Cluster question... idiot lights

[dvdswan]

This weekend I decided to replace a couple of burnt out bulbs for the gauges and speedo.  Doing this I decided to check the idiot lights for the speedo (4 wheel-lock and choke) and gas gauge (fasten seatbelt and brake).  Each one of these had a light with a bulb in it and all of them were burnt out so I replaced them all. 

As a refresher I have 78 K10 350 4sp 205.  The 4 wheel-lock and choke lights do not come on, I know the 4 wheel-lock was for the 203 t/case which makes me wonder why it would have a bulb in it and the choke light I not sure if the truck came with an electric choke so why would it have a bulb as well but I do have a quadrajet carb.  The seatbelt light is on all the time now and the brake light only comes on as a startup check.

so for the questions...
1.  Did the 205 come with a switch for when it is put into 4 wheel drive?
2.  Do I need an electric choke carb for the choke light to work?  I don't recall ever seeing any wiring to the carb for this truck.  The choke is currently not working at the moment though.
3.  The truck has the original seatbelts but I don't see a wire going to the buckle side of the driver's seat.  How does this system work?
4.  Is there something more to the brake light or is it only for the parking brake indication?

[zieg85]

Indicator cluster as I understand it.

1. yes the 4 wheel drive light should come on when engaged if the switch is hooked up.  Many get ripped out by mistake when the transfer case is removed for service.

2.  Choke light/oil pressure light only comes on when a low/no oil pressure condition exists.  Power is lost to the electric choke which chokes the engine if hooked up.

3.  Wire is sometime removed to get the light to go off before mandatory seat belt laws were enforced

4.  Brake light is for the parking brake or if a fault is sensed in the proportioning valve when brake fluid is lost.  When hooked up and working the valve will close off the affected front or rear and the remaining brakes still should work to stop the vehicle.

[dvdswan]

Thanks for the replies Zieg.

1. so the 205 does have a switch?  if so, I will look for that then.  I will look in the wiring diags.

the only lights to come on with the key on engine NOT running are the seatbelt and brake.  brake will go off after 2-3 seconds. 

2. should the 4wd and choke lights come on as a bulb check also?

I will look for the switch on the e-brake and do some digging for the seatbelt wire.

Thanks again.

[zieg85]

Not sure on the switch for the 205, it could be on the shifter itself and not an internal thing.  All I do know as they all "originally" had a light to go on when in 4 wheel drive.

[dvdswan]

thanks again.

[dvdswan]

Ok, so this weekend I had a chance to look at the seatbelts buckles to see if there were any wires cut/broken.  I did not see any wires going to or at the buckles at all.  So I'm wondering if maybe the truck had just a seat timer/buzzer under the dash possibly?  If so, what would it look like?

[Captkaos]

The seat belt wire would be in the female section.  There wasn't a timer.  The light just stayed on until you buckled it.

[dvdswan]

I looked the female side, didn't see any wires coming out the bottom.  I even pull the carpet up under the seat as it was removed and found no wires.  I would like to replace the seatbelts when I rebuild the truck as the female sides are both crumbling apart from years of use (the plastic covers that is).

are these available on the sites store by chance?  I didn't see them under the interior portion.

[zieg85]

if you do find replacement plastic pieces let us know.  I have removed the plastic on some of the really bad ones.  I'd rather have none than crappy looking ones

[Captkaos]

Are you looking for replacement belts (we have retro Belts available) or the sleeves (not available anywhere)

[dvdswan]

I would like to find stock replacements.  The plastic on the female sides are brittle and slowly falling apart.  The belts themselves are what look to be the original; faded, sundried, and beginning to thin like an old pair of jeans before the hole starts.

Are the retro belts like the originals?  Are they 3-point like the original?

[Captkaos]

Yes they are like the originals and are 3 point.  The inner belt however is not in a sleeve...