Thoma

without headlights and instrument cluster lights on my 81 auto. Can anyone shed some light on this topic? Headlights worked last week, now nothing. Instrument cluster lights have never worked. What steps should I take? Thanks in advance.

John Struthers

Test light switch, & headlight relay. Check fuses first, then wiring and connectors.
Since cluster has been out for awhile and I'm assuming a seperate issue.
1. Check dimmer. Roll it one way, then the other,
might just be on dim.
2. Check fuses.
3. Check bulbs.

When you turn the ignition on...are you saying you just have no lights at night? Or, are you saying absolutely nothing ? No warning or caution lights at startup? Zip, nada, nothing?
<img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

Thoma

Thanks for your help. I sanded the contact points, replaced the fuse and the headlights worked fine. Instrument cluster still out, but I'm working on it. thanks again

Mark

I had a similar problem with my cluster lights when I removed the pod this weekend. Check the dimmer - In re-installing one of the little slip-on wire connectors pulled off of the dimmer - I got up in there with a flashlight and some needle nose pliers and fixed it in no time!

John Struthers

Thoma,
Still not sure. If absolutely none of the lights are working in the cluster - a bad thing -
the connectors to the board might be loose or off altogther. The speedo and tach have seperate feeds so they should still function, as well as temp, oil press etc. However, with no warn lights you wouldn't get a belt tension warn , brake press. warn among others. I'd put this pretty high on my things to do list if I were you.
Should be some good stuff on the Nichols site and in the Renn. Archives on pod removal and 'Board' inspection/jumpers/connectors. Take some digital how to flicks if you do this, might help someone else!
Enjoy.
John S. and Pattycakes

Rob M Budd

The cluster illumination can be a real cluster****. Not hard, just annoying. It has 3 bulbs and sockets. The bulbs are usually OK but the socket goes bad. The tiny ears on the socket are supposed to make contact with the circuit foil but over time they loose their tension due to heat and age. If you replace the sockets(928 641 927 00, $2.25 each from 928 Intl.)with new ones, it should be OK for a few years.
Of course you should check left two pins on passenger side rear connector of the cluster. One is brown (Ground -) the other is black with a blue stripe (12 ). They might just need cleaning.

After doing this, sometimes you're still left with the dull reflectors and resulting poor illumination, but that's a whole other project. I had mine in and out every now and then until I took out the whole mess out and put in 18 LEDs. They can light up the whole car so you can read a book if you like, but the dimmer allows for perfect adjustment.

JE928Sx4.

If all the lights in the cluster are out, it could be the printed circuit board. That was the case with my 83 5-spd. It had a small short in it. It's not an expensive part ($50 as I recall) and corrected problems with the fuel gauge I also had (I believe all are more accurate now as well). It is now my policy on the other cars that if I have to pull the Pod for any reason, I'm going to replace the circuit board, if it hasn't been done, while I'm in there.

See: <a href="http://members.rennlist.com/jeifert/doors-pod.htm" target="_blank">http://members.rennlist.com/jeifert/doors-pod.htm</a>

Mark

JE -

I have to pull my pod for the speedo gear replacement soon - I would like to replace my PCB - where did you find it - one of the Big 3?

Randy V

Rob Budd - any pics of your LED retrofit? Sounds interesting.

BTW - any relation to Bubb Rubb?:

<a href="http://corner-carvers.com/forums/showthread.php?s=ad070bae85ea015312072795e22d24aa&threadid=7203" target="_blank">http://corner-carvers.com/forums/showthread.php?s=ad070bae85ea015312072795e22d24aa&threadid=7203</a>

<img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" />

Rob M Budd

Randy,

I'll have some pictures of the cluster LEDs within a few days.
Nope no relation.
You got one of those whistles for your shark?

JE928Sx4.

For most of my parts, it makes sense to buy from and support the Big 3 since they all do so much in return for us. I find the prices they have are competitive. Unless I come across a steal on Ebay for a used or old stock part I know I can use down the road, you know I'm going big 3.

The PCB I replaced I got from Dave and Jeannie at 928 Spec. I get ground shipments in two days which is a bonus of being one state over from them. I hate paying more for shipping than the actual part cost trying to keep on schedule for some weekend car project. But you know we have all done it, and will do it again sometime. LOL :-) You know 928 Intl. has it in stock if you need one right away. I'm sure Devek can get them as well. It's a very simple fix if you are already in there. Every time you remove a pod it gets easier. I can probably swap out a circuit board in less than a hour now. Removing the pod itself is the most difficult part.

KBlair

Rob,

18 LEDs? I was thinking about invisible blue fluorescent paint (for the guages) and UV led's. Get the pics, please.

BrianG

Yes Rob, a step by step instruction sheet for this would be great. There are already LED kits for the S4-on MY's, but older MY's are still stuck.

Rob M Budd

About those LEDs

I put this together this morning & I know its missing some info. I'll add some more pics and info next week.

<a href="http://mywebpages.comcast.net/robmb/cluster/3p1.htm" target="_blank">http://mywebpages.comcast.net/robmb/cluster/3p1.htm</a>

Now where is that link to the folks who sell these things??? Grumble,,,grumble