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Topic: Lights On-Kill Guages! Any Ideas?

in Forum: C3 Electrical


Lights On-Kill Guages! Any Ideas?

Posted: 7/10/05 9:06pm Message 1 of 5
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WICHITA, KS - USA
Joined: 6/17/2005
Posts: 19
Vette(s): 1981 Corvette Coupe, T-Tops, Dark Blue, Black Leather, Numbers Matching, 85K Miles, 350/4-Brl., Turbo 350 AT, PW, PL, Disc 4-Whl., AC, PS, P Driver Seat, AM/FM W/CD, Dual Exhaust, Alum. Factory Whls. W/RWL Radial Tires, Tilt/Tele., Mirrored Tops.

When I turn headlights on, all guages go to zero, and stay until lights are switched off. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. I recently purchased this car, and I'm already a few thousand into the rebuild process.

'81 Vette




Guitarpicking,Wrenchslinging, Partchasing, Womanwatching, Somebeach Somewhere!
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Lights On-Kill Guages! Any Ideas?

Posted: 7/10/05 9:20pm Message 2 of 5
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Joined: 7/24/2003
Posts: 2150
Vette(s): 1982 Collector Edition #3413

I'm not in electrical.  But I would check the grounds and the fuses first.  Then check the console board if that went bad.  Or could be a wire shorting out. 

Some one else will point you in the correct way.  That's just a start.

Good luck in the problem.

 




Lights On-Kill Guages! Any Ideas?

Posted: 7/11/05 2:34am Message 3 of 5
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HURRICANE, UT - USA
Joined: 1/11/2004
Posts: 119
Vette(s): 1978 L82 4 speed Black on Black vin12231 BDay Nov 7 1977 1966 327 Roadster BDay May 18, 1966 (next project)

I just had this same problem and I hope your problem is as simple as mine to fix.  The plug in the back of the center console gauge cluster worked its way loose or is not getting a good ground as Mike mentioned.  Pull out the passenger seat and the console cover off.  Using a flashlight, look up behind that console and at the plug.  To get my hand on it,  I had to take out my glove box.  Good Luck!

--Eric




Lights On-Kill Guages! Any Ideas?

Posted: 7/11/05 9:08pm Message 4 of 5
Former Member
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WICHITA, KS - USA
Joined: 6/17/2005
Posts: 19
Vette(s): 1981 Corvette Coupe, T-Tops, Dark Blue, Black Leather, Numbers Matching, 85K Miles, 350/4-Brl., Turbo 350 AT, PW, PL, Disc 4-Whl., AC, PS, P Driver Seat, AM/FM W/CD, Dual Exhaust, Alum. Factory Whls. W/RWL Radial Tires, Tilt/Tele., Mirrored Tops.
Hey Thanks Eric, I beleive it is the guage console harness, I guess I need to drop a few more hundred anyway! Thanks Again. Mike


Guitarpicking,Wrenchslinging, Partchasing, Womanwatching, Somebeach Somewhere!

Lights On-Kill Guages! Any Ideas?

Posted: 7/15/05 8:01pm Message 5 of 5
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424
Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!

The light are supplying the ground for the gauges.  When you turn on the lights, you lose the ground.  The problem is a faulty ground circuit from the lights and gauges.

You can confirm the bad ground by starting the car, and watch the gauges.  Turn the dash light brighter and dimmer, and you can watch the gauges go up and down.

Fix the ground, sometimes easier said than done, and all will be good.




in Forum: C3 Electrical


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