Tried doing a search on this, but none of the previous posts were very specific to what I need. Yesterday I was getting the AM/FM radio out of my 72 GS 350 parts car and noticed that it also had the ralley gauges (or whatever they're called). I started to take the instrument cluster out and had to unplug the harness from the back of the gauges. One of the pins broke off and all the rest are loose. I don't know if these gauges work or not, but I think they'd look cool in my 70 GS, so they're worth trying to fix. Should I take it apart and try to solder them back on, or is the problem worse than this? There is corrosion on the back (probably explain why the pins are breaking off) and you can hear something moving around inside, so I figure maybe send these out and have them fixed. Who is a reputable istrument rebuilder and what will it cost?? OPG sells them for $380. If its going to cost that much, I'll either buy that or forget about it altogether. BTW...the one screw that goes from the top of the instrument surround to the dash just spins in my 70 GS. Anyone have a solution as to get this screw out without screwing up the dash or surround.
Joe, you could try this guy out http://www.tachman.com/ I had him upgrade my factory tach. a few years ago. He was slow but did good work.
Joe- I've 'transplanted' pins before. Essentially I have taken out loose pins and installed replacements. A teensy machine screw in the back end of the 'new' pin expands the pin and holds it firmly in place. It was a quick fix but I never had to improve on it. I was nervous about soldering and this seemes to work long-term
If you are not comfortable with soldering take it to a local electronics shop. They can do a great job for very small cost. I "sturdied" one of mine with a paper clip segment inside. It was soldered in & became part of the pin. Once the pins are secured you can then take it apart. Very easy to renovate inside. Baby blue spray paint. Could be anything bouncing around inside. Dust, dirt.....who knows. Lots of patience. Pay attention on how the three resistors on the back are secured. One, water I think, will go on two ways. Only the original position is correct. You might smoke it if it's on wrong. Patience.
Joe, the parts place sells the rally gauge pack for 239.00 if you can't fix it. Don't forget once you repair that one or get a new one, you will need to re-arrange the wire harness connectors on your non gauge car. www.buickperformance.com shows how and which wires go where.Easy to do. You will also need new sending units. Have fun!! later Tim
Where did you get your replacement pins?? Or are these donors from other gauges? If so, where did you get your machine screws? This sounds like the best option for me, cause the pins are what my problem is. I have the 6" adapter from the main wiring harness to the gauges, so no rearranging wires needed. I think its dirt or rust rattling around inside. I put the harness adapter on with the one pin installed. Looks like I can just leave it that way cause it connects to the copper on the circuit board, but it is loose. Still think I should re-pin it or solder it though. My uncle had a jeweler redo his speedo from his 88 Monte SS. He did a good job, but a speedo maybe altogether different from what I need.
Al Bell specializes in reconditioned clocks and guages so you might contact him e-mail: buickpts@comcast.net or call 941-927-3588
What I did was took an old hacked up wiring harness and cut the cluster wiring plug off so I could put the loose pin into it and adjust it so it was touching on the gauge where it belonged.I used a pencil type soldering iron and solder that you can get at any Radio Shack or electronic repair store.It was a whole lot easier than my first attempt of trying to locate the pin by using tape to hold it still.Only took a few minutes with the plastic plug idea. Pat
I got the pins from old destroyed gauges from a couple wrecks. I did my speedo pinsm, two or three were loose. I figured hey, it already didn't work, so what did I have to lose? Broke the fiberboard so as not to damage the pins, then strightened the ends with a teensy pair of pliers and I used a pin vise with a small drill bit to get my damaged pins out of the "good" gauge the machine screws were just ones I had around, smaller than 2-56. I forget the actual size but it's small
Well, looking at it more and more, it should really be rebuilt. I didn't want to go through with the expense, but it'd be better off. The back has alot of surface rust on it and I can see alot of corrosion. I don't know if the thing works anyway, it'd be nice to know they do. I'll call one or all of the people mentioned above. BTW...noone touched on it, but how should I go about getting that screw out of my dash that holds the instrument surround on?? I tried putting a thin putty knife in there hoping the threads would catch. Didn't work though. I'm up for suggestions.
