In the last few days, I have lost the lights in the dashboard that illuminate the fuel and temp gauges in my '51 Pacemaker. All my exterior lights are working fine, and my speedometer and clock lights work fine, even the light that illuminates under the dash when the switch turns on the parking lights is working. I have a spare gauge cluster assembly next to me, and it appears that there are 3 bulbs that illuminate the center two gauges, so it seems unlikely that all three bulbs burned out simultaneously. I have installed a rebuilt light switch in the last couple years as well, although I had a short and it got hot once, but that was about a year ago and it hasn't had issues since, so that is hopefully not the issue. I looked at the wiring diagram in my downloaded manual, but the poor resolution made it very difficult to discern, even when printed out.
My questions are these: 1) Are the 3 bulbs for the center gauges powered by one wire from the switch? 2) Does the center gauge cluster ground through the two screws that attach it to the main cluster? 3) Has anyone else had this issue and, if so, what did they do to resolve it?
I'm just hoping to get a head-start on where to look before I spend significant time upside down and on my head in my floorboard, an activity that sounds like far more fun than it actually is. Thanks for all responses in advance.
Ken Cates to the rescue, with a readable wiring diagram! (Actually, his 1952 diagram is even more readable than the 1951). Go to his Hudson Wiring Diagrams page [url= https://hudsonrestoration1948-54.com/ElectricalSystems.htm ]https://hudsonrestoration1948-54.com/ElectricalSystems.htm[/url] and then select the Wiring Diagram link.
And while you're at it, bookmark his very helpful Restoring Stepdowns website [url= https://hudsonrestoration1948-54.com/ ]https://hudsonrestoration1948-54.com/[/url] for future reference, it's packed with helpful information! And support his site with a donation!
So, from the diagram, it looks like the problem has occurred on the wire that feeds power to the fuel and heat gauges from the rheostat (under the dash?). The wire has shorted, or become detached; you could use a test light to see just how far the power comes (from the rheostat) before it peters out. For some reason the wiring diagram shows only one light, not three. The "ground" theory is a possibility. Try touching a wire to the cluster assembly and then finding a good ground under the dash and touching that with the other end. Could be...
I'm afraid all of this will require a bit of "upside down and on my head" time. It might make things easier if you pulled out the front seat cushion and laid some blankets on the floor to cushion things, a bit.
Very good site with a lot of useful info. Highly recommended.
The instrument cluster with the fuel and temp gauges has three bulbs, but only the center one is for illuminating the fuel and temp gauges. The other two holes left and right are for the special insulated sockets for the AMP and OIL warning lights. The center illumination bulb in the cluster share the same circuit as the illumination bulbs of the speedometer and clock. So the circuit from the switch is intact, you either have a burnt out bulb, or perhaps the socket has popped out of the hole.
Aha! That makes so much more sense -- I completely forgot about the idiot lights, since I've installed an oil pressure gauge and voltmeter, I never look at them! Okay, so all I have to troubleshoot is the one bulb, not three. Really appreciate this -- thanks for correctly interpreting my misunderstanding!!
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