Lots of work behind me....lots more ahead again.

[Rustyroger]

Mechanically my 5th Avenue should be fine now, after a reground crank, new oil pump, timing chain & sprockets, and a rebuilt transmission. The brakes work fine, recored radiator, some new steering parts and a busy day with a grease gun.
So today I took it for a drive, the speedometer doesn't work, in fact it makes a tinkling rattling noise and the needle just flickered as I drove it - speed related. Disconnecting the cable stopped the noise. The fuel gauge doesn't work and some of the dashboard lights don't work. The heater controls don't do anything either.
I guess the instrument panel needs to come out to look at these faults, is it a reasonably simple job?.
I also need to have the headlining replaced, but I think I'll farm this job out, and need to replace the windshield trim. Is the latter a straightforward job?.

I want the car fully operational by Good Friday, I've entered it for the first big American car show in the UK, so no need to rush things, but I want to get on with it, time has a habit of passing almost unnoticed.

Roger.

 

[89.Fifth]

Speedometer probably just needs lubrication. As for the lights they may just be burnt out. With the heater controls there are multiple points of failure there. Does the motor speed not work? Or is it the vent selection?

 

[Aspen500]

If the speedo needle just wiggles a little and makes a tinking sound, chances are the speedometer itself is broken. Does the odometer work?

The windshield trim is easy enough to change (I assume you mean the bright trim on the exterior?) provided you have the correct tool to release the clips.
Like this: molding removal tool @ Speedway Motors, The Racing and Rodding Specialists

 

[Rustyroger]

The heater fan works, but I guess the vacuum controls don't do anything. I have removed the A/C compressor and made up new alternator brackets btw, I just want to control heat and airflow.
The windshield trim is missing. If I buy a replacement is it simple to fit?.
I guess the speedo needs to come out, I managed to make a good speedometer out of two broken ones for a 1959 Cadillac some years ago, hopefully this one shouldn't be beyond me.

How easy is it to remove the instrument panel?. I haven't taken one out of a Chrysler before, I don't want to make extra work for myself by removing the wrong screws!.

Thanks for your prompt replies guys.

 

[jasperjacko]

If the speedo worked before the trans rebuild, the gear is probably out of adjustment where it connects to the transmission. It has to be "clocked" in a certain position based on gear ratio.

 

[Rustyroger]

The cable is correctly indexed in the transmission, last Saturday was the only time I ever drove it over 20 mph.
The instrument panel is coming out today to look at the lights not working so I'll have a look at the speedo at the same time.

Roger.

 

[Rustyroger]

Update, the instrument panel and speedo came out - easy isn't it? - some blown bulbs and the drum has come off the speedometer needle shaft.
Bulbs are simple, while it's all apart some contact spray will go on the terminals.
Hopefully superglue will refix the drum to the shaft. If it doesn't then I guess I'll have to find another speedo head .
While it was apart I had a look at the A/C vacuum controls. It looks like some clown has chopped through the vacuum hose extension. I have a one red and six black tubes from the plug into the S.A.T.C. control assembly all ending after about six inches or so. I can find six hoses under the dash, violet, red, dark green, light green, yellow, and brown. There are also two hoses going through the firewall, one gray (water valve actuator), the other black (manifold vacuum).
From the shop manual;
The violet line goes to the black line through a check valve.
The red to the bi-level & a/c actuator.
The dark green to the recirculating/outside air actuator, also tee'd into the gray line to the water valve.
The light green to the outside air/recirculating actuator.
The yellow to the defrost/heat actuator.
The brown to the a/c heat & bi level actuator.
I guess I'll have to buy some vacuum hose and re-connect everything, I don't know which line goes to which port on the control assembly, can anyone help me there please, or do I need to get busy with a vacuum pump?.
Hoping for the best but preparing for the worst, is there any way of testing the temperature control without further disassembly?, the speedo and gauge cluster are out right now, along with the radio. If I need to take more apart I don't want to put it all together only to take it apart again.

Roger.

 

[Rustyroger]

It seems I have fixed the speedometer with a touch of superglue, a road test will see if that's worked.
I thought the bulbs would be easy, well the speedo illumination, high beam warning and washer level lights were, but the temperature gauge/ammeter illumination turned out to be a bad printed circuit board, however patience with a soldering iron and going back indoors for my prescription glasses got that fixed .
Next job is the fuel gauge doesn't work, in my experience 99% of the time it's due to either a bad sender or bad connections at the fuel tank. Can I get to the tank without dropping it?.

Roger.

 

[gporeilly]

Need help !!!
light In center dash cluster too dim so in process of changing bulbs to #2825 5W..... have changed the bulb behind the gas gauge and the one for the gear shifter selection no problem.
How the hell do I access the bulb behind the speedometer gauge ???
Any and all advice much appreciated.

 

[Rustyroger]

Take the speedometer cluster out. A bit fiddly but not difficult. I suggest you replace every bulb while you're there. Sorry I took so long to reply.

Roger.