flickering gauges

[gmbarker78]

I have a 79 Terra, the gauges come and go. I'm thinking it's probally a ground issue. Sometimes they just flick on/off and sometimes they stay on/off. Bumps also seem to influence these actions. My questions is where are the grounds I should check? I really don't want to pull the dash unless I have to.
Thanks, Gary

[Dennis Bernth]

The screws that mount the gauges in the dash are the grounds. If they're undersized, or loose, that could be the problem.

[scoutboy74]

Other problem areas on these My-T-Fyne instroomints are the ultra-frail pin connectors on the circuit boards where the plugs connect. They can get loose and wiggly. Also the retaining nuts that secure the gauge studs to the circuit boards can loosen over time. Time to tear that instrument panel apart! It's not that bad. Why, if Dennis and I had a dollar for every time we've done that job, we wouldn't be too old too work and to poor to quit!

[lev1a]

Edit................... Not pertaining to gauge lights... duh

[Allan E]

Most likely there is a loose wire feeding the CVR. The ground in this circuit comes through the sending unit. Since all are affected, it's very likely to be a loose hot feed somewhere.

[scoutboy74]

While you're in there that far, might as well gut all the gauge pod buckets and make a very simple, but very worthwhile upgrade. IH must have gotten a fantastic deal on sky blue paint. That's the only reason I can think of for why they painted those buckets that color. Some time back, a government subsidized research group...the name of which escapes me...did a double blind study regarding the reflective and refractive characteristics of that shade of blue. After years of meticulous research and billions of dollars spent, they concluded that sky blue doesn't really reflect incandescent light all that well. True story. So in "light" of that startling revelation, you may want to consider squirting some chrome, silver, or even white paint on the inside of those cans. I did, and the difference...well, let's just say it's night and day.

[Steven67fr]

I have had that problem as a result of the ignition key switch. It had to be in just the right position for the gauges to work. Changed the switch and problem was solved. (though, if your ammeter is affected as well, it probably isn't this) I very frustrating problem to figure out, since the first thought would be the gauges, grounds, and things immediately surrounding the gauges. Couldn't hurt to check.