mk1 gauge problems

[mike54]

my temp and fuel gauges working however as i was driving both gauge needles dropped to zero now nothing raises up so i dont know h0w much petrol is in the tank what happened ? how can i remedy it. thanks

[GRN_VAGN]

as both died at same time, id assume its something to do with the cluster.
Cause the temp sender and fuel sender are at opposite ends of car

Other then that i dont know, i dont think there is a relay or anything to control them.

[Jarred]

there is a voltage regulator that controls the function of both of the gauges, it's on the back of the instrument cluster. COuld be that.

[GRN_VAGN]

is that the bit with 3 prongs and a screw to hold it down? or am i thinking of the old corolla dashes? cant remember

[paulie71]

Agree that it sounds like the Voltage Regulator. Get yourself a new one (they aren't that dear from memory) and replace by removing the instrument cluster. Be careful with the printed circuit sheets as they tend to weaken with age.

[Jarred]

yep, that's the one.

I'm sure having a quick search show net a few posts with pics about it, and it's replacement etc..

[GRN_VAGN]

be carefull with the prongs, some douche didnt screw mine down before i got it, so a wire from the headunit somehow wrapped around it and when i went to pull it out it snapped the regulator off... i just swapped to spare cluster i had.

Pretty sire my old corolla has same setup :S, cant remember, been a while.

[ryana89]

All my gauges dropped out when the voltage regulator on the alternator "died", resulting in the gauge cluster fuse blowing.

[mike54]

Agree that it sounds like the Voltage Regulator. Get yourself a new one (they aren't that dear from memory) and replace by removing the instrument cluster. Be careful with the printed circuit sheets as they tend to weaken with age.

thans for your help

[Jarred]

All my gauges dropped out when the voltage regulator on the alternator "died", resulting in the gauge cluster fuse blowing.

IIRC., don't think the mk 1 has a fuse as such for the cluster. The tacho and speedo are mechanical, and the lights have fuses, but I'm pretty sure the voltage reg takes care of it, instead of a fuse. (also drops voltage too, as the name would suggest.)

[ryana89]

IIRC., don't think the mk 1 has a fuse as such for the cluster. The tacho and speedo are mechanical, and the lights have fuses, but I'm pretty sure the voltage reg takes care of it, instead of a fuse. (also drops voltage too, as the name would suggest.)

Ahh, thankyou Jarred
Did'nt realise MK1's ran a mechanical tacho :O

[Jarred]

ooh actually. I think I'm wrong there, just mech speedo. Tacho would just run off a signal from the coil. Sorry!

[ryana89]

Haha no worries
Was intrigued by the thought of a mechanical tacho hehe

[cab93]

my temp and fuel gauges working however as i was driving both gauge needles dropped to zero now nothing raises up so i dont know h0w much petrol is in the tank what happened ? how can i remedy it. thanks

I've had this problem. I replaced the voltage regulator - gauges still dropped out. Found to be a bad earth, which one? no idea!

Just cleaned and tighten the earth wires (engine bay), never had a problem since.

Michael