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Topic: All dash gauges are out. (Read 581 times) previous topic - next topic

All dash gauges are out.

I have recently purchased a 1986 FTX and all of my gauges just quit working a long with my docking lights. I lifted the dash a replaced some bad fuses, but those were not for the dash gauges and docking light. We grounded across the gauges and got them to jump, but no luck with the light. We can not figure out if it is a fuse, which we doubt bc we replaced everyone that we could find under the dash, or if it a bad ground or what it might be. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

Re: All dash gauges are out.

Reply #1 –
Have a look at the light/dimmer control, this obviously controls the gauge lights and the driving lights only work when low beam is selected. Hope this helps with your search.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: All dash gauges are out.

Reply #2 –
All of the dash lights are working, just the docking lights are out. The gauges are not working, no fuel gauge, no speedometer, no tachometer, no oil pressure, no temperature, etc. Sorry for not being more clear about that.

Re: All dash gauges are out.

Reply #3 –
Hmm...  we lost all gauges on the 86 digital dashboard for our Grand Villa a few months ago.  We checked all fuses that were identified but all good.  We wonder ALSO if a common ground was the issue...

Tach, Fuel, speed, Voltage, Temp all dead... we have aftermarket analog gauges for temp and oil pressure ... we have been using a speedometer APP for mileage so we can plan our fuel stops.  The photo attached is the working version...

We will follow your discussion and Q & A to see if we can solve our similar issue

1986 Grand Villa, 454 Chevrolet, 33 SBI tag axle
Build # 2658
2nd owner, original owner was Newman/Freeman Racing, racer Bill Freeman and actor/racer Paul Newman

Re: All dash gauges are out.

Reply #4 –
Not sure about your vintage but on mine that happened when the ignition solenoid on the dash failed. Lots of articles on here about them. Looks like a fender mounted starter solenoid like on an old pick up but made for constant duty.
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: All dash gauges are out.

Reply #5 –
Quote from: its toby –
Not sure about your vintage but on mine that happened when the ignition solenoid on the dash failed. Lots of articles on here about them. Looks like a fender mounted starter solenoid like on an old pick up but made for constant duty.
Any photo of what we need to look for " under the hood" ?

1986 Grand Villa, 454 Chevrolet, 33 SBI tag axle
Build # 2658
2nd owner, original owner was Newman/Freeman Racing, racer Bill Freeman and actor/racer Paul Newman

Re: All dash gauges are out.

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Subsilked –
Any photo of what we need to look for " under the hood" ?



For later models it is 3 or 4 pole - like this one: Amazon.com: Cole Hersee 24213 12V 200A Continuous Solenoid: Automotive 

Yours is "probably" the same, and under your dash somewhere.
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Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide