1984 Instrument cluster wire always hot?

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1984 Instrument cluster wire always hot?

'84-460-Project
I have my instrument panel out, battery connected and no key in the ignition. Just for kicks I broke out the test light and started checking each circuit on the main connector for the instrument panel.

Circuit 8 (654) Yellow/Green and 9 (655) Red and Orange are hot (in this case - always hot). Looking at the 1986 EVTM pg 15 these circuits feed the ammeter on the instrument cluster. I've never seen this working (one of the reasons I have the cluster out).

Are these circuits always hot, or do I have an issue with one of my connections?

Thanks

1984 F250 4x4
Stock 460 dual tanks
Edelbrock 1406
Automatic transmission
"hot fuel option"
Father/Son project
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Re: 1984 Instrument cluster wire always hot?

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Yes, those circuits are always hot.  As you can see in the schematic below, which is from the '85 EVTM but should be the same as the '86 one, the red/orange connects to the always-hot side of the starter relay, which is also where the shunt connects.  And the yellow/green connects to the other end of the shunt, and that's always hot as well.

So the ammeter is watching the current flow across the shunt.  If it flows from the battery to the right, meaning towards the truck, then it shows a discharge.  But if is flows from the alternator toward the battery, meaning the the left, then it shows a charge.

A test for the ammeter is to turn the headlights on w/o starting the truck.  The ammeter should show a discharge.


Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: 1984 Instrument cluster wire always hot?

'84-460-Project
Gary, thanks so much. This site is an outstanding resource and is consistently proving its value.

I freakedout out a little when I went to reinstall the instrument cluster and one of the "hot" circuits made contact and a little smoke came out. Hopefully it didn't do to much damage.

Lesson learned - disconnect the neg terminal when reinstalling the instrument panel.
1984 F250 4x4
Stock 460 dual tanks
Edelbrock 1406
Automatic transmission
"hot fuel option"
Father/Son project
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Re: 1984 Instrument cluster wire always hot?

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Glad the site is helping.

Sure hope you didn't let too much smoke out of your wiring.  
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: 1984 Instrument cluster wire always hot?

Steve83
Banned User
In reply to this post by '84-460-Project
'84-460-Project wrote
...the ammeter on the instrument cluster. I've never seen this working (one of the reasons I have the cluster out).
They never worked - even new.  That's one reason Ford (& every other automaker) switched to a voltmeter.  It's relatively easy to swap one in, and it will be much more-useful to you.  This shows my heavily-modified cluster, but focus on the voltmeter in it & the NEXT pic:

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Re: 1984 Instrument cluster wire always hot?

Rembrant
Steve83 wrote
 That's one reason Ford (& every other automaker) switched to a voltmeter.  It's relatively easy to swap one in, and it will be much more-useful...
Steve,

What Voltmeter did you swap in there? One from a Bricknose? Do you have a write-up on that somewhere?
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: 1984 Instrument cluster wire always hot?

Steve83
Banned User
Rembrant wrote
What Voltmeter did you swap in there? One from a Bricknose?
Possibly, but more likely '92-96.  The guts of the meter are probably the same - only the face might be slightly different.
Rembrant wrote
Do you have a write-up on that somewhere?
Not on that exact cluster, but the concept & process is very similar to what's shown in this, the NEXT several pics, and the links in the captions:



Only the '80-86 ammeter is easier because it's not full-current, so you don't have to worry with the big ammeter wire - just abandon the 2 small ones (because they're always-hot, and you don't need the voltmeter on all the time), and add a jumper from the switched-hot on the cluster to the new meter, and another from the new meter to cluster return (ground).

You'll probably use the original ammeter face, and just learn where the voltmeter needle sits (because it would be difficult & expensive to 3D-print a new plastic face with volt markings).
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Re: 1984 Instrument cluster wire always hot?

kramttocs
Administrator
In reply to this post by Rembrant
The gentleman at Rocketmans is great to work with. I had him convert mine.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1339746-how-to-swap-amp-meter-to-volt-meter.html
Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio
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Re: 1984 Instrument cluster wire always hot?

Gary Lewis
Administrator
kramttocs wrote
The gentleman at Rocketmans is great to work with. I had him convert mine.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1339746-how-to-swap-amp-meter-to-volt-meter.html
Yes, he is.  He did mine as well.  And since I'll use that on Big Blue I'll have to have him do another for Dad's truck.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: 1984 Instrument cluster wire always hot?

grumpin
Thought I’d show y’all the high falutin’ gauge I installed!
Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona
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Re: 1984 Instrument cluster wire always hot?

Gary Lewis
Administrator
I have something like that laying around here somewhere.  But as the cigar lighter is always on, mine was always drawing current.  Perhaps it isn't enough to be a problem?
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: 1984 Instrument cluster wire always hot?

grumpin
I only put it in when I want to see what’s going on.
Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona
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Re: 1984 Instrument cluster wire always hot?

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Good plan, Stan.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI