Instrument Panel Issues...

[lokkju]

So my Cluster is acting very odd - here are some of the symptoms:

• My turn signals work correct when the running lights are off, but when the headlights or running lights are on, the cluster indicator for which direction I'm turning is opposite of the lever.
• When the turn signal is on, the gas gauge and voltage gauge "bounce" with the flashing of the turn indicator
• The cluster illumination lights don't work, and they are all new

Does this reveal anything in specific I might look at?  I've checked to make sure the ground is connected down on the fire wall, next to the steering column, and I've checked to make sure the cluster connector is all the way plugged in.

Thanks

[Irish_Alley]

it def sound like a ground prob i would also look at the turn sig lights them self

[dustin neal rose]

I understand that you checked the connection, but i have an 86 and i had the EXACT same problem!!!
Everything you describe to a T. What i ended up doing was unplugging my panel and taking a small sharpened nail and scraping all of my connections a little bit, then put a dab of inhibitor greaso on them. Plugged it back up and it worked like it was supposed to.  Just to confirm it to be the same problem, when you have the headlights on dim does it show they are on bright on the instrument panel and visa-versa?
Hope this helps

[lokkju]

YES!  it does!  I'll try that in the morning...

[lokkju]

No such luck.  tried it, but it is still doing the same thing.
I'm thinking I am going to go through all the lighting wiring first, since it seems to be related to when the lights are on...

[dustin neal rose]

It would probably be a good idea to change out the instrument panel with another one and make sure it is not a broken connection an the inside of the plug. Also, there is a black ground wire on the back of the far right light plug that goes under the dash towards the ash tray. I know you checked the one going to the ground block above the park brake pedal, but did you chech the other one? 

I am just trying to save you some trouble because i did the whole checking every light wire thing and all that before i found out it was the cluster.  The problem is a bad "loop" in the wiring, i would def. try a different cluster if i could get my hands on one.

[lokkju]

I have three clusters;  the problem exists with them all.

I need to rewire my headlights anyway, the wiring is mostly electrical tape at this point, and I really don't like electrical tape.  I mean, come on, butt connectors at the least.

[ccz145a]

Don't get us start on butt connectors. LOL

[dustin neal rose]

Well, i am out of ideas . Just let us know what you find out.

[lokkju]

I found a brown/white wire on top of the steering column that had shorted against at least two other wires - looks like bad insulation.  I'm working on getting up in there to replace it - we'll see what else I find...

[lokkju]

So I finally got around to trying to work on the wiring, and found that there are about 6-7 wires fused to each other.  Essentially, it looks like the entire bundle of wires that goes from the fuse block to the plugs on top of the steering column is toast.

I would like to keep the same color wires, so don't want to do a DIY wiring harness - so unless someone can suggest someplace that sells new ones, I see my only option as pulling a used set from the junk yard.

One thing I would like to avoid is it happening again - is there anything specific I should check before replacing the wiring?

Thanks!

[Layne]

Grab a Painless wiring harness. They label their wires every foot or so and I hear their really high quality

[lokkju]

I didn't see anything but the full replacement kits, and I don't want to drop $600+ on just wires