Challenger electric ???

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Offline Milkmann

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Challenger electric ???
« on: December 08, 2010 - 09:08:05 PM »
My recently purchased 1974 Challenger is lacking oil pressure and temp gauges. They both work somewhat, but seem to only move about 1/2 what they should. Fuel gauge also never goes all the way to full, ammeter seems to work properly. Drove it a little tonight, mashed the throttle one last time before putting it away for winter and the tach went goofy-up to 8 grand when I stomped on it, then dropped back down to ~3-3500 even though the sound said the motor was spinning much faster. Then the headlights went out, but came back on in 2 seconds or so.

My first instinct is a bad dash ground, am I on the right track? Where is the ground for the dash located?




Offline Cooter

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Re: Challenger electric ???
« Reply #1 on: December 08, 2010 - 09:30:21 PM »
First off, I only leave the stock guages in the dash for appearance only...Electric guages are notorious for being inaccurate. With that said, I think the headlight thing is more than likely a dimmer switch going bad, causing the bi-metallic strip in the headlight switch to break contact like it should when there's a bad connection. (Circuit breaker)..

I'd go for the voltage regulator on the back of the instrument cluster first..Most times that is suspect..
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Offline Challenger6pak

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Re: Challenger electric ???
« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2010 - 09:59:52 PM »
I agree.  I would check the voltage limiter (regulator).  You have to pull the guages to get to it.  If it is bad and you continue to run the car it will burn out the guages by overloading them with too much voltage. 
1969 Sport Satellite H code convertible, 1970 Cuda 440+6, 1970 Challenger R/T 440+6, 1970 Challenger 383 R/T auto, 1970 Challenger R/T 383 4 speed,1971 Challenger convertible.

Offline dodj

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Re: Challenger electric ???
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2010 - 10:46:00 PM »
I'd go for the voltage regulator on the back of the instrument cluster first..Most times that is suspect..
:iagree: Gotta be it
Scott
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Offline Bullitt-

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Re: Challenger electric ???
« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2010 - 11:20:36 PM »
The voltage limiter could be good but not have a solid ground,(sorry I've seen pictures but can't describe) the gauges themselves get their grounds from their sending units any of which could be a problem but probably not all.
Tachometer works off full 12V, I'd check the connections starting with the negative terminal of the ignition coil.
Headlight issue could be as stated above, one of the problem areas is the floor dimmer switch & connector. Both of these items are available at any parts store.
 
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Offline Milkmann

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Re: Challenger electric ???
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2010 - 07:14:11 AM »
I'll put my boundless ignorance in full display here. Where is this voltage limiter? What does it look like? How do I get at it to change it?  :clueless:

Offline Slotts

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Re: Challenger electric ???
« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2010 - 08:32:23 AM »
Hey Milkmann,  :wave:

Welcome aboard to CC.com!

No worries, we all have to start somewhere.

The dash voltage limiter mounts to the back of the potmetal gauge frame. Here’s a picture of one.



I get mine from Redline Gauge Works.

First disconnect your battery, remove your light bar, switch panel and steering wheel. Then remove your steering column support and let it drop. That will give you some clearance to remove the gauge cluster.

Good luck!  :2thumbs:

Slotts

Offline Challenger6pak

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Re: Challenger electric ???
« Reply #7 on: December 09, 2010 - 05:40:46 PM »
Here are two pics of the limiter on the back of a cluster. This is a standard cluster.  It looks the same on a rallye cluster also.
« Last Edit: December 09, 2010 - 05:44:11 PM by Challenger6pak »
1969 Sport Satellite H code convertible, 1970 Cuda 440+6, 1970 Challenger R/T 440+6, 1970 Challenger 383 R/T auto, 1970 Challenger R/T 383 4 speed,1971 Challenger convertible.

Offline Milkmann

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Re: Challenger electric ???
« Reply #8 on: December 11, 2010 - 12:11:32 PM »
Thanks guys. Now I know where to look.

Snowing like crazy here today, I'll be plowing snow instead of wrenching.

Offline Challenger6pak

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Re: Challenger electric ???
« Reply #9 on: December 11, 2010 - 01:48:53 PM »
You're welcome to stop by here and thaw out.  It is 75 degrees and sunny at my place. 
1969 Sport Satellite H code convertible, 1970 Cuda 440+6, 1970 Challenger R/T 440+6, 1970 Challenger 383 R/T auto, 1970 Challenger R/T 383 4 speed,1971 Challenger convertible.