Faulty Instrument Cluster or Something Worse?

[geminusprime]

This is my cluster as it came, just started doing this a few days ago.

I've got a full replacement cluster on the way with the additional gauges I need, but before i go through installing that, is this something that may be a larger problem? I was thinking maybe electrical, but hoping it's just a bad cluster.

Once I have the new one in, I'll clean up and resolder the contacts on the old one, but for now I don't want to risk screwing something up and not having a working cluster at all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZZsqp64muw

As a lucky bonus, while the cluster was out, i figured out how to get cruise control and high idle control working! It's idling at 1,200 RPM.

[cadillackid]

that looks like one of the issues which is classic connection related.. its going through its power cycle up and down routine so probably one of the power leads..



the full sweep oil P gauge is if i remember an actual mechanical gauge with an oil line going to it.. and that temp gauge is an actual sender...



re-soldering the connectors very well might fix that one..



-Christopher

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Looks like a faulty solder connection. I didn't waste my money on another cluster, I just reflowed the solder on the socket connections and was rather quickly back in business.


As I recall, the oil pressure, voltage, and coolant temperature is worked by the computer as well. The fuel level is direct connection to the tank sender, and air pressure (if equipped) is an actual mechanical air-line connected gauge.

[geminusprime]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

that looks like one of the issues which is classic connection related.. its going through its power cycle up and down routine so probably one of the power leads..



the full sweep oil P gauge is if i remember an actual mechanical gauge with an oil line going to it.. and that temp gauge is an actual sender...



re-soldering the connectors very well might fix that one..



-Christopher

Thanks, although I am concerned about the oil gauge. It is a oil line to the gauge, and there is VERY little slack. Is it actually filled with oil, and if so how does one go about removing it without covering the back of the panel with oil?

Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur

Looks like a faulty solder connection. I didn't waste my money on another cluster, I just reflowed the solder on the socket connections and was rather quickly back in business.


As I recall, the oil pressure, voltage, and coolant temperature is worked by the computer as well. The fuel level is direct connection to the tank sender, and air pressure (if equipped) is an actual mechanical air-line connected gauge.

Normally I wouldn't consider buying a replacement cluster just "to have", but a full cluster with all the gauges I need already in it for $79 was a super deal I couldn't pass up. Even sending my existing board to circuitmechanics for the 2 new gauges would cost more.

God bless ebay!

[o1marc]

As long as the motor isn't running their is no pressure in that gauge line. Remove it carefully with a rag and you shouldn't lose any oil.

[cadillackid]

Brad the early E engines pre NavPak / DLC III, and thexgauges weren’t running off the J1708.

The oil line .. when I disconnected mine on my dev bus I pulled it at the opposite and which gave me enough slack to pull the cluster and catch most of the oil going out the opposite end and just a few drops at the gauge.
Christopher

[geminusprime]

What is pre NavPak / DLC III? Is this a good or bad thing?

I know the mechnical 466 is better regarded than the electronic version, is mine a middleman of sorts? Or just lacking something useful?

[cadillackid]

The early electronic engines used 3 box system as it was called..then the diamond logic controller or NavPak as some call it came to use.. most of the 3 box systems were gone by beginning of 97.. I’ve heard of some where the new computer was used but the old style gauge cluster hung on..
as far as which one is better ? There’s quite a few 466e and 444e pre 97 still on the road. If you have a larger single computer hanging off the side of your engine you have a DLC with the old style gauge cluster...

Supposedly the DLC was initially created to have a one box solutions and to communicate with the Allison world (md3000 series) transmissions ..

I’m only going on what a couple long time navistar employees tell me.
Christopher

[Brad_SwiftFur]

I've worked on an old vehicle or two with mechanical oil gauges. There's no pressure on the line with the engine off, remove it carefully and you should only lose a few drops of oil.


I'm rather surprised a '97 has a mechanical oil gauge. My '87 (9.0L engine) had an electric gauge. I know this for a fact as I had to replace the sending unit (was showing 80 PSI oil pressure at idle before replacement).

[cadillackid]

Brad it’s a weird one as the S series all had electric gauges from what I know, I think even the DTs, but they went back to mechanical for a few years in the 3800/4700/4900 ... even the early t444e has these gauges.. from what I’ve seen, the gauges that are 0-100 full circle sweep are the mechanical and the 0-100 gauge that’s just across the top are part of the communicating clusters.

Funny thing is my 1978 bus has an electric oil gauge. Albeit iloadstsrs did t have integrated clusters but have VDO style round gauges.. nice because there’s no board.. you can replace individual gauges on that one
Christopher

[geminusprime]

Fixed!

Resoldered the connectors, plugged it back in, problem solved!


No oil leakage either!