Gauges went dead on me! • 2 • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **Moparman1972** » 14 Aug 2009 13:07

Well, how 'bout a big ol' rubber band to keep it together? :mrgreen:

by **Moparman1972** » 14 Aug 2009 13:09

dave-r wrote:The wipers not working is the confusing bit. They have their own connection on the bulkhead connector/fuse box and are not connected in any way I can think of with the gauges. The only common bit I can think of is the chassis.

So I would be making sure the dash and instrument panel metalwork has a good connection to chassis before pulling wires.

All of the things not working went through the ignition, by the way. Wipers, radio, gages, have to have the key on.

by **Goldenblack440** » 15 Aug 2009 12:20

A common problem with many Chrysler electricals is a poor earth behind the inst panel to chassis

by **drewcrane** » 15 Aug 2009 15:14

Goldenblack440 wrote:A common problem with many Chrysler electricals is a poor earth behind the inst panel to chassis

,

yes i agree, how ever he says he has a problem with the gang plug in the steering column

by **Goldenblack440** » 16 Aug 2009 8:22

Sorry, looks like my 2c worth of general comment is worth about 1 Rupee now.

by **drewcrane** » 16 Aug 2009 14:02

Goldenblack440 wrote:Sorry, looks like my 2c worth of general comment is worth about 1 Rupee now.

mine too!

by **Rizrtse** » 17 Aug 2009 15:45

Everyone, thanks for your comments here. I taped off the connector to the steering column to limit movement and it has been ok. I guess the real fix is to cut the connector out and replace the 8 or so wires directly together and buypass it. We all this will be an intermittent issue and their is no way I am going to replace the connector when I can just cut it out. Be well.

by **drewcrane** » 17 Aug 2009 17:34

Rizrtse wrote:Everyone, thanks for your comments here. I taped off the connector to the steering column to limit movement and it has been ok. I guess the real fix is to cut the connector out and replace the 8 or so wires directly together and buypass it. We all this will be an intermittent issue and their is no way I am going to replace the connector when I can just cut it out. Be well.

you can and need to replace that harness, with a new harness, i wouldnt do a splice, just my opinion,my origonal caught on fire

by **dave-r** » 17 Aug 2009 17:43

Rizrtse wrote:Everyone, thanks for your comments here. I taped off the connector to the steering column to limit movement and it has been ok. I guess the real fix is to cut the connector out and replace the 8 or so wires directly together and buypass it. We all this will be an intermittent issue and their is no way I am going to replace the connector when I can just cut it out. Be well.

Is this a connector that has had new wires installed in it at some point?

If so I refer you to the suggestion I made regarding the metal inserts inside the connector. If one side of the insert is not pushed all the way into the plastic block you will get the problem you describe. The two halves of the metal contacts are not engaging fully.

Either that or one of the wires is comming out of its insert.

Whatever the problem is it will not go away and the bad connection will eventually burn out.

by **Rizrtse** » 17 Aug 2009 18:14

no new wires added and the connector is so tight it cant be split apart so I assume most everything is tight inside...the wires going into those metal connectors feel very secure as well. I am afraid pulling it apart with any more force than my kung fu grip allows will cause more damage to both ends and then I have 2 harnesses that need to be replaced. I do have some some very slight brown marks through the plastic connector on the power (black) line...thats probably is the start of the burn issue you state.

by **Moparman1972** » 17 Aug 2009 23:41

VERY bad!! You will have worse problems if you do not fix it now. Pry it apart and look very carefully at it. Take pictures. Post them. You do not want to let this go without fixing it.