electroluminiscent cluster

[Nacho-RT74]

A member of my Mopar Facebook group got a 66 Charger 318 ( shame not anymore the original A engine, but LA ). It need some resto. One of the things will need to fix is the electroluminiscent function.

What's the main fail on this system ? I guess is the power pack/transformer ( or I hope so is that ), because they are being sold freshly rebuilt on ebay. Is there some reason to think the fail could be elsewhere ? I hope not the ceramic layer into the gauges!

where else to check for this?

[ODZKing]

First Nacho, 66 318 was a poly.  Nothing wrong with that for a small block.  They can be made to scream!
As far as the EL, depends on what you mean when you say fail.  Are the gauges not working or just the EL?
If it is the EL, that most likely would be the power pack and many can be repaired unless it is the transformer itself.
Bryan (A383Wing) has repaired them successfully.
If it is the gauges that is another matter and more complicated.

[Nacho-RT74]

yeap I know originally poly ( thats the A block I meant ) but got it now an LA

just the EL... about Gauges, it seems just the gas gauge, but gas tank is rusted, needs to be replaced so maybe fail is related to sender.

an upgraded version of the Powerpack is available on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/66-67-Dodge-Charger-Electroluminescent-Power-Pack-/390901002137?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5b0383ef99&vxp=mtr

( also a fix remanufacture service, but will requiere an overseas shipping )

I have not seen personally the car yet, but by description somebody tried to fix it someday in the past, so I'm affraid harness can be all hacked up around.

[Pete in NH]

Hi Nacho,

That power pack is a fairly simple oscillator circuit. You can very likely repair it, With a little luck. I've attached a schematic diagram.

[A383Wing]

I repair the power packs, the ebay link above has been proven not to work on our clusters properly, not enough voltage. The lighting system works like the old style Christmas lights, if one fails, they all go out. You must find out where it's shorted by unplugging the dash, shifter, clock, & radio....then plug each one back in, if it lights up, then that circuit is good. Service manual has steps to follow to isolate the problem. Headlight switch dimmer must be good, and the fuse as well before condemning the power pack

I can rebuild the power pack, but if EL is shorted, then it still will not work until short is found.

The gas gauge function is either the sender, the limiter, or the gauge itself. If the oil & water temp gauges do not function, then it's the limiter inside the gauge

[Ghoste]

And power pack must be well grounded.

[gibber]

If it ends up that the gauges need rebuilding, I can help with that. If the voltage limiter inside the fuel gauge has malfunctioned, more than likely the insulation on the nichrome wire inside the gauge is burned on the 3 thermal gauges (oil press, temp, fuel). Replacing the voltage limiter will not solve the problem if the gauges have that issue....and Bryan does an excellent job with rebuilding the OE EL packs. The one on Ebay is junk, IMHO.....has actually started a fire in one of my customers cars...

Mark

[Nacho-RT74]

Good to know!

Thanks for the offer Mark, but we are overseas ...

Will search for the problem first and will decide.

Thanks again!