Gauge Cluster to LED & solid wire conversion
#47
Rennlist Member
As an ex electronics tech may I recommend using multi-colored wire in the rewire effort? The last effort on this was all done in black wire, an excellent effort but for the single wire color. As in the above drawing (nice work Opelotus) Red for positive, brown for negative, and other mixed colors for the various crcuits will make wiring and troubleshooting much easier.
IMO the circuit board connectors are the weakest link and the root of many panel problems. The standard connectors tend to not connect well under repeated use. 37 pin connectors are available, one of which could handle the entire cluster needs.....
IMO the circuit board connectors are the weakest link and the root of many panel problems. The standard connectors tend to not connect well under repeated use. 37 pin connectors are available, one of which could handle the entire cluster needs.....
Do you have a link for the 37 pin cnnector you reference above?
#48
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Magnolia TX, just north of Houston, Red 1984 S
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Jim,
Here is one possibility.....
http://www.mouser.com/
15-000443 male 37 pin
15-000483 female 37 pin
I most likely have a stack of them around here someplace...finding them might not be so easy however.....
Here is one possibility.....
http://www.mouser.com/
15-000443 male 37 pin
15-000483 female 37 pin
I most likely have a stack of them around here someplace...finding them might not be so easy however.....
#50
Rennlist Member
I am planning to move forward with the hard wire upgrade as my sheet is shot!!
I am planning on using the d-sub crimp style connectors to make the process easier for the incar connectors.
Any thoughts on a easier bulb socket connection process? I also plan to split the guage versus lighting into seperate connectors. Thoughts?
Any other suggestions welcomed!!!!
I am planning on using the d-sub crimp style connectors to make the process easier for the incar connectors.
Any thoughts on a easier bulb socket connection process? I also plan to split the guage versus lighting into seperate connectors. Thoughts?
Any other suggestions welcomed!!!!
#51
Rennlist Member
I have completed the hard wire mod to my instrument cluster.
I used a central bus bar for power and ground and tried to use correct color wire by using a selection of solid color wire with various electric color tape as the second wire color. I also tried to run power and ground to each component rather than doubling up to assist with troubleshooting in the future.
I used molex connectors versus Dsub as dealing with the small pins was too daunting. I combined power and ground wires to one each on their own connector going to the bus bar. I combined the right and middle connectors into a 15 pin molex and used a 12 pin for the right side to try and minimize wire runs and not have to mess too much wire lenght of car side wires at the new connectors.
Still a bit of a jumble. Not sure I am happy with how I laid it out but want to make sure it will work first and then will look at some options. I need to double check wires and continuities before installing and will then see if I have fit issues with the pod.
Thanks for all the input!!
I used a central bus bar for power and ground and tried to use correct color wire by using a selection of solid color wire with various electric color tape as the second wire color. I also tried to run power and ground to each component rather than doubling up to assist with troubleshooting in the future.
I used molex connectors versus Dsub as dealing with the small pins was too daunting. I combined power and ground wires to one each on their own connector going to the bus bar. I combined the right and middle connectors into a 15 pin molex and used a 12 pin for the right side to try and minimize wire runs and not have to mess too much wire lenght of car side wires at the new connectors.
Still a bit of a jumble. Not sure I am happy with how I laid it out but want to make sure it will work first and then will look at some options. I need to double check wires and continuities before installing and will then see if I have fit issues with the pod.
Thanks for all the input!!
Last edited by jwillman; 02-06-2012 at 04:30 PM.
#52
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Wow, that looks excellent! If I were to do mine again, I too would use molex connectors. Plus, the pins are easy to replace/remove from the connector body.
#53
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Edina, MN
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Here is mine
Issues with my cluster included fuel gauge not working. I replaced the sender but ended up with the same issues. Troubleshooting got me to the flex-board on the back of the cluster, so it was time to re-wire the thing. Not really neat, but everything now works, so I am happy. I also used the Molex Mini-Fit Jr connectors. 3 x 12 contacts worked out for my '82. Interesting that the '82 had a wire and bulb for ABS. Bought the connectors from Digi-Key. Quick shipping and decent price.