This was FANTASTIC!! Thank you for sharing and THANK you for making it simple! I have a 1963 Pontiac, 389 4 bbl Grand Prix, and just recently ALL of my dashboard lights and wipers went out. You are the first video, and it was a one video fix! Grounding.. Of course!! Because I have the same light bulbs with only one wire, its the casing which needs to be grounded. Thank you again.
Hey thanks man, glad it helped! I actually had the local parts store order it for me but I'm sure you can find them online. Should probably be 67-69 Firebird. Thanks for watching!
Wow this is an old video. Strange it is the first time I've seen a 1967-68 Canaro or Firebird Guage Cluster with the Speedometer on the right side instead of the left. Since, I only have worked on Camaros, I searched for an answer, right or left? It seems both are factory correct. While the Canaro is on the left, tach or other guages on the right, the Firebirds or possibly just the Firebird Trans Am versions, roughted the speedo cable differently and made the speedomete need to be in the right side. Not sure if that was factory for ALL Firebirds or just Trans Ams. No clear answer Online either. Or maybe you or a previous owner reassembled it differently on purpose? Since, the factory made both versions, it can be which ever way the builder wants. Although all of the aftermarket clusters, even OEM reproductions insist on only picturing the Camaro left side layout. I am glad I looked into it, that is history I never knew and likely not a lot of non-Pontiac/other car guys/gals know as well. Either way you detailed video was helpful to my project even 12 years after you posted it, so thank you.
Might be a long shot but sounds reasonable... the arm on the column for the turn signals if you slightly move it up while that lights on will it turn off. Sounds like maybe the mechanisms worn or just doesnt completly return to the home position so the light turns on but not far enough to engage the relay to make the blinker blink.
I just went through this on my 68 Camaro, new circuit board, new bulbs, new wiring harness , good ground, ect. but only half the lights would work and no blinkers.. so I pulled apart checked lights all good, lights back in sockets checked with jumper wires off the battery... most not working, and this is with light in socket but light and socket out of cluster. so cleaned all socket with contact cleaner ... now everything works! and these are 5/8 sockets if you need new ones.
on 67 & 68 camaro they are a pain. the ground for the guage pack is the center screw that screws them to the dash. so if it missing you loose everything. also dropping the column like that is the only way i know to get the plastic out.
nice. i have a 1969 firebird and bought a dash bezel as some idiot had cut mine many many years ago to put a radio in ... and they failed. I also have no lights at all, although i did have them for years for the speedometer. This may be a nice help.
Hey I know this is an older video but, do you know if the resistor has to be out and off the back of the gauge to test it? I have a 71 c10. I unplugged dash harness to prevent any interference with the key off and took the top nuts off that hold the circuit board down. The resistor nuts are still on and it’s reading 40 ohms. I’m afraid to tear the circuit board trying to get it over the posts/pegs. Thank you! or to anyone with any input or help!
Have a 1980 transam , previos owner not sure what he did. Blinkers work, fasten seatbelt , all bulbs work individually- but illumination lights don’t work. Fuses fine, dimmer switch fine as far as I can see, new printed circuit board. There’s a bulb with a black/gray wire that looks like it plugs into a port with no circuit board Contact. It works individually (I took it out and used a battery to test it by itself). Any ideas ? This ground thing you’re doing seems maybe a possibility
Wish you did a film on getting the bezel out. What an awful design. I loosened the steering wheel column as suggested but it still wont come out. Many wires are tight and holding it in.
hey there, i have a 3 gauge panel on my 91 mustang and in the middle i have a "z" series autometer oil press gauge,the gauge works great but the light is worthless,its what they call a perimeter lighting and at night you can see a little of the bottom and the center of the gauge is black, my other 2 gauges are autometer "autogage" the cheaper versions and those work great, the reason i put the z in the middle is because the cheaper lineup doesn't have electrical oil press gauges and im not a big fan of the little copper or nylon tube,anyhow, think a LED might work better? i have them running of the radio lighting that goes thru the dimmer switch, is that some low voltage cause i noticed the bulbs are not super bright?
