electrical issue with console gauges

[JAL69Z]

Need some advice, when i turn my headlights on my console gas and water temp gauges stop working. Just popped up or so I noticed today. Any suggestions? No mods of any kind that would have created the issue. Electrical stuff not my strong point! Gas gauge goes below E and the water temp way passed H.

[rocco376]

Possibly the turn signal switch in the steering column.  Many of the electrical connections, including the headlight switch meet behind the steering wheel.

[JAL69Z]

Thanks Rocco...never thought of that. Hate these electrical gremlins. 

[camaronut]

I'm pretty sure there's a ground wire on the back of the gauges that people forget to install.......I would check that.

[JAL69Z]

i took the console gauge cover off to inspect and I did notice one black ground wire connected. Should there be two or more? If i remember correctly its connected to the top of the metal housing. Thanks for replying!

[camaronut]

I'm thinking its a ground issue.  I think there is a specific wiring schematic for the console, so the AIM might not be the place to look.  I'm sure there are console schematics online.  Good luck.

[JAL69Z]

thanks...I will look at the AIM to see.

Hopefully its something simple.

[Rick68]

There is a ground wire form the console wiring harness that attaches to the transmission tunnel

[JAL69Z]

Thanks Rick...the one ground wire is attached to the console  tunnel..is there suppose to be more than one?

[Rick68]

There should be a ground wire from the console harness that attaches the console gauges steel mounting plate. Than there should be a ground wire that attaches both mounting plates together

[rich69rs]

This has been posted before - perhaps may be of some help.

Richard

[JAL69Z]

Richard, thanks this will help for sure. Appreciate the feedback.

Jim

[rocco376]

Hey Jim, Please let us know when you figure it out.  Good luck.

[JAL69Z]

absolutely...hopefully I can jump on this Sat or Sunday. Fingers crossed.

[JAL69Z]

Ok let me try and recap what I did:
Took the console face off and inspected the ground wire for good connection and seems like its hooked up correctly and secure, all good there.
Took the shifter plate off and looked at the ground wire  attached to the trans tunnel, took if off clean and scrapped the area for a possible better connection.
Nothing changed at all...pull the headlights out (car was off) and the temp gauge goes past H and the fuel gauge goes below E. I tried removing the ground wire attached to the tunnel and then try the head lights...no change same issue. Seems like whether the tunnel ground wire is attached or not it doesnt seem to affect the gauges.   

Again absolutely no expert here...what the heck am I missing?

Headed out for the evening so I may not get a chance to reply back tonight to any suggestions which are appreciated.