Cluster connector pinning

[jdubya85c10]

So I have a 85 shortbox been working on and it was a "hot rod" project I bought. Well time came for a new cluster as the one in it was a Frankenstein guy had cut it up and removed all gauges except gas and speedo and the speedo died. Got a donor off another 85 this cluster had gauges. Now I'm trying to figure out how to repin the cluster connector only problem is the color wiring I have doesn't match any schemattic  I can find. Main wires I see different are my pigtail has two brown wires and a yellow wire. Anyone feel like posting a few pics of their cluster connector or pointing me right direction?

[Magic1]

This is from painless wiring website. I used their harness on my truck and it shows how to wire up all the different plugs. Hope it helps.

[Magic1]

If you can't read the diagram download the manual from the website under part number 10205

[jdubya85c10]

Thanks for the reply, I've already seen this diagram as I've been googlin my fingers off, see what's confusing me is the two brown wires and yellow wire that are in the pigtail bundle , they were all in the connector in the old rigged cluster, any other ideas on what I can do? I'll post a picture soon.

[Magic1]

I'm not sure on that. I looked through the book and I can't find two brown or a yellow wire anywhere in the instrument panel section or that should connect up there. Do you have black ground wires going into it? From all the rigging that was done on mine when I got it it wouldn't surprise me if someone used off color wiring to run grounds. It would help to be able to see where those wires are pinned into the plug.

[Magic1]

If you don't have that manual downloaded I suggested in the earlier post and plan on keeping the truck for a while I would get it. Even not using their harness, I believe they used all the correct color wires per what gm used so it helps if you need to trace something or determine where it supposed to go.

[bd]

Yellow circuit 237 runs between the cluster and the alarm module in the "Convenience Center" located above the accelerator pedal.  Ckt 237 is probably for the seat belt warning lamp.  Look in the right upper quadrant of page 9 in the 1985 Wiring Manual for cluster pinout details.

[bd]

Adding to the prior post....  If you have two brown wires (circuits 25 and 50) exiting the harness to the cluster connector, then that harness was made for a cluster w/o gauges.  Ckts 50 and 25 energize the "exciter" terminal (terminal 1) on the SI regulator.  Assuming the alternator charges as it should, you need to dig a little deeper to figure out what the PO did and how (s)he altered the wiring to make the charging system function.      One more thing to add to your list....

[jdubya85c10]

Got it alright so basically I need to replace this pigtail extension with a harness pigtail kit for a cluster with guages?I found a gguy who does the harnesses and sells them on ebay this is what he wrote....."Your 1985 cluster will work with 84-87 harness. My harness will cost 90 dollars and is a direct fit from your fuse box to your cluster. It will have three pigtails for your wire for wire hook up that's an exact match to your existing harness. A bit long but I've been down this road before and my pain should be your gain"

[jdubya85c10]

Makes sense I remember the guy I bought it from saying the recharge system had been problematic for the guy he bought it off of....I drive this thing daily though and it charges I mean I've already done a few things inside bay and replaced an alternator, but it works great.....some vaccum issues I think as sometimes it wants to stall or try to bog down when I brake.........that's another issue though.

[jdubya85c10]

I know the pinning isn't correct in th e photo I already moved then around. But those are wires I have......

[bd]

At $90, I wouldn't invest in a service pigtail except as a last resort!  Since you have the cluster connector, just move the wires to the appropriate positions with reference to the schematic diagram I linked.  The connector housing is the same part number between the 'gauge' and 'non-gauge' clusters.  Even with time spent resolving occasional confusions that pop up, you should have it done in a day.  The only hitch would be if you had to replace the connector terminal ends (GM P/N 12004542 if memory serves).

[jdubya85c10]

So what would be the conversion pinning of a non gauge connecter to a with guage connector since the wire colors are different? Chase wires?

[bd]

Most of the circuits and corresponding wire colors are the same, although the cavity positions in the connector may be different.  So, referencing the "factory" wiring diagram previously linked for your specific year while verifying against your new I/P cluster PC board, repin the wires that are known.  The few remaining that are different can be abandoned and new circuits run, or you can untape the harness and remove the unused wiring then add the new.  Just try to maintain factory color coding of any newly added wires so they tie to the schematic for future repairs if needed.  Most of the questions you're asking can be answered by studying the linked wiring diagram.  Virtually all of the wires connecting to the I/P cluster connector are 18-gauge.

[roundhouse]

You need a tool to remove the wires from the pigtail

You can use s tiny screwdriver or take a small Allen wrench and grind one end flat like a screwdriver

I have posted some wiring diagrams when we re pinned our harness
They are in a thread somewhere
 


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