Thank you for your video. I disassembled my 69 Firebirds dash last winter and didn't take near enough pictures. Now I'm struggling with remembering where 2 pieces go. They are flat pieces approximately 1.5" long with holes on each end but one is bent up 90°. Any help would be much appreciated!
Hey David, well this videos 11yrs old and unfortunately I no longer have the car. If it's real thin metal I want to say the dash and radio had something like that that mounted to them to help ground them to the dash itself for the illumination lights.
Here's one for ya...I replaced my cluster circuit board and replaced all the lights and all the things the lights sit in. Everything works after also replacing one fuse.... One question though, the left blinker light stays on... It blinks when it's suppose to and so does then right blinker...but when not in blink mode it doesn't turn off(left side only) it just stays on Is that normal or is there something wrong? If so what would it be? Thanks
Maybe you can help me with my problem. The smallest fuse on the fuse box isn't getting any power on my 68 firebird. I traced it from the fuse box to a place where it is connected to three other grey wires. They go to a stereo light, transmission shifter plug, and the last one goes to the plug on the back of the gauge cluster. Any suggestions?
It's been awhile since I messed with this, I know I had ground issues especially on the dash so it was dim. Ran an extra good ground and helped alot. Really just need to trace it out and find out where it's lost, hacked up stereos are always good culprits.
You never mentioned the smallest fuse in the fuse box it's for the gauges.CHECK IT FIRST. If your gauge lights use to work but no longer come on at all start with the fuse.
@@jmilz08 Yes, but my problem was solved with the ignition, so once that was changed out, all my lights worked again properly! Sometimes those parts can stop connections, which was wrong with mine. I also changed out 2 burned-out bulbs later, but those had not interfered with the rest of the lights. Hope this also helps! Cheers!
If I remember right after all the screws were removed I had to loosen the 2 bolts to drop the steering column a little to pull the instrument bezel out. Hope this helps and thanks for watching!
I think I need to get the terminology right. I am trying to take the whole dash plate off, this is what is shown on the roof of your car. Once this is off I assume I can remove the gauge cluster from the dash plate. I heard there are at least two hidden screws that attach the dash plate to a bracket and if you don't don't know where they are it is difficult to locate. Do you have any reference drawing etc?
+Don Boser I never took the dash out of the car so can't really help there.. Pulling the gauge cluster didn't seem possible with out dropping the column some though.
+Don Boser I made this video 5 years ago so a little fuzzy. Parts on the car I'd call a instrument bezel ( plastic thing with holes for gauges) and an speedometer. To remove the instrument bezel I removed all the screws around the edges and got it loose from the dash but couldn't totally remove it until the 2 lower column bolts were loosened. The 2 I'm talking about are seen from the inside of car looking up at the steering column.
i wish i could get that god damn check engine light to turn off haha someone yanked the computer out so now its all screwed up its seems to really bright also i ended up puttin some electrical tape over it haha.
After watching hours of professionals trying to explain what to do, you were without a doubt the most helpful.
This was FANTASTIC!! Thank you for sharing and THANK you for making it simple! I have a 1963 Pontiac, 389 4 bbl Grand Prix, and just recently ALL of my dashboard lights and wipers went out. You are the first video, and it was a one video fix! Grounding.. Of course!! Because I have the same light bulbs with only one wire, its the casing which needs to be grounded. Thank you again.
Fixmasster Thanks for the nice comment, glad it helped and thanks for watching!
Hey thanks man, glad it helped! I actually had the local parts store order it for me but I'm sure you can find them online. Should probably be 67-69 Firebird. Thanks for watching!
Wow this is an old video. Strange it is the first time I've seen a 1967-68 Canaro or Firebird Guage Cluster with the Speedometer on the right side instead of the left. Since, I only have worked on Camaros, I searched for an answer, right or left? It seems both are factory correct. While the Canaro is on the left, tach or other guages on the right, the Firebirds or possibly just the Firebird Trans Am versions, roughted the speedo cable differently and made the speedomete need to be in the right side. Not sure if that was factory for ALL Firebirds or just Trans Ams. No clear answer Online either. Or maybe you or a previous owner reassembled it differently on purpose? Since, the factory made both versions, it can be which ever way the builder wants. Although all of the aftermarket clusters, even OEM reproductions insist on only picturing the Camaro left side layout. I am glad I looked into it, that is history I never knew and likely not a lot of non-Pontiac/other car guys/gals know as well. Either way you detailed video was helpful to my project even 12 years after you posted it, so thank you.
