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#1
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Do Second-Gen Firebirds Have an Instrument Panel Voltage Regulator?
Over this past year, I've noticed that my temp gauge and my oil pressure gauge (on my '74) are reading slightly higher than they used to. For example, hot idle oil pressure reads closer to 30 psi than 20, and the temp is about one tick closer to the 210 mark.
I know a lot of cars have an IVR to limit gauge input to 5 volts or so, but I couldn't find one in a parts search for the Firebird. Thanks for any input!
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1974 Firebird Esprit 1953 Buick Special Riviera 1963 Riviera 1963 Thunderbird 1965 Mustang 1965 Skylark Sport Coupe 1965 Dart 170 Wagon 1965 Corvair Monza Convertible |
#2
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The only voltage regulator I am aware of is in the Alternator.
I would question how good your ground connection is at the battery or how good that overall cable is. A high resistance thru the circuit might cause the regulator in the Alt to pump out more voltage , also I guess your battery might be going south.
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Wernher Von Braun warned before his retirement from NASA back in 1972, that the next world war would be against the ETs! And he was not talking about 1/8 or 1/4 mile ETs! 1) 1940s 100% silver 4 cup tea server set. Two dry rotted 14 x 10 Micky Thompson slicks. 1) un-mailed in gift coupon from a 1972 box of corn flakes. Two pairs of brown leather flip flops, never seen more then 2 mph. Education is what your left with once you forget things! |
#3
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1974 Firebird Esprit 1953 Buick Special Riviera 1963 Riviera 1963 Thunderbird 1965 Mustang 1965 Skylark Sport Coupe 1965 Dart 170 Wagon 1965 Corvair Monza Convertible |
#4
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On the rear of one if not both heads is a braided ground strap that brings ground to the fire wall from the motor, and your instrument cluster main ground goes to the firewall as well.
I would also check both of those.
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Wernher Von Braun warned before his retirement from NASA back in 1972, that the next world war would be against the ETs! And he was not talking about 1/8 or 1/4 mile ETs! 1) 1940s 100% silver 4 cup tea server set. Two dry rotted 14 x 10 Micky Thompson slicks. 1) un-mailed in gift coupon from a 1972 box of corn flakes. Two pairs of brown leather flip flops, never seen more then 2 mph. Education is what your left with once you forget things! |
The Following User Says Thank You to steve25 For This Useful Post: | ||
#5
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I don't think I've checked the instrument panel ground, so I'll do that. I did a "voltage drop" test on the block to subframe grounds a couple years ago and they were good, but they're worth another look, too. Thank you!
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1974 Firebird Esprit 1953 Buick Special Riviera 1963 Riviera 1963 Thunderbird 1965 Mustang 1965 Skylark Sport Coupe 1965 Dart 170 Wagon 1965 Corvair Monza Convertible |
#6
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Braided ground strap is on the passenger side head to firewall.
The instrument cluster ground is just a little metal strap from the headlight switch to the instrument cluster housing mounting bolt, since the dash on 2nd gens is plastic where the cluster mounts it needs that ground strap to ground it... but I have had & seen clusters without the strap that still work ok for whatever reason. Verify the head & firewall dont have any paint where the ground strap mounts too. Usually a bad or compromised ground will cause the gauges to read lower since they arent getting a full connection as opposed to reading higher. If you haven't done it, try confirming the oil/temp readings with a known good mechanical gauge, maybe you have thicker oil than previously used causing a higher oil psi reading? |
#7
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Interessting..I have mechanical guage in the engine compartment and it reads higher that the instrument panel guage and the temp guage on the IP reads higher than my infrared temp gun.
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1979 Trans Am WS-6 .030 455 zero decked flat pistons 96 heads with SS valves 041 cam with Rhoads lifters 1.65 rockers RPM rods 800 Cliffs Q Jet on Holley Street Dominator ST-10 4 speed (3.42 first) w 2.73 rear gear __________________________________________________ _______________________________ 469th TFS Korat Thailand 1968-69 F-4E Muzzle 2 |
#8
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My infrared temp gun reads about 185-190 at idle, but it does rise at freeway speeds a bit, so it will be tough to measure. Looking at the gauge, I'd say it is in the 200* area on the highway, which isn't a problem, but like I said, it's a tick higher than it was last year.
I always use 10W30 Rotella and I don't change filter brands usually. I actually didn't change the oil this year - I usually change the oil every two years, because the cars generally get 1000 miles a year each on them or so.
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1974 Firebird Esprit 1953 Buick Special Riviera 1963 Riviera 1963 Thunderbird 1965 Mustang 1965 Skylark Sport Coupe 1965 Dart 170 Wagon 1965 Corvair Monza Convertible |
#9
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My infrared temp gun reads about 185-190 at idle, but it does rise at freeway speeds a bit, so it will be tough to measure. Looking at the gauge, I'd say it is in the 200* area on the highway, which isn't a problem, but like I said, it's a tick higher than it was last year.
I always use 10W30 Rotella and I don't change filter brands usually. I actually didn't change the oil this year - I usually change the oil every two years, because the cars generally get 1000 miles a year each on them or so.
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1974 Firebird Esprit 1953 Buick Special Riviera 1963 Riviera 1963 Thunderbird 1965 Mustang 1965 Skylark Sport Coupe 1965 Dart 170 Wagon 1965 Corvair Monza Convertible |
#10
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There is a flat white resistor bar on the back of these stock gauges they are color coded red, blue, green, and perhaps another color but never seen one changing / swapping those will give you a slightly different reading, perhaps to match the real engine readings if your sure which way to go
IE you have a mechanical reading of 160 water and you use a IR gun on your engine and it shows close to 160 but your dash is 200 change out one of these bars and adjust the dash down to reality and probably a regular electronics resistor would suffice if you get the right value but I've never tried that .
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If your not at the table you're on the menu A man who falls for everything stands for nothing. |
The Following User Says Thank You to Formulas For This Useful Post: | ||
#11
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#12
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My last post... https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=806789
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So long, farewell. |
#13
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#14
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That's what I get for just skimming the thread. As far as I know, there is no shunts in the cluster gauges.
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So long, farewell. |
#15
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this is the back of volts and fuel i dont have the main cluster avail to look at
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If your not at the table you're on the menu A man who falls for everything stands for nothing. Last edited by Formulas; 12-17-2023 at 10:10 AM. |
#16
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Main clusters dont have any resistors or voltage regulators. |
#17
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Ok so none originally at that spot
pretty sure those circuits could be altered in the same manner but i digress
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If your not at the table you're on the menu A man who falls for everything stands for nothing. |
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