Dead cluster in 85 GW

[Ozmiander]

I just picked up an 85 GW and all the gauges are dead in the dash. The lights work fine as well as the seatbelt warning lamp. The ammeter, oil, coolant 4wd light and fuel are all dead however.

I went over the fuses with the multimeter and they seem fine. The pcb in the rear doesn't seem to have any breaks in it either. What in the world should i be looking for next?

[FSJ Guy]

The rectangular component on the back is the voltage regulator. They can go bad. It supplies all the electric gauges, IIRC.

[Ozmiander]

The five pin connector with two wires in it? I also have an unconnected four pin connector just sitting loose in the dash, heh.

[1jeep4me]

good info here have any pics???/

[Billygoat]

Lots of loose connectors behind the dash unless you have all the options....
The dash has a large gray plug, since the dash lights work - and the (turn signals?) then that is plugged in, there is also a flat connector up behind the fuel - I don't recall the but I think it is 3 plugs but has room for 5???

Fuel, Temp, and Oil are all powered off the voltage regulator, so that could be it, or each 1 could be the sending unit - also loosen/tighten each nut to make sure you have good contact.

Ammeter could be bypassed - large yellow and red wire should be 1 each on the post - common bypass is to put both on the same post - larger that stock alternator?

4x4 light is seperate, if the bulb is ok then the t-case switch could be bad.

[Ozmiander]

Well, i pulled the cluster again just to see if missed anything:



Looks like i need to spend more money, lol.

[letank]

I also have an unconnected four pin connector just sitting loose in the dash, heh.

The four pin connector brings the ground to the whole cluster, above the ammeter.

I added an extra ground wire to one of the screws that hold the pcb bord to the cluster.

The fuel gauge has a built in 5v voltage supply to the gauges, so if there is no voltage, the gauges will not work -except the ammeter, that as said need to be bypass to prevent Jeep BBQ-

As for the missing part, it is socket for the heater control lightbulb, there should be another one below, but if you check,it couid be hanging in the wire mess, look for the orange wires.