Good stuff and timeless, well, till all the fossil fuels are outlawed. Workin on '66 Mustang in 2020 but same rules apply. L8r.
Might be a long shot but sounds reasonable... the arm on the column for the turn signals if you slightly move it up while that lights on will it turn off. Sounds like maybe the mechanisms worn or just doesnt completly return to the home position so the light turns on but not far enough to engage the relay to make the blinker blink.
I just went through this on my 68 Camaro, new circuit board, new bulbs, new wiring harness , good ground, ect. but only half the lights would work and no blinkers.. so I pulled apart checked lights all good, lights back in sockets checked with jumper wires off the battery... most not working, and this is with light in socket but light and socket out of cluster. so cleaned all socket with contact cleaner ... now everything works! and these are 5/8 sockets if you need new ones.
@NaplesSwampRat Yeah they can really be a pain sometimes... the hardest part is standing on your head under the dash... it's all worth it though!
Hope u show us wen it's done! Looking forward to it!
Hey there you go... that's an easy fix! ;) Thanks for watching man!
on 67 & 68 camaro they are a pain. the ground for the guage pack is the center screw that screws them to the dash. so if it missing you loose everything. also dropping the column like that is the only way i know to get the plastic out.
nice. i have a 1969 firebird and bought a dash bezel as some idiot had cut mine many many years ago to put a radio in ... and they failed. I also have no lights at all, although i did have them for years for the speedometer. This may be a nice help.
@thefarmfred1 Yeah it was a mess... I got it all cleaned up before I put it all back in! What a mess!
Hey I know this is an older video but, do you know if the resistor has to be out and off the back of the gauge to test it? I have a 71 c10. I unplugged dash harness to prevent any interference with the key off and took the top nuts off that hold the circuit board down. The resistor nuts are still on and it’s reading 40 ohms. I’m afraid to tear the circuit board trying to get it over the posts/pegs.
Thank you! or to anyone with any input or help!
Hey I recently swapped to a tilt floor shift steering column and now when I turn the key on the instrument lights don’t come on ?
Good video my buddies having problems with his ,so I'm using this as a guide thanks
Hey give it a try... took care of my headaches! Thanks for watching!
Would this work ok a 1967 Camaro ?
Have a 1980 transam , previos owner not sure what he did. Blinkers work, fasten seatbelt , all bulbs work individually- but illumination lights don’t work. Fuses fine, dimmer switch fine as far as I can see, new printed circuit board. There’s a bulb with a black/gray wire that looks like it plugs into a port with no circuit board Contact. It works individually (I took it out and used a battery to test it by itself). Any ideas ? This ground thing you’re doing seems maybe a possibility
Wish you did a film on getting the bezel out. What an awful design. I loosened the steering wheel column as suggested but it still wont come out. Many wires are tight and holding it in.
@ningaponer6 Ohh lots more to come!
hey there, i have a 3 gauge panel on my 91 mustang and in the middle i have a "z" series autometer oil press gauge,the gauge works great but the light is worthless,its what they call a perimeter lighting and at night you can see a little of the bottom and the center of the gauge is black, my other 2 gauges are autometer "autogage" the cheaper versions and those work great, the reason i put the z in the middle is because the cheaper lineup doesn't have electrical oil press gauges and im not a big fan of the little copper or nylon tube,anyhow, think a LED might work better? i have them running of the radio lighting that goes thru the dimmer switch, is that some low voltage cause i noticed the bulbs are not super bright?
still a long way to go man !! hahahaha btw im missing comments off you on my vids buddy ! i did put a lot off work into my last vid......
Thank you for your video. I disassembled my 69 Firebirds dash last winter and didn't take near enough pictures. Now I'm struggling with remembering where 2 pieces go. They are flat pieces approximately 1.5" long with holes on each end but one is bent up 90°. Any help would be much appreciated!
