I have a funky voltmeter gauge that reads voltage when it wants to, and decides when to flat-line. I have had the pod off about 7 years ago to clean the contacts and sensors behind it when my odometer took a crap. Assuming this is not a gauge issue, whereabouts should I begin my search down the loom of wiring that connects to it?

 

Start from the gauge and work your way back.

 

I was thinking maybe there is a line at the alternator that is not connected right since I last did the steering rack. I may have knocked something loose.

 

Andy,

That wire runs from the alternator through the engine harness to the 14 pin connector. If you have the original harness in there chances are some or all of the cores are shot. Pull the 14 pin connector off next to the hot post and take a look at the condition of the cores, especially the insulation- mine was falling off on half of them so did a partial r/r of the cores for the alternator voltage, the oil pressure sender, a/c solenoid as a "get me by". The ideal solution is a new harness.

Rgds

Fred

 

Ok so there is your answer then. Work from the alternator and go forward.

 

I will dive into it again tonight; I am pretty sure I didn't loosen any cables down there. I merely removed the ties holding it to the power steering line and untucked it from the crossmember.

I figure it could just be a funky gauge because of something else, or age of the cluster. My gas gauge doesn't even read right (reads 1/2 when the tank is topped off).

 

Test the voltage going in to the cluster on the right hand connector. Chance are you just need a new circuit foil, which you should change out while they are still available.

 

The more I think about it, the more it could be the circuit foil. My dash lights do not work unless I shove my hand under the pod, and apply pressure to the foil, to which they come on at full intensity.

 

Maybe the small nuts that keep the foil tight, are loose?