[bhill86]

Originally Posted by johnta1

It's an orange wire but doesn't go to harmonica. Looks like it eventually goes to ignition switch. It branches off a cluster of orange wires.

If you’re referring to that “digital clock” plug that’s not for the clock in the tach. In fact, it’s not used in f bodies. The clock wire does terminate in the harmonica.

[johnta1]

I didn't see another clock in the schematics which is for 1981 Firebird?
Anyway. I'd imagine the power for the clock would be orange anyway. Full time power. Probably a tan wire for a light if there is one in it.

[bhill86]

Yea it should be orange or orange with a stripe. Do you have a diagram with the harmonica terminals and the various circuits listed? I don’t have an 81 manual and only have an 80 diagram that doesn’t include the harmonica. I do have an aftermarket dash wiring document that shows a clock wire though. I’m not sure how else it would be powered.

[4dblnkldude]

I’m not sure how else it would be powered.[/QUOTE]

Last night I tested every circuit on the cluster. I can get everything to work but the clock.

[bhill86]

Do you have a photo of your printed circuit?

[johnta1]

Ok, this is a wild @ss guess on my part.



On other years (1980?) the connector for '140' was for the clock.
There is no '140' on the gauges connector?
BUT, there is a '140' (somewhere?) that has a few connections most orange wires.


Look at section above fuse box and see if you know where that is?


Of course pic is really fuzzy.



Try this link:

http://wallaceracing.com/1981%20Overall.jpg

[bhill86]

Originally Posted by 4dblnkldude

I’m not sure how else it would be powered.

Last night I tested every circuit on the cluster. I can get everything to work but the clock.[/QUOTE]

Also, when you say you tested every circuit on the cluster, what do you mean by that? How did you accomplish that? It’s possible (and not uncommon) for the clock itself to be non functional.

If you post a picture of the rear of your cluster I can probably help you.

[ta6point6]

Check out hogheads page a lot of good info there but more then likely the clock needs to be opened and lubed. The quartz clocks usually work no matter what, you can tell the quartz clocks because it says it underneath the clock.
https://www.firebirdtransamparts.com/

[4dblnkldude]

Originally Posted by bhill86

Last night I tested every circuit on the cluster. I can get everything to work but the clock.

Also, when you say you tested every circuit on the cluster, what do you mean by that? How did you accomplish that? It’s possible (and not uncommon) for the clock itself to be non functional.

If you post a picture of the rear of your cluster I can probably help you.[/QUOTE]

I tested with a battery and jumper wire to each gold tab. I'll see if I can get a picture up tonite.

[bhill86]

Ok. More likely than not, as mentioned, the clock just needs lubricated. My car is a 77 with the electromechanical clock but I have a 79 cluster that has the updated tach and quartz clock and the clock didn’t work. I took it apart and cleaned it and it works now. That’s probably why your clock isn’t working.

[4dblnkldude]

I did a little repinning with some help from a friend and somehow the clock is working...

[4dblnkldude]

Thanks to everyone here. After probably 30-40 hours of diagnosing, cleaning switches and connections everything works except the pass power window, which I have not looked at yet. I also did alot of standing and looking, thinking, and pretending I'm 12 volts. LOL. One thing that particularly drove me nuts was the trunk light. I thought it was operated with the jamb switches. After looking at BHill's diagram at the switch itself looked like something we use in HVAC. The plug that the trunk light was in had power all the time..hmmm. No switch o wait! No effing way it has mercury in it! I stared at it for probably an hour and half.

[Shiny]

Originally Posted by 4dblnkldude

... I also did a lot of standing and looking, thinking, and pretending I'm 12 volts. LOL....

Had to laugh at this one, thanks.

[Red80TA]

Originally Posted by 4dblnkldude

One thing that particularly drove me nuts was the trunk light. I thought it was operated with the jamb switches. The plug that the trunk light was in had power all the time..hmmm. No switch o wait! No effing way it has mercury in it! I stared at it for probably an hour and half.

Firebird trunk lamp components assembly (1) by Ben, on Flickr


The pre-quartz clocks used mechanical contacts that wore out on the tips, and probably elsewhere. As Brian said, sometimes they just don't work anymore. Other times they may free up and have dust in them, but only a matter of .... um, time.

As probably also mentioned, there's the Quartz rebuild kits to suit early clocks. If your tacho works then the clock kit is likely the way to go. If tacho not so good, the replacements come with new clock. Just remember that you need to use the 70-78 style round tacho housing at the rear if looking for parts, the quartz type changed shape to that oval with flats and the inners don't swap with early models. The reproductions still only fit the early style but have updated mechanisms. Or you could try your luck many several used tachos and used clocks like we used to do and see if any work. I have a collection of them now, hard to sell though, being honest when saying they don't work, unlike when you bought them and simply said untested or worked when removed, they knew!

[4dblnkldude]

I want to thank everyone who responded, some of you went above and beyond with phones calls and sending info to my email. The last thing i did was the power window on the pass side. that was easy. Thank you!