Erratic gauges

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Dart66

Dart66

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My 66 Dart has a problem where the gauges will run at normal position for a while then will climb up about a quarter of the way and stay there. At that point, if I turn the lights on and off quickly, or the heater/AC fan, they will drop back down to their normal running position again for a while.
Am I dealing with voltage regulator issues, or maybe that voltage limiter on the back of the instrument panel?

Appreciate your input.
 
Put a meter on the battery and find out. If it is infrequent, wire into something easy, like pulling the wire off the lighter, etc. Could be bad connection, bad VR, bad VR grounding, etc, could be a few things. FIRST thing to do is find out if the charging/ running voltage is stable, and if so, then attack the circuit in/ around the cluster
 
Possibly the IVR Instrument Voltage Regulator. Somebody here makes and sells a solid state version.
 
I run a separate volt meter and oil gauge. The voltage never moves......runs just under 14 all the time. Also checked at the battery....13.9 consistent.
Everything else runs normaly......just the gauge movement.
Leaning toward IVR.
 
That or a bad connection. Known problems: The instrument cluster harness connector pins get loose, you must solder them to the board traces. Gauge studs/ nuts get corroded, loosen/ tighten the nuts a few times. The IVR can be bad OR THE IVR connector fingers can lose contact with the board traces. Solder them across to the traces

Find yourself some ELECTRONIC (not plumbing) compatible either liquid or paste flux and make certain you are using electronics compatible solder. NON acid flux

Last I knew, SRA was sold on ebay, I don't care for the consistency, but it works. Or a liquid flux "pen." These have a felt tip. Keep them capped / sealed. You can soak the tip in isopropyl if it gets finicky


Here is one source, just a quick search

www.ebay.com

SRA Rosin Paste Flux #135 in a 2 oz Jar | eBay

SRA Solder Dept. Rosin leaves a protective coating over soldered area once job is finished. Why SRA Soldering Products?. The ideal flux for electrical and electronic repairs. The ideal flux for electrical and electronic repairs.
www.ebay.com
 
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