electric circuit brd.for gauges

[Sally Ann Healy]

My 1976 440 rig is in the shop again.  They found burned wiring beneath the metal circuit brd. for the dash gauges.  They've called all over the Vancouver, Wa. & Portland, Or. area & can't find a replacement circuit brd.  Apparantly, they are the same on 1971-1977 Dodges; & I may have to buy the complete assembly, including the gauges (?)  I hope that I'm using the correct terminology for the part needed.  Anyway, the situation is pretty desparate at this time.  My cell phone is 360-607-5123, which I have with me, turned on at all times, & has voice mail.  Thx.  SAH #3165      

[mollerus]

Sally:  I had a similar if not identical problem. After I lubricated my speedometer cable all my gauges except the fuel gauge failed.  The printed circuit board for the lights and gauges connect to the wiring harness with multiple male pins that are only a press fit with the copper etched circuits on the circuit board.  The connector reminds me of old radio tube connectors. These pins become loose from the board when the female plug is removed or just with the rattling and vibration of time.  I purchased a complete spedo/instrument housing from a local junk yard for $10.00, removed the board and replaced mine while using all my instruments. The instument housing I believe came from a 1974 van and had the bonus of a metal, instead of a plastic casing.  I believe they used the same instument ciruit board on all 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton vans.  Use some electrical conductor paste as a lubricant on the pins to get a better connection and make it easier to seperate the connection without damage in the future.  Good luck.  Bob Mollerus ACOC 3197

[HPotter]

If the "burned wires" you refer to are the actual copper traces on the circuit board, and you replace the circuit board, they had better find the cause of the short that caused the problem first.
Mr. Mollerus is right-- the connector pins are simply press fitted to the copper traces. Just removing the connector is enough to break them loose with resulting loss of gauge readings. On my brother's Clipper, I soldered small wires into the hollow pins and soldered them to the traces. That was at least five years ago, and they still work fine.

Harold, #886

[Sally Ann Healy]

Thanks you both for your replies & information.  Bob also called today & spoke to me & then to the mechanic. They discussed a little box in the center of the circuit board that reduces the electricity that may have melted the wires, too.  The mechanic said that some of the male attachments had come loose & burned one part of the board. (I think that's what he said).   I'm a little more hopeful now.  It seems that the old Dodges are just simply crushed at the wrecking yards & not parted out.  I really want to go to the Evergreen Oct. camp out near here in Woodland, Wa. Thx, again.  SAH      

[mollerus]

Harold:
I'm interested in your soldering fix for the loose pins of the instrument panel circuit board.  I tried fixing one of these with a small machine screws and washers threaded into the pin from the back of the board but  that did not work as it distorted and expanded the pin  Did you have to prep the etched copper on the circuit board with flux?  Did you use a 25 watt soldering gun or what size?  Did you use plain or rosin tinned solder?  Did you use a heat sink to protect the rest of the board?  I've never done any circuit board soldering so I'm interested in your repair technique.  I also think a lot of other Clipper owners will eventually have to make this a repair and will benefit from your experience.  Bob Mollerus

[Sally Ann Healy]

Many thanks to Bob Mollerus.  He came down to Battleground last week to visit w/ family, & he stopped at a wrecking yard at Centralia or Chehalis exit & bought a whole gauges' panel for me.  Then he even delivered it to the auto shop.  I saw my old circuit board, & there was a burned gap along the copper circuit line at the bottom.  He said that it led to the headlights' high beam switch.  So,now it is all fixed & running ( along w/ 2 new back brake cylinders.)  He was so kind  & helpful, & gave me much input about my rig. I just hope that it'll be problem free for awhile so that I can make some short trips, at least. SAH