Dash Cluster Failure

[T.P.Crockmier]

Hi Everybody,

I'm throwing this out here prior to any troubleshooting because it's late at night, I just got home, and I haven't bothered to look into anything.

I have an 86 300 SDL that was just at a trusted shop to get the rear trailing arms replaced due to massive rust issues. During the replacement, there was a sensor or some sort of electric device in the rear diff that was reconnected to the system. Although trusted, my guy did not know what this sensor was for. The sensor in the diff was disconnected when he got under there, and during the trailing arm procedure he spliced the sensor back into the system.

I got the car back on Friday and have driven it maybe 20 miles since.

I started the car late tonight to come home and about a mile away from my starting point I realized I had no gauges. No tach, no speedo, no oil pressure, no temp, and no fuel. The only things working in the dash cluster were the clock and the blinker indicators. The headlight switch illumination was also out. Climate control and all other electric systems (idiot lights, interior lights) were seemingly fine.

I have yet to dig into the fuses, naturally that is the first place I want to look. But it is late, and I am tired. I thought I would throw this out to the community and see if anyone had a direction to point in. I also haven't searched within the community for this particular failure. Any and all help is appreciated.

Cheers,
T.P. Crockmier

[Usaguy]

The sensor in the diff is for the abs.

After the fuses I would pull the cluster and start checking for signals/resistance at the cluster plug. Of course you need a wiring diagram to do that so maybe someone will post a link since the startek website doesnt have that anymore

[T.P.Crockmier]

Originally Posted by christuna

The sensor in the diff is for the abs.

After the fuses I would pull the cluster and start checking for signals/resistance at the cluster plug. Of course you need a wiring diagram to do that so maybe someone will post a link since the startek website doesnt have that anymore

I've heard that the cluster isn't too bad to pull, but I'll be the first to admit that interior and electrical are not my strong points. This is also my daily so if pulling the cluster immobilizes the vehicle that is a different problem.

[T.P.Crockmier]

It was the fuse. I had some spares rolling around in the center console. This fuse hasn’t been an issue in the past so hopefully it was just age that made it burn out.