View Full Version : Gauges and horn not working
DavidW
06-08-2022, 06:19 PM
All of the sudden I'm experiencing no power to gauges or horn. The lights work on the gauges only. Could this be caused from the ignition switch going bad? Still starts, headlights work, and blinkers work, just no gauge activity or horn.
Did you check for blown fuses? The horn and gauge feed are in two different blocks on the fuse panel. One is in the BATT FED section and the other is in the ACC FED section. Do other circuits in those sections still work? If you still have brake lights, wipers, fan, heater, radio, then it's not the ignition switch.
DavidW
06-09-2022, 04:53 PM
Did you check for blown fuses? The horn and gauge feed are in two different blocks on the fuse panel. One is in the BATT FED section and the other is in the ACC FED section. Do other circuits in those sections still work? If you still have brake lights, wipers, fan, heater, radio, then it's not the ignition switch.
Yes checked fuses, all good...everything else is working, brake lights work, radio has power, wipers too, weird. Any idea where I should start looking?
Two circuits with no common connection. Start tracing wires. The horn goes through a relay, so check that first for that circuit. Gauge power could be a loose connection.
Jim Frahm
06-09-2022, 05:51 PM
The only thing they could share is a ground. If you’re using the FFR harness that comes with the complete kit, they combine grounds at random spots inside the harness. I noticed this when I was installing my harness. I would start by checking continuity between the horn and instruments ground wires and chassis. If none present then I would remove the plastic wire loom in the area where it exits the drivers foot box and enters into the engine bay. That area has several ground junction points.
DavidW
06-10-2022, 02:45 PM
Two circuits with no common connection. Start tracing wires. The horn goes through a relay, so check that first for that circuit. Gauge power could be a loose connection.
It was the horn relay, the horn now works but not gouges. I guess I'm tracing wires next...thanks for the help with the relay!!
DavidW
06-10-2022, 02:47 PM
If anyone has any other remedies or something for me to try let me know, thanks.
michael everson
06-11-2022, 05:06 AM
Relay was bad? Open it up and check for water damage. If you find it, pull the fuse for the gauges and see if it’s corroded.
Relays rarely fail on there own
Mike
DavidW
06-11-2022, 07:43 AM
Relay was bad? Open it up and check for water damage. If you find it, pull the fuse for the gauges and see if it’s corroded.
Relays rarely fail on there own
Mike
I opened it up and it looked okay. The fuse was good also. I pulled the fuse panel down and all looked good. Since I have been messing around, cutting zip ties that held everything nice and out of the way the gouges started working again....great. probably a loose wire. I should probably inspect all the wiring now....that's going to be fun, lol. It sure was easier when everything was exposed 6 years ago and I didn't need reading glasses to see up close.
DavidW
06-11-2022, 05:03 PM
Correction....I looked at the wrong relay, the one that wasn't working did have a lot of corrosion. Last year I had to replace my distributor because of corrosion. Guess I better get a dehumidifier for the garage.
You can use dielectric grease in the sockets of the relays to help prevent corrosion.
https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-22058-Dielectric-Tune-Up-Grease/dp/B000AL8VD2/ref=sr_1_3?crid=GVI4KRXZZPN6&keywords=dielectric+grease&qid=1655002185&sprefix=dielectric+grease%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-3