Dash problem

[blown motor]

Just replaced the dash pad and now the oil, fuel and heat gauges don't work. The amp gauge does but I have no dash lights or horn. Where do I start looking?

[Haddixj]

Check for loose or missing grounds Would be where I would want to start

[burdar]

There is one screw that has to have a good ground in order for the gauges to work.  It is on the left side of the dash and holds the switch panel inplace.  Look up under the switch panel on the left side and you'll see the screw.  Make sure there is no paint buildup under that screw.

[blown motor]

Darren, are you referring to one of the four screws that hold the switch bezel? Which one? Do you have a picture?

[burdar]

On the right hand side in this pic....inside the black circle.(not the red circle)

  http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/upload2/7731262-HeaterControlPanel_Back_Bracket_Annotate_zpsbd40888f.jpg

[blown motor]

Thanks. Great shot.

[Chryco Psycho]

the 3 gauges are powerd by the voltage reg , sound like either the black power wire is off or the wire from the reg to the gauges is off

[blown motor]

So now the horn works, not sure why.

Dash lights came on tonight when I slammed the glove box door shut. Must be a groung issue because there's power to the lights.

CP, just to be clear, you're saying the guages are powered by the voltage reg which is on the firewall in the engine compartment? What are you referring to as the black power wire? Sorry, I'm not real knowledgeable on all this stuff yet but I'm learning. Does the wire from the reg to the guages go through a bulk head connector?

[publicbottle]

No, he is referring the the voltage regulator on the back of the instrument cluster. It takes system voltage 12? Down to 5v for the gauges. I have seen posts that showed how to build a new one if your is shot...just do a search.

Your problem sounds like a bad connection or a ground issue to me too

[dodj]

So now the horn works, not sure why.

Dash lights came on tonight when I slammed the glove box door shut. Must be a groung issue because there's power to the lights.

CP, just to be clear, you're saying the guages are powered by the voltage reg which is on the firewall in the engine compartment? What are you referring to as the black power wire? Sorry, I'm not real knowledgeable on all this stuff yet but I'm learning. Does the wire from the reg to the guages go through a bulk head connector?

Dash lights ground through the mounting screws into the dash frame. The screw Darren mentioned is important for the switch panel but the gauge cluster gets it's ground through the four main mounting screws into the dash frame. If you painted that area it could give you problems, or as CP said, the regulator on the back side of the gauges. Did the gauges start working when you slammed the glove box door?

[Jesus H Chrysler]

Dash lights ground through the mounting screws into the dash frame. The screw Darren mentioned is important for the switch panel but the gauge cluster gets it's ground through the four main mounting screws into the dash frame. If you painted that area it could give you problems, or as CP said, the regulator on the back side of the gauges. Did the gauges start working when you slammed the glove box door?

That's exactly what I was going to say.  You might be able to test this by removing one of the main attaching bolts that holds the dash assembly to the body of the car and scrape some paint away.  Give it a good connection and see if that fixes the problem.

[blown motor]

The gauges did not start working when I slammed the glove box door. The only painting we did was at the base of the windshield along where the four bolts attach that you install through the defroster ducts. I don't think that should affect anything as the dash should still have good steel on steel contact where it bolts on at the sides under the kick panels.

[dodj]

The gauges did not start working when I slammed the glove box door. The only painting we did was at the base of the windshield along where the four bolts attach that you install through the defroster ducts. I don't think that should affect anything as the dash should still have good steel on steel contact where it bolts on at the sides under the kick panels.

, but I was talking about the four screws that mount the gauge cluster.

[blown motor]

, but I was talking about the four screws that mount the gauge cluster.

Ya I realized that. Thanks for the info. I'll have to pull the gauge cluster and check it all out. Maybe tomorrow.

[blown motor]

Took the dash apart today and guess what. The wire was off the voltage regulator. Every thing works now and I learned a little more about my car. Thanks to everyone who chipped in with advice. It's much appreciated and the reason this is such a great sight.