work. Did they originally go through the computer? My fuel gauge, battery, oil pressure, and temp don't seem to work. The oil pressure just maxes out at 60 and stays there the rest read 0. Do I just disconnect the Oil Pressure sending unit and see if it reads zero then ground it to see if it reads max and kind of go through each gauge that way, or does it sound like a circuit somewhere in the car is shot? Also my dome light doesnt work is that on the same circuit? A side note how do I know if its a 442? The car has been repainted and badged, multiple times not to mention it has an 85 and down nose on it so I dont know what the deal is.
Dash gauges
- Thread starter 86cutlassrules
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The gauges do not go through the computer.
Either the person that installed the motor got lazy, or your car is suffering from the notoriously inaccurate/non-functional stock gauges.
If you've determined that the sensors are correct and hooked up, pull the cluster out of the dash and try the trick of re-bending the tabs that serve as the electrical connection for the gauges. They have a habit of working loose resulting in them not working correctly.
Dome light is probably a fuse. Check the fuse panel under the dash
The 8th digit of the VIN will tell you if it's a 442 or just a regular Salon... There's also several physical features, but those could have been swapped away over time. The VIN is the only iron clad way to tell.
There will be a 9 signifying the 442 specific "H.O. 307", or a Y for the regular 307.
Either the person that installed the motor got lazy, or your car is suffering from the notoriously inaccurate/non-functional stock gauges.
If you've determined that the sensors are correct and hooked up, pull the cluster out of the dash and try the trick of re-bending the tabs that serve as the electrical connection for the gauges. They have a habit of working loose resulting in them not working correctly.
Dome light is probably a fuse. Check the fuse panel under the dash
The 8th digit of the VIN will tell you if it's a 442 or just a regular Salon... There's also several physical features, but those could have been swapped away over time. The VIN is the only iron clad way to tell.
There will be a 9 signifying the 442 specific "H.O. 307", or a Y for the regular 307.
I started trying to diagnose the gauges today. I checked the fuses first and I found the fuse for the dome light, I now have lights. After that I grounded out each wire for the sensors and the oil 1 did nothing, the water one pinned so I know that gauge works. At that point the oil gauge was still pinned at 60 and the battery gauge read less then 8. I took the harness and picked it up from behind the booster suddenly the volt gauge worked but it only reads about 9 or 10 with a fully charged battery, and the car not running. Does anyone know what color wire runs the volt gauge? I want to trace it back and make sure its ok. I thought it works off the post on the back of the alternator so I cleaned those connections. Right now there is a wire from the fire wall in the same bundle as my gauges that goes to the post on the alternator, a green wire from the same bundle goes to the plug on the top of the alternator, another wire runs from the post on the alternator to the plug on top of the alternator. Also my blower motor, power locks, and power seat dont work. Not sure if that is some how related. I spent most of the morning wire wheeling all my ground connections I could find, hoping to cure the problem.
I was looking at my Fisher body manual and it doesn't have any wiring diagrams for the dash and gauges. I think its because it covers multiple chassis's does anyone know where I can find a wiring diagram for an 86 Cutlass. In addition to the gauges not working the rear defroster, power seat, power locks, and blower motor don't work. Not to mention when I turn the lights on the left turn signal indicator on the dash turns on also.The car sat for about 8 years so Im thinking its just crappy grounds causing everything. I really need the help guys please let me know.
Youre not alone...ive got all kinds of problems like that with my 83. My power seat motor is out, but thats expected, when i turn on my lights, the warning buzzer buzzes...just cut the wire to it. When i turn my windshield wipers on then off they stay on until they feel like going off..lol....( going to put in a new turn signal lever, mabye that will help ) all the dash lights are out. Sorry i cant be of any help, just thought id let u know ur not alone with that kind of stuff.
I'm having a problem too with my rally gauges. I'm in the process of installing a SBC in my cutlass. I have three Autometer ultra lite gauges but I want my factory voltmeter to work. I want them all to work if possible but I need some help on going about it. I need to know how the voltmeter is wire also. When I still had my 307 in there, the volts read 16 and I knew it was off. Any help??
86cutlassrules said:
You need a Factory Service Manual. That will have all the wiring diagrams for the car.
Coincidentally I have one for an '87 that I don't need that I'd be willing to sell ya.
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