Gauges revisited (2000 response)

[BJC]

Couldn't find the old thread on the issue so started a new one.

Each day I go out, I will have a working tach, non working speedo, and something not working on 4pack (usually temp, might be more).  Behind the gauge panel, I have 4 wire bundles for the 3 gauges.  If I swap them around all the gauges will usually work fine for remainder of the day.  No matter what I leave plugged into what, I will have same problem next time I go out.  Is this the computer?  

[minnmarker]

I assume you mean swat them around or jiggle them?  Swapping not a good idea.

It's probably your 16 year old wiring harnesses that have been getting looser every year.  If they are round pin into barrel type, get in the female side (the side with the little metal barrels) of each harness with a small needle nose (like a medical type) and crimp the barrels just a touch right where you see the gap that runs down the side of the barrel.  If you crimp too much don't force the connector together, use a small nail to push the barrel side back out a bit.  If they are the flat pin type spray some electrical contact cleaner on both sides.  Don't use dielectric grease.  Or you can get on Amazon or eBay and find some new harnesses to solder (not crimp) in place of the old ones.

[BJC]

I actually mean swap.  Someone on this forum suggested that on another gauge thread.  

Anyhow, thanks.  I'll give your suggestion a try.  

[Kmfish87]

1 hour ago, minnmarker said:

I assume you mean swat them around or jiggle them?  Swapping not a good idea.

It's probably your 16 year old wiring harnesses that have been getting looser every year.  If they are round pin into barrel type, get in the female side (the side with the little metal barrels) of each harness with a small needle nose (like a medical type) and crimp the barrels just a touch right where you see the gap that runs down the side of the barrel.  If you crimp too much don't force the connector together, use a small nail to push the barrel side back out a bit.  If they are the flat pin type spray some electrical contact cleaner on both sides.  Don't use dielectric grease.  Or you can get on Amazon or eBay and find some new harnesses to solder (not crimp) in place of the old ones.

Why wouldn't you use dielectric grease?

[minnmarker]

17 minutes ago, Kmfish87 said:

Why wouldn't you use dielectric grease?

It's an insulator used to make sure current does not leak.  It does not promote conduction.

[Kmfish87]

Weird, I always thought it promoted conductivity but a quick google search proved me wrong.

learn something new every day!

[JasonK]

Learned something new today too.

[mgb1974]

Does your 4 way gage cycle/needles move when you turn the key? This the test function.

I just replaced mine because it would cycle but the gas gage always read empty. New gage from bakes fixed it. 

My speedo also had to be replaced because it was faulty a few years ago. 

http://www.bakesonline.com/images/MediaLibrary/MedallionII_Troubleshoot.pdf

Try this, it worked for me to figure out the gage was bad vs the MDC.