I just pulled out my cluster looking for a vacuum leak, as well as replacing bulbs
When replacing it and checking the current , the left side shorts out and the speedo jumps up
Lights still don't work

 

Connectors back on in wrong order?

 

A wiring diagram will help identify the connector that's causing problem. Likely the old flexicircuit isn't aligned right and is the contacts are touching the wrong connector or more than one.

 

Switch the middle and right side plugs (oil pressure and battery voltage), I had the same issue when I reassembled after redoing my A/C in my 81.
It fixed it for me.

 

LED question
I have 3 LED lights in my cluster that do not light up, none of the lights work other than the red warning lights. I did a by pass on the dimmer switch. Not sure why but thinking that I needed to continue the connection and LED's don't dim
Is this correct?

 

switched connectors

 

What do you mean by switched connectors?

 

left and right confused or even l,r,centre confused.

Leds dont dim by normal means - do a search. LEDs are also polarity sensitive - you must work out which side of the led is +, and which way they go in the socket such that the incoming +12V goes to the +ve side. BTDT.

I hope you cut short the LED input wires so they didnt short your cluster traces!!!! The wires as bought frequently are wrapped around the base to the other side.

jp 83 Euro S AT 55k.

 

switched connectors on the the back. as others stated. right, left, middle connectors are out of order. i did that once too.

 

If you're refering to the twist-lock type of LED's that go into the back of the cluster in addition to making sure the polarity is correct you also want to make sure that the tabs on the fixture are touching the connections on the flex board. I had this same problem when updating my cluster lights to LED's. First do a visual check to make sure that where the tab touches the flex board that the copper part of the flex board is free of the clear plastic insulator. If not VERY CAREFULLY scrape off the coating. Be careful as the board will tear (ask me how I know). Then reinstall the fixture and if it still doesn't light carefully take a jewelers screw driver and push the tabs to the flex board, if the light then works, remove the fixture and carefully bend the tab so it makes a better connection with the flex board. Do this a little at a time 'cause if you go too far the tab may rip the flex board upon reinstallation (again, ask me how I know).