Electrical issues looking for Car Restorer in South NJ or near there

[frank]

I have an electrical short that needs to be corrected, (this fix is
out of my technical ability) I’m looking for a very reputable
restoration shop that can take care of my 69RR. The short
is behind the dash somewhere. I’m looking for a shop who
is not a fly-by-night but knows what they’re doing with electrical issues…..
I live in the middle of Delaware…………….

 

[D575]

What are the symptoms ?

 

[frank]

The Altimeter, gas and temp. gages jump around and slam to the right while driving.
Then they may come back slowly but after a minute or so that start slamming to the
right again. I hooked the cigarette lighter and the map light together and connected
that to a wire in the fuse box. I also put new connectors on the ends of the wires that
connect to the heater box, (not sure that would matter). I installed a Tac. that fit onto
the dash (where the clock would be). But I had no issues after installing it, the problems
occurred after that.

 

[tpodwdog]

if all of your gauges are swinging to the right simultaneously... (..this is telling me they are all grounding out at the same time and this could be the voltage limiter)....OR..there is a wire or something touching SOMEPLACE on the circuit board grounding out the entire circuit board.

do they all peg at the same time ?...or do they take turns ??

 

[frank]

They all peg at the same time..............to the right

 

[tpodwdog]

They all peg at the same time..............to the right

then theres a short in the entire circuit board affecting all the gauges. you might need to replace the circuit board. charger specialties has them....their ad is on the right ,,,,,,over there!>>>>>>>>

 

[frank]

Thanks...but I have no idea how to pull the dash or even where to start.

 

[tpodwdog]

if yopu have tools and some mechanical ability....you can do it...it looks intimidating ,,,but its really not!

 

[frank]

I have the tools..........are and videos or a plcae I can view to get started?

 

[tpodwdog]

i looked all over for a video for ya.. cant find one. i has hoping to be able to help you and i could if it was a 1970...because i just rebuilt my dash but im not sure about a 69. im sure its not that difficult, but you might be better off taking it to someone than knows how and has experiance in doing that stuff!

 

[frank]

Believe me I’m very disappointed that I can do this; I’ve done so much
mechanical work on this car that not being able to find this short or change
out the circuit board is very disappointing for me. But sometimes things
are a bit out of reach. I don’t want to try to get the dash out and have to
replace several parts because I didn’t know how to disassemble it. I don’t
know whether to start from the front or the back……I’m just lost with this one.
Again very “Disappointing”

 

[Ron 73]

Frank, If that manual wont work out i told you about ill see if a friend of mine has one for dis-assembly.. maybe a video walk thru.. I tried myself looking up some kind of diagram or video for you like tpodwdog and it seems i come up with nothing to.. I think a short is suspect myself but reading on those limiters on the back of gauge panel its a possibility, Aint those electrical gremlins a pain!

 

[tpodwdog]

disapointing on this end also frank. electrical gremlins are my specialty and i feel bad that i dont know enuff about your 69. like i said , if it was a 70 ,,,it would be fixed ! im sure the internal workings are pretty much the same but id hate like hell to have you rip into that dash, and be stuck on it and have to have it towed to be repaired!

 

[luther]

I just fixed an electrical problem by changing the voltage regulator on my 73 RR. Don't know if yours has one, but it might be causing your problem. With the engine running, the battery voltage should be charging to a little over 13 volts. Mine was 17 volts and higher. I think that caused some shorts I found in the wiring under the dash. In your case, you still need to find the wiring problem, even if a bad regulator caused the problem.
Good luck, Luther

 

[dave5237]

if yopu have tools and some mechanical ability....you can do it...it looks intimidating ,,,but its really not!

I agree. Take your time Frank and use your digital camera to video your tear-down ( separate your screws in bags or yogurt cups ). It is not that hard like TPODWDOG said. YOU CAN DO IT ! :headbang:

 

[tpodwdog]

frank...here....look at these pix and this should give you a little more confidence. its relatively simple and looks like it comes out from the front. copy these pix and make them bigger on your computer and use them as a reference!

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?t=33192

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

I'll chime in here since I have taken my cluster out a few times and restored most of the gauges.

You are going to have to take you switch panel out, the switch's below the instrument cluster. But before you un-screw and pull reach behind the dash and un plug the connectors to the switches. Being careful, it is possible to pull the switch panel forward some to see the light, dimmer, washer, wiper switches and the connectors.

Once out you will see all the screws holding in the cluster.

Again reach behind the cluster and carefully disconnect the speedometer cable and the round electrical connector going to the circuit board.

Now you can pull the cluster straight out towards you and take it out. in the last picture of the link tpodwdog sent you you see a few screws holding the circuit board in place along with the lamp sockets and a square tin box plugged into the circuit board. Replace that it is called a voltage limiter it takes the 12vdc from your car and converts it to 5vdc for the guages.

I say replace it because once you cluster is out you might as well update it to the new solid state version.

Now check all the screws holding the circuit board down and make sure they are tight. Re install the cluster and make sure every screw goes back in and is tight with good contact to the metal frame. Everything should be working perfectly. Good luck. Don't be afraid to tackle this fix we are here and can help you! post pictures as you go we can be like surgeons walking you through it from a remote camera

Remember this GROUNDS! everything in your car has to have a good ground for it to work electrically if you have one loose ground it will cause a problem. A loose screw at the cluster to dash frame a loose screw on the cluster circuit board. Even a painted surface can cause a bad ground.

I had a fried circuit trace and several loose pins on the round connector simple fix.



http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/attachment.php?attachmentid=63311&stc=1&d=1334414004

Here are some simple wiring diagrams and below a more detailed technical one out of the service manual.
http://mymopar.com/downloads/1969/69BelvedereGTXSatelliteRoadRunnerA.JPG

http://mymopar.com/downloads/1969/69BelvedereGTXSatelliteRoadRunnerB.JPG

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B20HDyEEpzYtZ1JVWHozUkhRMzZjV2s2QmsyekJSQQ

 

[tpodwdog]

thanx BIGMAN

 

[frank]

has anyone heard to a place called Crazy Horse Hot Roda in NJ, are they any good?

Still need to find a place to fix this elec. short I have

 

[frank]

First, thanks to everyone who tried to help me with that dam short somewhere
behind the dash. I did what I could but came up short. I found a guy in Delaware,
was wondering if anyone heard of him.

Herb's Parts out of Middletown, DE 19709.

Need you input