Gauges and turn signals just died

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Gauges and turn signals just died

July 20, 2017, 02:55:18 PM

I just started my '86 XR-7 and none of my electrical gauges are working (oil pressure, temp, amp and fuel) AND the turn signals won't work and everything was working fine this morning. I drove a little ways to a meeting so the car sat for about an hour and I was hoping everything would work when the car was restarted but, no such luck. Dash lights work, brake lights work and headlights work. Anyone have a clue?

Gauges and turn signals just died

Reply #1 – July 20, 2017, 03:25:45 PM

Ignition switch.

Gauges and turn signals just died

Reply #2 – July 20, 2017, 03:37:15 PM

Quote from: EricCoolCats;461870

Ignition switch.

Ignition switch is about a month old NOS Ford switch and everything but the gauges and turn signals works fine with it and have been since it was installed (accessory position, start position).

Gauges and turn signals just died

Reply #3 – July 20, 2017, 03:51:11 PM

Was the wiring to the ignition switch inspected? Harness end? Those are also known problem areas with melting, loose wires, etc.

Do the turn signals still sound (via the flasher pot) when you use them?
How about dash lighting, does that still work when you turn on the headlamp switch?

Might be a loose harness to the instrument cluster also, or maybe a bad flexible circuit board to it. Perhaps a bad IVR. It's really hard to tell over the Internet.

Gauges and turn signals just died

Reply #4 – July 20, 2017, 04:14:59 PM

Quote from: EricCoolCats;461872

Was the wiring to the ignition switch inspected? Harness end? Those are also known problem areas with melting, loose wires, etc.

Do the turn signals still sound (via the flasher pot) when you use them?
How about dash lighting, does that still work when you turn on the headlamp switch?

Might be a loose harness to the instrument cluster also, or maybe a bad flexible circuit board to it. Perhaps a bad IVR. It's really hard to tell over the Internet.

Thanks for the input. The dash lights work fine, the clock works fine (and dims when I turn on the lights). The turn signals do NOTHING - no light, no audible click. Just weird that the only things being effected are the electrical gauges and the turn signals.....grrr....

Gauges and turn signals just died

Reply #5 – July 21, 2017, 12:13:54 PM

+1 on the ignition switch/cable connector.
I am guessing this is a 2.3L Turbo.
Other things that should not be working; cruise control, back-up lights, HVAC blower and overboost buzzer.

If the engine cooling fan runs, it narrows the problem down to the cable harness connector. The fan uses the same switch position but a different external connector than the other stuff.

If the fan runs, the bad connector position has a Gray/red wire and the resister wire to the gauges.(I think it's black/light green)

Gauges and turn signals just died

Reply #6 – July 22, 2017, 03:32:27 PM

Ignition switch terminal locations:

Gauges and turn signals just died

Reply #7 – July 24, 2017, 09:32:27 AM

Quote from: softtouch;461883

+1 on the ignition switch/cable connector.
I am guessing this is a 2.3L Turbo.
Other things that should not be working; cruise control, back-up lights, HVAC blower and overboost buzzer.

If the engine cooling fan runs, it narrows the problem down to the cable harness connector. The fan uses the same switch position but a different external connector than the other stuff.

If the fan runs, the bad connector position has a Gray/red wire and the resister wire to the gauges.(I think it's black/light green)

Yep! 2.3L turbo!!
My cooling fan runs, I'm not sure about my reverse lights and it's an '86 so no overboost lights. I ordered the Ignition switch and a new connector for it from Rock Auto on Friday and they're supposed to be delivered today. Keeping my fingers crossed that these solve the problem. How hard are these going to be to get to to replace? I haven't dug all my repair manuals out yet because I afraid to look :O LOL

Gauges and turn signals just died

Reply #8 – July 24, 2017, 10:04:56 PM

Its not hard, especially if you have heads on the bolts to the ignition. My 86 tbird didn't, but i was able to get some small vice grips to bust them loose and thread then out by hand. Make sure you have a few good splices to go in there. The small wire, like really small, somehow has something to do with the guages. This is a single strand solid core wire so a splice doesn't really work. I soldered mine after verifying it worked by taping the wires together.

Everything else is pretty much plug and play. An hour at most if you drop the steering colum to help line up the colum trim.

Gauges and turn signals just died

Reply #9 – July 27, 2017, 09:02:55 AM

Thank you Eric, SoftTouch and Haystack!! Ignition switch has now been replaced (it fell apart when touched!!) and everything is back to normal!! You guys ROCK!!