Hey David, well this videos 11yrs old and unfortunately I no longer have the car.
If it's real thin metal I want to say the dash and radio had something like that that mounted to them to help ground them to the dash itself for the illumination lights.
Thanks, I'll give it a shot.
Here's one for ya...I replaced my cluster circuit board and replaced all the lights and all the things the lights sit in. Everything works after also replacing one fuse.... One question though, the left blinker light stays on... It blinks when it's suppose to and so does then right blinker...but when not in blink mode it doesn't turn off(left side only) it just stays on Is that normal or is there something wrong? If so what would it be? Thanks
great tips!
@scottaner500 Hey thanks for watching!
@MrRedneckjosh Good possibility!
Thanx you sir very helpful!
Hey thanks a lot, it help me a lot.
Thanks for the info my Southern Buddy(cool accent).NICE CAR !
Hey thanks for watching!
The turn signals were not grounded they went right out when you grounded the gauge cluster. TURN SIGNALS ARE FINE.
thank you, thank you, AND THANK YOU
Maybe you can help me with my problem. The smallest fuse on the fuse box isn't getting any power on my 68 firebird. I traced it from the fuse box to a place where it is connected to three other grey wires. They go to a stereo light, transmission shifter plug, and the last one goes to the plug on the back of the gauge cluster. Any suggestions?
It's been awhile since I messed with this, I know I had ground issues especially on the dash so it was dim. Ran an extra good ground and helped alot. Really just need to trace it out and find out where it's lost, hacked up stereos are always good culprits.
@eviltrucks101 Hey thanks!
lol look at all the spaghetti in there!
@djbazzmaster Yeah thanks man!
How do i remove the gage clusteer wire it is thhick and black lol
TO RITE GOOD VID
You never mentioned the smallest fuse in the fuse box it's for the gauges.CHECK IT FIRST. If your gauge lights use to work but no longer come on at all start with the fuse.
Well I did that. Still no Guage lights. Or interior now and radio. Nothing works except signals and outer lights. Great! !
@@vickikgibson9470 ever figure it out ?
@@jmilz08 Yes, but my problem was solved with the ignition, so once that was changed out, all my lights worked again properly! Sometimes those parts can stop connections, which was wrong with mine. I also changed out 2 burned-out bulbs later, but those had not interfered with the rest of the lights. Hope this also helps! Cheers!
@@vickikgibson9470 so it was your ignition switch ?
I need to replace my tach on my 69 Firebird. Can you give me some instruction on how to best remove the bezzel?
If I remember right after all the screws were removed I had to loosen the 2 bolts to drop the steering column a little to pull the instrument bezel out. Hope this helps and thanks for watching!
I think I need to get the terminology right. I am trying to take the whole dash plate off, this is what is shown on the roof of your car. Once this is off I assume I can remove the gauge cluster from the dash plate. I heard there are at least two hidden screws that attach the dash plate to a bracket and if you don't don't know where they are it is difficult to locate. Do you have any reference drawing etc?
+Don Boser I never took the dash out of the car so can't really help there.. Pulling the gauge cluster didn't seem possible with out dropping the column some though.
What are you calling the parts that are top of your car in the video? I am calling it a dash carrier and this is what is sitting on top of your car.
+Don Boser I made this video 5 years ago so a little fuzzy. Parts on the car I'd call a instrument bezel ( plastic thing with holes for gauges) and an speedometer. To remove the instrument bezel I removed all the screws around the edges and got it loose from the dash but couldn't totally remove it until the 2 lower column bolts were loosened. The 2 I'm talking about are seen from the inside of car looking up at the steering column.
The only difference between your car and a 68 GTO/Lemans is where they put everything.
How do i remove the dash
you have a country singers voice.
Haha thanks, country ain't bad so I'll take that as a compliment I guess. I've gotten that afew times before. Thanks for watching.
i bet thats whats wrong with my jimmys dash
i wish i could get that god damn check engine light to turn off haha someone yanked the computer out so now its all screwed up its seems to really bright also i ended up puttin some electrical tape over it haha.