No power to gauges and lights after dash installation

[Nded]

I just put my restored flat dash with Frampton serviced gauges back into my 1966 SPL311-00054. The Amp Meter works, all the other small gauges seem dead (Temp, Oil, Clock, and Gas), along with no turn signals, brake lights, headlights, wiper movement, or fog lights).

In Post #4, you say the wipers are working, correct?

What about the horn and heater?

Wipers work. Horns were not working originally. I haven't tackled them yet. I never tried the heater before (I live in Florida).

I do recall a heavy short happened when I pulled the heater/radio console.

Can you elaborate on this? Does this mean you still had the battery connected when you were removing the dash to get the gauges out to send to Frampton?

The gauges and dash were not in the car, just the center console, which shorted, likely the Cig Lighter wire.

Did you have the gauges modified for LED lighting?

No, Frampton never mentioned that option. I have stuck with the analog filaments.

[Nded]

Please note that I have marked the fuse box on either side as spots 1~8. Spots 5-8 are the harness wires. It should be noted that spot 1 has no wires attached. Should something be there?

I have observed that when the dash LIGHTS switch is in position 1, the lower rear red lights are ON, as are the front amber lights. If I flip the LIGHTS switch all the way up, these lights go off.

I decided my Radio Shack multimeter was not up to the task, so I picked up an automotive DC tester on Amazon. Here are my results at the fuse box.

Test 1 - Motor OFF, tester attached to battery POS in search of NEG.

13V. 1 | 5. 13V
13V. 2 | 6. 13V
0V. 3 | 7. 0V
0V. 4 | 8. 0V

Test 2 - Motor ON, tester attached to battery POS in search of NEG.

0V. 1 | 5. 0V
0V. 2 | 6. 14V
0V. 3 | 7. 0V
0V. 4 | 8. 0V

Test 3 - Motor OFF, tester attached to battery NEG in search of POS.

0V. 1 | 5. 0V
0V. 2 | 6. 0V
13V. 3 | 7. 13V
13V. 4 | 8. 13V

Test 4 - Motor ON, tester attached to battery NEG in search of PIS.

0V. 1 | 5. 14V
14V. 2 | 6. 0V
14V. 3 | 7. 14V
14V. 4 | 8. 14V

[Nded]

One more observation. When the LIGHTS switch is in the 1 position, the license plate lamp lights up.

[redroadster]

Disconnect the battery and test ohms
Esp on the fuses

[Nded]

Disconnect the battery and test ohms
Esp on the fuses

Can you describe the ohm test process, specifically what to test, how to test, and desired results?

[Curtis]

Fuse box looks like crap. Did you see my PM? We probably need to talk on phone.

[ppeters914]

Fuse box looks like crap. Did you see my PM? We probably need to talk on phone.

Curtis beat me to it. I'll also be blunt. Seriously? Unless that's a bad picture, that fuse box and connections are a total mess. It's a miracle any electricity is flowing. And if the connections from the wiring harness to your newly restored gauges are of similar condition, you're in for more "this don't work" issues.

First thing you need to do is disconnect the battery, label those fuse box wires so you can reconnect them properly, then disconnect and clean.

I'll add some pics of a proper fuse box in a bit to help.

[ppeters914]

Pictures as promised. Sorry that they're rotated 90-degrees due to the forum's software quirky way of handling pictures. However, they're in the correct orientation if you click on them plus you can zoom in to see the detail.

This is after 15 minutes with a Dremel. Notice that I got the insides of the fuse holders. Granted, mine wasn't in bad shape to begin with. Still, you get the idea.
.
Top

20240626_130714 (Large).jpg

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Bottom. Now you see why the top fuse appears to only have one wire.

20240626_130731 (Large).jpg

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Top with screws

20240626_131150 (Large).jpg

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Top with screws and fuses

20240626_131721 (Large).jpg

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Close up of fuse holders

20240626_131220 (Large).jpg

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Inside of fuse box cover

20240626_131856 (Large).jpg

.

Hope this helps.

[Nded]

Thanks guys! I will pull the fuse box for some R&R.

[Solex68]

Soak it in vinegar and it will clean up nicely. Try not to wire brush it clean, I think that will make it corrode faster. An overnight vinegar soak will do wonders.

[devo]

Soak it in vinegar and it will clean up nicely. Try not to wire brush it clean, I think that will make it corrode faster. An overnight vinegar soak will do wonders.

+1, White Vinegar

[ppeters914]

Soak it in vinegar and it will clean up nicely. Try not to wire brush it clean, I think that will make it corrode faster. An overnight vinegar soak will do wonders.

Yes, that would be better because it would get all the nooks and crannies. However, that fuse box may take several days, changing the solution daily and using an old toothbrush in between.

I only suggested the Dremel/wire brushing as it was the fastest option.

[Nded]

All wires double marked.



The full baptism began about 4 hours ago.

[Nded]

I took out after 3 hours, scrubbed it a little, then put it back in the pool. Will revisit tomorrow.

[Solex68]

Mine came out like new in 24 hours.