73 dart sport factory fuel and temp gauges not working

-
8UpMotorsports

8UpMotorsports

Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2016
Messages
15
Reaction score
1
Location
Altamont, IL
As the ritle says my fuel and temp gauges do not work on my 73 dart sport. They haven't worked since I have owned the car. I'm guessing the viltage limiter went bad. If that's the case is it likely that it fried my gauges or could I just replace the voltage limiter?
 
Most of the time the limiter just fails inside and stops supplying voltage and the gauges are fine.
I gave my limiter away to someone who needed one, and they can be gotten online, but you can also make an electronic one for about $1.50
An electronic one will supply a steady 5v instead of the old OE mechanical on/off style and this is one I built and it worked perfect.
It uses a Radio Shack 12v to 5v regulator that I think was about 50 cents.

guageregulator.jpg
 
Check out RTE's site RTE limiter - rte for more info on how these things work and why you might not want the steady 5V. Of course they are trying to sell a more expensive product, but it's more of a direct replacement for the factory limiter.
 
To get to the limiter im guessing I will need to pull the cluster out or can I just drop the column and get to it while it's in the car?
 
8UpMotorsports said:
To get to the limiter im guessing I will need to pull the cluster out or can I just drop the column and get to it while it's in the car?
Click to expand...
To pull the OEM and plug another in from underneath the dash can/has been done but... it aint easy or simple as it sounds. Why?... the middle leg of the 3 is the 12 volt contact. There's another male spade poked in there with the limiters spade. So 2 males in one female ( keep your dirty mind to yourself ). That extra male terminal is on a dangly piece of wire coming from a noise suppression capasitor. Although some yahoos, and even some vendors website info might state ,"you don't need that anyway",... to omit/delete it can result in a loose connection. Limiter operation could come and go with bumps in the road. So... try to get it back together correctly from underneath if you want.
A better plan is follow the instructions found in factory service manual to R&R the panel. Clean all contacts, bench test everything, 6 to 8 new light bulbs, fix it all at once and be done with it.
 
Whichever way you decide, disconnect your battery first. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top