I DID IT...speedo cluster swap from a 79 to a bright and shiny 83!
 

Alright guys, I stepped out on a limb and it all came together. My 79 speedo was barely lit and the speedometer did not work. I found an 83 cluster in the junk yard here in Idaho...so sad to see it...but if something is dead, I guess we're supposed to circle it...right?

Anyway, the 79 has three plugs that are all 12 pin. The 83 has three plugs that are all 14 pin...I got a little scared at first...and at last..lol

I broke out the manuals and mapped out the electrical schematics of the circuit board...made it worse that I had never attempted to read anything like that before...lol

I labeled and cut all my wires according to their number on the plug and connected them to the 14 pin plugs and bingo! I have a fully functioning 83 160 MPH cluster in my 79 now and everything functions flawlessly...I even know I'm low on brake fluid now...hehe.

I'm going to try to figure out a way to post the pin to pin crossover to make the job easier for anyone else on here that wants to give it a go. AND...I've done it so I know that my notes work.

Just thought I'd let you guys know. Not sure if it's been done by one of you guys or not, but it was a breakthrough at my household, and I know alot of you out there have old dried up 78,79 clusters.

Oh, and I have been using a gps up to now to check my speed and today driving around, the new speedometer is spot on...and I mean exactly to the mile.

:)

That's huge! Not heard of that fix before. Congrats, this could work for others.

Very cool! Throw a copy of that x-over schem in the glove box. If you ever sell yhe car, could be confusing to the NO.

Wow. Awesome!

Great frankensteining!!

Very good, Pioneer.

Great idea Jim. No sense in anyone having to work backwards with one of these things.

I can't wrap my mind around ever getting rid of her though.

Here is a picture of the new speedo. I just started it up this morning when I took the picture so the guages all look dead and i'm out of gas, but you get the picture.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1361723731.jpg

If anyone has any good ideas on the best way to post the crossover to this website, please chime in. Can I upload an Excell document here?

Ok, I might need to dig deeper. The speedometer worked for about three days and then quit for a quick trip to the store...worked again on the way back....and then has not worked for the last two days...I'm trying to track down other reasons a speedo might not work. I did the whole swap because my original speedo was not working...come to think of it...it was intermittent as well, but was never accurate like this new one WAS...

Any ideas? I see something in the electrical schematics called a speedometer sensor. Any ideas where that may be hiding?

Other then that, everything is working perfectly with my swap and i know the speedometer was hooked up correctly because it worked like a charm until no worky at all.

check the connector in the trunk area, make sure it is making good contact.

I would also make sure that your connectors on your instrument pod are seated well.

Some of the pins are on the edge and if there is misalignment you will have problems.

mike

Isn't the speedo sensor in the rear of the gearbox, one wire and a clip....looks easy to get to.

Yup, sensor is mounted on the rear diff, pretty much upper center location. It's held down by a clip or something, then remove and clean real good. The Diff side as well. Mike and Ron have it right, those connectors at the trunk are also culprits.

Sweet, thanks guys. I've got another place to crawl under and feel for. I miss those places.

I'll check it out. ground and diff and let you guys know how it goes.

Here it is...to the right of the Dirt Daubers nest....lol...pic of mine the day I brought her home....


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1361982239.jpg

Ground for this ---behind quarter panel?

Was there a tech brief on the senders of this vintage?

Looks like you need brake pads and an alternator rebuild too..

Alan

Good eye!

Alternator is out of a junkyard because my old one stopped.

brake pad sensors are still zip tied to the gas tank straps until i figure that part of the project out.

She's movin though...

;)