No Idiot lights

[87we410877]

I have no idiot lights (batt, cooling temp, etc.etc) except for fasten seat belt. Checked the 5 amp fuse that says inst lps and it's ok but I have no power to either terminal in that fuse receptacle. Any ideas?

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

Check the GAUGES fuse (20 A), that one provides power to most of the idiot lights. The issue could also be an improperly seated cluster connector or tarnish on the flex panel connections.

The INST LPS fuse is for the dash lights that provide illumination and are dimmed via the dimmer switch. No power on the fuse is normal unless the lights are on.

RemoveBeforeFlight

 

[87we410877]

I also do not think I am charging as I have the same voltage running as off. New battery and alternator. Maybe the gauges not working is the issue. I read somewhere here if the battery light isn't on or the bulb is bad, the car won't charge.

Gauges fuse is ok. I'll check connections to the panel.

Thanks!!

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

Charging, yes, at key-on, engine-off the volts light needs to be on. If not the battery won't get charged. This too could be caused by the cluster connector.

Best bet for the charging issue is to get Casper's field fix kit. With it there is no need to the volts light to work. John put it together because of the so many times with these cars not charging the battery. If you are decent with soldering and wiring there are some other things that can be done.

RemoveBeforeFlight

 

[87geeinn]

Did you have the dash apart recently, such as replacing speedo cable, etc? Did all the lights go out all at once or one at time and were working fine prior? If so, the ribbon connections aren't seated properly. Basically, same as what Bob said in that post up there^.

 

[novaderrik]

turn the key on, but don't start the engine.. push in on the cluster... if the lights come on, then you've got a bad connection..

the proper fix is to pull the cluster out and clean the contacts... on mine, i used a soft rubber pencil eraser followed by rubbing alcohol on a Q tip on all of the contacts on the cluster and plug.. then i bent all the tabs up just a little bit to get a more secure contact.. did it 10 years ago and everything still works.

this is pretty much free and uses stuff you have laying around the house, should take an hour or so from the time you start to the time you finish.

 

[87we410877]

I'll try this tomorrow. Sounds like a cluster issue. I did not have it apart but i havnt owned the car very long Who knows what may have been done.

 

[novaderrik]

i don't think my cluster was ever out until i took it out to fix the contacts.. this was in 2004, so it was 20 years old at that time..
i figured this out because i thought my alternator was toast because it didn't charge when running, but it didn't charge even after swapping in a CS style alternator... then i noticed that the light in the dash didn't come on... i wiggled the cluster around and it popped on, then went off again.. so i pulled it out and fixed everything up..

 

[87we410877]

Yup that was it!! Pushed the cluster in and volts went from 11.5 to 13.5. All lights work now key on engine off. Thanks again!!! What a dumb design. Hats off once again Buick lol