Electrical - Fuel Gage

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Frank_C

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Dec 28, 2020
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I have a 1984 Olds Cutlass Supreme Brougham, 231CU V6. Yesterday I was changing bulbs from my instrument cluster and after connecting everything back up, during my testing of the headlight switch, my fuel gage went from full to empty. When I turn off the lights, it returns to the full position. Any suggestions on what is wrong here would be helpful. Thanks.
 

fleming442

Captain Tenneal
Dec 26, 2013
13,046
24,216
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You pinched something, and now the lights are pulling ground through the fuel sender. Take it back apart, inspect, and reassemble more carefully this time.
 
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Frank_C

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Dec 28, 2020
22
10
3
Will do, really enjoy pulling the cluster, not.
 
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Frank_C

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Dec 28, 2020
22
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Ok, figured that out. Now, next strange thing. When I turn the parking lights on, the right turn signal comes on and when I turn the right signal on, its not as bright as the left turn signal when its on. Any thoughts? Since the back of the cluster only has the plastic copper foil with the screw in bulbs, not sure what the issue is.
 
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Frank_C

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Dec 28, 2020
22
10
3
Ok, figured that out. Now, next strange thing. When I turn the parking lights on, the right turn signal comes on and when I turn the right signal on, its not as bright as the left turn signal when its on. Any thoughts? Since the back of the cluster has the plastic copper foil
One of the right side 1157s is burned out
All lights appear to be working, both with the parking lights turned on and right turn signal engaged. Not sure the 1157s is burned out.
 

mc1984ss

Master Mechanic
May 18, 2020
293
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It may be as simple as a bad bulb. If that's not it I suspect a bad ground, bad ground is the first culprit of erratic electrical problems. I pulled my dash cluster apart last weekend and hated every moment of it. My fuel gauge wasn't working.
 
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g0thiac

G-Body Guru
Sep 6, 2020
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Do you mean one of the bulb sockets for the 1157s bulb is bad?
It could be the socket itself, but more likely it's the circuit involving the socket.

If one is dimmer than the other, I would check your grounds like everyone has suggested here, and make sure your wiring is ok.

Another thing I recommend is inspecting the traces and the brass contacts on the PCB and black connector.
 
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