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1978 van instrument cluster fuse vs 15 amp breaker fuse
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twaynej
New User
Aug 27, 2014, 11:06 AM
Post #1 of 6
(2110 views)
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1978 van instrument cluster fuse vs 15 amp breaker fuse
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Okay folks
first off I'm new to this forum I have searched and haven't really found the answer to my question. I'm a quadriplegic but before my accident I considered myself an above average shade tree mechanic! I now have a 1978 Chevy handicap Van. The instrument gauge fuse keep blowing. It used to be every few months now it's any were from a day or two. The fuses that were in it were 15 A. I purchased a GM style 15 amp breaker fuse I wonder if any of you can see any downside of using it until the guilty sensor or short finally my mechanic friends can find it. They have check different ones but when something like this intermittently happens you guys know how difficult it is to find. I don't think I would be doing any damage these breakers as I understand it kick back on when they cool off. And I don't think there is any power going to the instrument panel unless the ignition switch is either on or in the accessory mode.
Any cautions or suggestions on a common place to look for the guilty short would be appreciated. I can't see any downside of using a breaker it should not be a fire hazard without the ignition been on.?
Would greatly appreciate any input
thanks Wayne
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 27, 2014, 11:10 AM
Post #2 of 6
(2104 views)
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Re: 1978 van instrument cluster fuse vs 15 amp breaker fuse
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I don't see a problem with that.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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twaynej
New User
Sep 6, 2014, 6:49 AM
Post #3 of 6
(2057 views)
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Re: 1978 van instrument cluster fuse vs 15 amp breaker fuse
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I thank you for your reply. I tried another used instrument cluster. But it's still shot the fuse after about an hour the temperature gauge did not work in this cluster
so I now have my original one back in. All the gauges seems to work normally, oil pressure gauge, fuel gauge, battery voltage temperature gauge that is all I believe is on cluster.
Anyway I was hoping someone might know of sending units might be of common weakness in the 1978 GM years.
I thought most of these sending units worked on resistance to ground at the sending unit.
Thanks again
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 6, 2014, 7:41 AM
Post #4 of 6
(2054 views)
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Re: 1978 van instrument cluster fuse vs 15 amp breaker fuse
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Wayne - sorry for your troubles and solving this long term with now a very old vehicle and whatever was customized to be a handicap vehicle on top.
Just a thought and idea of a place to check as it seems ONE short takes out all of the cluster so I would rule out the senders for things all at once even possible.
I know you'll need a helper to check but it was this body of GM van just a bit newer but a long time ago would cut things out totally and could come back like described.
I can only guess 1979 is similar to the early 80s one that was doing odd stuff. Problem was found at the rubber block on engine side firewall to back of fuse box which was inside (I think the same for a '79) is a bunch of spade type connections right there originally pasted with like a butter type grease that would get crusty if ever looked at later much newer than this is now with excessive heat in the cramped engine area just failed to make connections properly up to allowing moisture in there.
Can't know for this exact vehicle but is or was a problem spot. May not be that at all but the fix was a check in between there and regreasing it with dialectic grease on hand as it was a road call for me back when and what I had. Never heard of it failing again and know the owner still.
That one didn't blow fuses but rather lost power to interior things but could have just as easily been shorting in between with this type of problem possible. I vaguely recall just one bolt held that rubber block to firewall and back of fuse box inside to look for corrosion now and power being crossed up.
No clue if that is found in terrible shape if or where you could replace stuff or make up something and keep most of it. Keep things fused and on a breaker of course but might get stuck to be a creative but proper repair to end this problem,
T
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twaynej
New User
Jul 4, 2015, 7:42 AM
Post #5 of 6
(1648 views)
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Re: 1978 van instrument cluster fuse vs 15 amp breaker fuse FIXED!
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Chevy Van 1978 instrument cluster use blowing fixed!
I know this post is old because I'm the original poster. I want to thank those that replied back when. I got to together with an old friend of mine to have some other things fixed the gas tank had to be removed because of old rotten lines needed replacing also had a rear brake line seeping, rear heater was shot found a good one at salvage yard. Anyway when all this was done my friend said he needed a challenge so started looking at the fuse situation.
He checked the fuse block where it mounted out to the fire wall surprisingly it still looked good. Cleaned it up put some more dielectric grease and put it back on. The main wires through the bulkhead connector, the bulkhead connector had one screw had rusted so bad it practically fell off. Cleaned everything up good back on she went. Now to try instrument fuses again. My buddy called me and said that took care of it. A few minutes later he called back said no joy it blew again he got noticing each fuse blew when the automatic gear selector moved. I couldn't think of any wires that where in the steering column except the turn signals which still were lit in the cluster when you use them they are not on same fuse. Anyway he said he was going to remove the cover a round the steering column. About a half-hour later he come driving in and said it was fixed. Threw down a short short piece of twin lead wire with a tiny lightbulb about the size of a 22 bullet. It turns out the plastic holder for light was broken and it had dropped down and was shorting
aganist shifting Rod linkage. Evidently this lightbulb lets a light reflect up to the clear transmission indicator where the little indicator points at the P. D, N L etc. I had no ideal there it was ever backlite to start with anyway for anyone that stumbled across this post in the future it might be helpful. You can also pack your self on the back if you thought of this before you read it.
Happy fourth of July
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 4, 2015, 10:15 AM
Post #6 of 6
(1645 views)
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Re: 1978 van instrument cluster fuse vs 15 amp breaker fuse FIXED!
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Good find. I recall those projector lights at the cheapo indicator for shifter. Didn't know they could fall down or what? Seems like problem is found and fixed so far. Old thread but tell us it that ends the problem with some use.
You said it's handicapped equipped and can totally understand keeping one at great age now if basically still a good running van and could be.
Happy forth to you too,
Tom
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