Gotta' love the idiot cluster
06-18-07, 08:56 PM
#1
Gotta' love the idiot cluster
Tonight was the first night-time driving I've done in this particular car...and I had been under the impression that the idiot cluster was cold...but in truth, the bulbs are just really old and all dim. My 'Charge' light comes on...according to the gauge, my voltage is where it should be...but I know my alternator belt is crap and slips under moderate acceleration..that's probably that problem.
My 'Add Coolant' light is on constantly until I pull up on the e-brake...then it goes out. IIRC, that sensor wire is on the top of the radiator...? If so, I'm pretty sure that's the wire that is unplugged ATM.. I'll try reconnecting that at some point and see if that makes it go out.
Rather than start a new thread, I do have a question about the main wiring harness:
This isn't the original engine. The wiring harness had been cut and the replacement engine's spliced in. There's a thick light gray wire that has a second black wire inside of it that is not connected... What the heck is it?
My 'Add Coolant' light is on constantly until I pull up on the e-brake...then it goes out. IIRC, that sensor wire is on the top of the radiator...? If so, I'm pretty sure that's the wire that is unplugged ATM.. I'll try reconnecting that at some point and see if that makes it go out.
Rather than start a new thread, I do have a question about the main wiring harness:
This isn't the original engine. The wiring harness had been cut and the replacement engine's spliced in. There's a thick light gray wire that has a second black wire inside of it that is not connected... What the heck is it?
06-18-07, 11:41 PM
#2
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
Sounds like you have the wrong idiot light cluster for the car.
What is the year and model of the car
What is the year and model of the car
Last edited by Icemark; 06-18-07 at 11:59 PM.
06-19-07, 12:24 AM
#5
When the add coolant light comes on, does a buzzer come on too? Maybe it's being funky or maybe you're just a little low on coolant. But normally if your coolant is low the buzzer buzzes too. If your coolant sensor is disconnected, it should definately buzz. Does the buzzer work? It should also buzz at redline, if you want an easy way to check it. Warm up your care before redlining, btw.
As for the disconnected wire, there are a lot of connectors that are intentionally not connected to anything. They are for hooking up test instruments. Dunno if your wire is one of them, though.
Besides that the gauge electricals tend to be a bit spotty in these cars due to a sub-standard soldering process. You can resolder or replace the boards, if you want.
As for the disconnected wire, there are a lot of connectors that are intentionally not connected to anything. They are for hooking up test instruments. Dunno if your wire is one of them, though.
Besides that the gauge electricals tend to be a bit spotty in these cars due to a sub-standard soldering process. You can resolder or replace the boards, if you want.
06-19-07, 02:45 AM
#6
Sounds a lot like a ground problem, either within the harness or the solder joints in the idiot cluster itself, or incorrect cluster like Icemark said. When all things are normal, the low coolant light should be on with the coolant level sensor unplugged. All lights dim points to poor grounds most of the time, sometimes low charging volts, sometimes solder joints. Check grounds first, then if all else fails, remove the idiot cluster just enough to leave it plugged in. With key on and engine off, try to flex/ twist/ tap on the cluster and watch for changes in brightness or function, which would indicate solder joints.
