Gauge cluster question

[oreokid220]

I was wondering on the 1998 gauge cluster if anyway has seen the back of it. If so, do you think that the two sides on the right and left (oil, fuel, water, volt) gauges could be cut off only leaving the RPMs and Speed in tack and working. Or is it one big chip in the back so if I cut it is would not be able to function. Please let me know.

Basically I want to remove everything except the RPMs and Speedo, but still be able to use the RPMs and Speedo

Jed

oreokid220@aol.com

 

[RiverRat]

I don't see why you couldn't pull out the fuel/coolant and voltage/oil gauges. On the back of the cluster housing there is a flexible circut board that you could modify if you need to.

You also need to adapt the cluster somehow so the alternator will work without the voltage gauge.

 

[oreokid220]

That was my next question. If just the gaueges are just removed but the sensors are left in place will this cause a problem.

Also withthe flex cable between the boards, could this just be cut, becaue I need to totaly remove these gauges.

Jed

oreokid220@aol.com

P.S. ~ Riverat do you know this from experiance?

 

[RiverRat]

I'm not certain on this but I believe the only "driveability" problem you would encounter would be with the charging sytem. Oil, temp, fuel shouldn't cause any problems.

It's not the charge gauge but the charge indicator light and resistor that if disconnected will not allow the alternator to work at all.

You can cut the circut board, just make sure you know what circuts you are cutting. Sounds like an interesting project you are working on. I don't have any experience with what you are doing, I just know from spending time working on Fords.

 

[oreokid220]

Could you explain the charging system problem alttle more and how to fix it?

Also do you know where I could get a drawing of the circuit boards and what is what on them?

Do you think if i hooked an aftermarket gauge to the volt wires on the stock ones that would fix it?

Thanks again.

Jed

oreokid220@aol.com

 

[RiverRat]

You are gonna have to look at a ford charging system EVTM. I think once you look at the circut you will see what you would need to do. As long as you keep the charge light and resistor you should be ok.

You might be able to hook up the aftermarket volt gauge right up to the factory wiring. So what are you building anyway?

 

[oreokid220]

hahah I am building something good. I cannto say right now in case it does not work. But as you can see i have to remove all that stuff and the volt problme is what I am running into. I am still having troule understand the resistor and stuff. Well maybe I will play with it, but could you explain alittle better.

Also what do you mean the charging systme will not work. like th altinator will not put out a charge. I do not understand why the doesh gauge messes it up. Thanks again.

Jed

oreokid220@aol.com

 

[RiverRat]

I hear you about keeping it secret until it works

The charging system needs the light/resistor or the alternator will not work at all. No amps at all. I would recomend you get a ford EVTM as looking at the circuts makes doing projects much easier.

I'm not sure that the info i gave you is totally correct as I have never hacked up a cluster All I can say is get the EVTM, it will help alot. Check ebay for a cheap one. Good luck on the project.

 

[oreokid220]

What is an EVTM?

Jed

oreokid220@aol.com

 

[oreokid220]

WHere can i got one beside ebay.

Jed

oreokid220@aol.com

 

[RiverRat]

The Electrical Vacuum Trouble Shooting Manual. It is used by Ford Techs. It diagrams every circut, electrical system, wire color, and component. You can buy one from Helm I believe but Ebay is where I purchased my CD Rom.