Circuit Board Removal

[pnora]

Just as the title says. I am putting my 69 charger back together. Gauges are inop. New wiring harnesses, Cluster completely refurbished. I even bought a new circuit board with the integrated voltage limiter as I did not like a loose pin on the old one. I have the dash in the car and am ready to fire it up. Everything works perfect except the gauges. I regret now not doing a bench test of the system first. I compared all connectors to the board and they are all correct. I am pretty sure the voltage limiter is defective. My question is has anyone replaced the circuit board in the car without removing the cluster. If so please give me some ideas as how you did it. Everything fits so tight and there are so many connections on the back side and these clusters really fit tight and I hate to rough thinks up. Thanks.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

I have not worked on a set of Rally gauges but have removed a cluster and you are correct what a pain in the ***. But it does look like the Rally is a little easier to remove than a standard setup.
It might even be easier to remove and replace the limiter.

 

[pnora]

I have not worked on a set of Rally gauges but have removed a cluster and you are correct what a pain in the ***. But it does look like the Rally is a little easier to remove than a standard setup.
It might even be easier to remove and replace the limiter.

View attachment 979598

The problem is the new style circuit board has the limiter integrated [soldered] into the board. So the board has to come out. If at all possible I would like to try to replace it without pulling the cluster. It looks like I could get some access with the column removed. I just figured before I start I might get some input if doable or not.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

Sadly it’s one of those things nobody can tell you what to do. I mean it really depends on how and if you can contort yourself into a pretzel or not. 3 options I can think of are 1. Pull the cluster 2.since you do t have the glass installed rotate the dash on the 2 side bolts and access it through the windshield area. Would still require you to drop the column though. Or remove the dash.

 

[pnora]

Sadly it’s one of those things nobody can tell you what to do. I mean it really depends on how and if you can contort yourself into a pretzel or not. 3 options I can think of are 1. Pull the cluster 2.since you do t have the glass installed rotate the dash on the 2 side bolts and access it through the windshield area. Would still require you to drop the column though. Or remove the dash.

I like your suggestion of option 2. I had never thought of that. I can have toe column lowered and the studs removed in 10 minutes. If I can remove the top cowl screws and loosen the lower to be able to rotate it enough to get my arm in that could possibly work real well. Thanks for the idea.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

Yup no problem. Im a short guy and I find getting under the dashes to be a pain in the ***. So I look for alternate ways of doing what needs to be done. lol

 

[pnora]

Yup no problem. Im a short guy and I find getting under the dashes to be a pain in the ***. So I look for alternate ways of doing what needs to be done. lol

Worked perfect that way. Had it out in 20 minutes. Pisses me off brand new circuit board and it is defective. Thanks again for the great suggestion.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

No problem.. Glad you got it sorted out.