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Doing Away with the Flexi-card Dash Cluster Circuit Board

Midlife

Midlife

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I'm sure those of you who own 69 and up Mustangs have experienced problems with the dash cluster circuit card: broken traces, poor contacts, etc. I have had customers go through 3 reproductions before they have found one that worked. Enough is enough! I asked myself: can the dash cluster be hard-wired with a multi-pin connector?

Someone provided a 71 dash cluster for me to work on. Here's what the back of it looks like with the flexi-card on it:
clockQ.jpg


The desire is to minimize modifications and make a new harness plug-n-play. There's no means of using the existing connector with the rounded contact tips, so a new connector pair must be made. There are 14 lamp sockets, and these are 1/2" holes, not the standard size for 1895 or most 194 bulbs. I found a wired replacement socket and went to town. Here's what the final product looks like:
71hardwireback.jpg

And here's my testing of the entire assembly using a 12V power supply:
71hardwirefront.jpg


The dash lamps are lit, believe it or not. The diffusers are what suck up the photons.

For 1971-73, I can build the dash cluster harness and a pigtail for those who want to splice their own wires for $100. For the same amount, I can add that to your existing harness.

I need to find a 69/70 dash cluster to use as a template, so if anyone has a beater laying around, let me know.
 
Thanks, Ryan! PM me with what you want for a price and I'll reimburse you for shipping. Let me know if you need my address.
 
That's a pretty cool setup.

From infinity and beyond.

Never argue with a Moron, they'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.
 
Hi Midlife, I have problems with my 1969 dash cluster circuit card. I removed, repainted, changed the lenses and the bulbs, everything looked great but when I connected it again, the fuel, temp and oil pressure gauges didn't work. Trying to find the problem the last time I connected the circuit some smoke started to come out of the connection piece. Now I've bought a new printed circuit board but I'm not sure if that will solve the problem. I'm pretty new with this issues. Any help would be really appreciated.
 

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What burned was your ground connector. Somehow, your system shorted out on the circuit card. Typically, things burn up until it finds a place to shed heat better than insulation: the metal pin. I'd be reluctant to use that pin. How's the wire's insulation that is going into that pin?
 
The concern is whether the short continued past the pin and into the wires going into the underdash harness. If not, then you may be lucky to only clean up that pin (or replace it --- it has to be spliced as there are no commercially made pins like that today) and replace the circuit card.
 
I understand. So, may I clean up the pin, replace the circuit board and check if it works? Maybe are silly question, i'm sorry this is new for me
 
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