Topic: Headlights vs. Guages
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Help! Somebody, please!
The gauages (all of them, including the clock) "die" on my '79 coupe when my headlights are on. I don't know when this started, but, I have confirmed the gauge failures are linked to headlight activation somehow. Any suggestions.
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Spotsylvania, VA - USA
Joined: 1/20/2007
Posts: 293
Vette(s): 1977 Silver Coupe
Check light switch
Thanks, I'll give it a try.


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Duncanville, TX - USA
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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Check the ground wire(s) for the gauge cluster. If there are questionable grounds for the gauges, then turning the headlights on(which will also turn on the lights for the cluster) might be robbing what little ground there is from the gauge cluster circuit board. Not sure exactly where the grounds would be on a '79, but you will usually find a run of black wires going under the shifter console, and screwed to the shifter bracket. I'll check the diagram to see if there is a definitive location for them...

Joel Adams
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Great idea! I did have the cluster out to replace the clock (imagine that, a C3 with a dead clock) I could have messed something up when I put it back together.


in Forum: C3 Electrical
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