JACook has a nice description of how he cleans his cluster circuit flex mylar here at Post 12:
http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...rinted+circuit
I also found a detailed diagnostic with all kinds of pictures on a BMW owner's blog here:
http://928intl.com/tips/
He describes the Cluster issues that he had in Part 1:
http://928intl.com/tips/Pod%20Remova...Repair%20I.htm
And his nicely detailed steps in Part II:
http://928intl.com/tips/Instrument%2...epair%20II.htm
NPD have new Flex PCBs and the other bits involved in these clusters:
https://www.npdlink.com/store/catalo...er-5675-1.html
My issues are solvable.
I have a parasitic load that drains my new battery in a few hours. So far it only heats up the yellow wire that distributes to the ignition switch OR the Brown/Orange wire that handles the buzzers and other circuits,
My rear hatch wiper/works, but my front interval wiper/washer doesn't (I know they worked before I started this second resto, so I suspect that I just need to connect the ground at the underdash interval governor box.
And all of my dome and map lights and vanity mirror visor lights don't work, but I think that's a connector.
We're getting a weird fall, so some days are drizzly and above 45F, others are near freezing, but sunny.
Firstly, I have replaced the ignition switch and starter relay, I had to buy a new Starter since the C4 starter doesn't work on my SROD. And I did start it and tune it, before these evasive electrical mysteries popped up. I have a voltmeter inside the car and the alternator pumps out 14 volts. New battery too (Made for our cold climate)
But my ammeter isn't working (and it did), my turn signal cluster lights aren't cooperating (and they did), but they work with the Hazard switch on) headlights work fine, radio, heater/AC fan all good.
And I can't really ask for help, BECAUSE, The underdash circuit is from a 1981 Capri, the Power Windows and door locks are from a 1989 Crown Vic (and they all worked before this latest resto.)
But I thought I'd take a bit of time to describe my diagnostic processes:
I have a good multimeter, an old school continuity test light (since I can't use the battery) with its own battery powered (AA battery) light, another light probe that needs a 12V power source to tell me if the circuit is continuous or not grounded or badly grounded.
The next couple days will be sunny and warmer, after tomorrow, and since these testers are battery powered they wouldn't last long in freezing temps.
But I took the instrument cluster out, to clean up the contacts and test my gauges and instrument lights. The BMW tips (links above) go through the guy's solutions one gauge or issue at a time, so I'll do all my checking as he did.
My console is also from the same 1981 Capri, and all of its display works fine (Clock, fuel level, lighting circuit, etc. The Oil, Fuel and Temp gauges and Tach all work fine. Just the Ammeter isn't working.
Since mine is a 1979 Fairmont, the EVTM says I have a connector C251 somewhere behind the Instrument cluster (only a 2-wire connector), but I think that went with replacing it with the 1981 Capri harness.
Its hard to be patient, when I need to use the car to haul out the Donor Scrap, clean up the yard for winter shovelling and snow blowing, and get materials for my house reno projects for winter projects, but I think I can do it over the next 5 or 6 days. I keep you posted on my progress.
Here's the test tools I have:
Multimeter:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/au...0052p.html#srp
12 VDC Test probe:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/te...1061p.html#srp
Continuity Test Light: Old school - hard to find.
http://www.princessauto.com/en/detai...er/A-p4211094e
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/te...1061p.html#srp
I found some excellent videos on using these testing tools on YouTube that are worth posting here:
My favorites are by Eric The Car Guy ETCG, but ChrisFix is good too:
His Parasitic drain procedures
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdIKNnwEjIs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdIKNnwEjIs
His Fairmont Project car - Must See!:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...U14Vt7JJ_QSZvs
ChrisFix - Finding shorts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5FJDgcdii8
Fusible Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SpsSRGfDQI
In the meanwhile, I'm working on insulation my upper floor and adding 3 bedrooms and a bathroom.
I'll post my progress over the next few days.
EVTMs:
I also have both a 1981 Fairmont/Zephyr and a 1981 Mustang/Capri EVTM on the way. Should be here by Monday. Should have got those a long time ago.
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