Re: Fuel gauge, clock and lights not working
Posted by 53 Cavalier On 2024/3/10 10:18:10
Congratulations on your 53 Clipper! I have a 53 Cavalier and I love it, so fun to drive and work on.
I agree with most all of the comments already provided, other than ignore your clock! LOL It certainly isn't a priority, but if you want it working and you already have it out, this is the TIME to fix it up. I like everything working on my car and fortunately all my clock needed was a fuse and a tap and away it went and has been running since I got my car a year ago. Ran all winter while the car was in storage too.
Fuel gauge. My float had a hole, so that could be your issue. Also the fuel gauge does not have it's own ground wire and sometimes the tank doesn't ground well to the car and can stop the fuel gauge from working. I added a ground wire on the advice of others. I also took my sending unit apart and cleaned it up, carefully!
In my dash I found that the contacts for my dash lights were a bit dirty, not always making good contact with the bulbs. I gave them just a little rub with some very fine sand paper. Might as well replace all your bulbs too, it will brighten up your dash a bit.
Careful not to scratch the paint on your dash or steering column while working on your instrument cluster.
Grounds in general can be a problem, especially if the car has been parked for a while. I found my front signal/park lights had grounding issues, which were solved by taking them apart and cleaning them up.
Have fun, and remember you car is 71 years old, be gentle!
Attach file:
20230330_211750.jpg (3,470.04 KB)
20230902_220043.jpg (3,642.74 KB)
20230901_160123.jpg (3,565.14 KB)
I agree with most all of the comments already provided, other than ignore your clock! LOL It certainly isn't a priority, but if you want it working and you already have it out, this is the TIME to fix it up. I like everything working on my car and fortunately all my clock needed was a fuse and a tap and away it went and has been running since I got my car a year ago. Ran all winter while the car was in storage too.
Fuel gauge. My float had a hole, so that could be your issue. Also the fuel gauge does not have it's own ground wire and sometimes the tank doesn't ground well to the car and can stop the fuel gauge from working. I added a ground wire on the advice of others. I also took my sending unit apart and cleaned it up, carefully!
In my dash I found that the contacts for my dash lights were a bit dirty, not always making good contact with the bulbs. I gave them just a little rub with some very fine sand paper. Might as well replace all your bulbs too, it will brighten up your dash a bit.
Careful not to scratch the paint on your dash or steering column while working on your instrument cluster.
Grounds in general can be a problem, especially if the car has been parked for a while. I found my front signal/park lights had grounding issues, which were solved by taking them apart and cleaning them up.
Have fun, and remember you car is 71 years old, be gentle!
Attach file:
20230330_211750.jpg (3,470.04 KB)
20230902_220043.jpg (3,642.74 KB)
20230901_160123.jpg (3,565.14 KB)
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