Cummins Diesel Forum banner
Cancel

Wiring and speedometer issues, Update

1310 Views 72 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  ViolenceJack, 
ViolenceJack
4
Good morning gang. Since last time I was here my D250 is running good. I do however have some problems still and cant find a clear cut answer online.

So my fuel gauge works, but when I start to move the truck it bounces HARD left to right. I know the gauge technically works because I added about 5 gallons of fuel to the tank and it went up. The dummy light for "low fuel" is on though.

The oil pressure(?) gauge is at zero and doesn't budge. The truck has oil.

I'm not 100% sure if the temp gauge works either, I haven't really let it run super long to get that hot. I did however put a new thermostat in because the old one was rusty and stuck shut.

The speedometer and odometer do not work either.

The dummy light for the parking brake and ABS both stay lit. I have messed with the connector by the e-brake and it appears to be intact, but when I move it by hand the dummy light gets a little dimmer.

My pawpaw had most of the dash apart and I really have no clue as to what all problems he was facing. He did have the red plug for the dummy light panel plugged into the gauge cluster, and the black gauge cluster plug just dangling. I'm gonna attach a couple pics of some plugs that I'm not sure about that were left unplugged with (seemingly) nowhere to plug into along with some loose wires just laying in the floor. And I have a picture of a little silver fella that gets HOT even when the truck isn't running. I have it unplugged because I don't want to walk outside to a burnt up truck. Also I am for some reason terrible at tracing wires. Its the one thing that absolutely overwhelms me.

Any help is appreciated.

Jack

Attachments

See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
61 - 73 of 73 Posts
foresterfields40
These are the ones I bought. Worked great. I bought mine directly from LA Gear though
www.amazon.com

La Speedometer Gear Odometer gear set

Buy La Speedometer Gear Odometer gear set at Amazon. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision!
www.amazon.com
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
ViolenceJack
Hey gang, is there a good foolproof way of taking the needles off the gauges? My voltage and temp gauge needles both broke off when I was trying to clean them 🙄 I will have to source some new ones i guess. Also after installing a junkyard speedo with new gears in it, my speedo works! And installing a new headlight switch all the backlights on the gauges work! Also found a cool old sony radio at the junkyard that surprisingly works too.
Reply
Save
Like
9297oldram
ViolenceJack said:
Hey gang, is there a good foolproof way of taking the needles off the gauges? My voltage and temp gauge needles both broke off when I was trying to clean them 🙄 I will have to source some new ones i guess. Also after installing a junkyard speedo with new gears in it, my speedo works! And installing a new headlight switch all the backlights on the gauges work! Also found a cool old sony radio at the junkyard that surprisingly works too.
Click to expand...
If you want the headlight switch to last you need to put the headlights on relays.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
ViolenceJack
9297oldram said:
If you want the headlight switch to last you need to put the headlights on relays.
Click to expand...
Noted thank you. I’ll search up how to do that
Reply
Save
Like
9297oldram
There's info all over the Web and also you can buy kits with the relays that are plug and play. It'll make the headlights brighter also.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
cutoutcummins
ViolenceJack said:
Noted thank you. I’ll search up how to do that
Click to expand...
Lmc sells one. Decent garage on YouTube did a install video on it. I forget off hand what style plug these headlights use but you can jump on Amazon or eBay and find them. Easy install


1990 w250 12v Cummins
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
sdeeter19555
While I have the LMC relay harness, and it works well to date; I don't like the proprietary relays (they are not a typical icecube). The other thing is they expect you to run the passenger's side of the harness across the core support, I lengthened mine to fit the firewall.

It is a worthwhile mod...does make the lights brighter.

Those headlight pigtails are very common as they were used a almost every make and model up till the plastic headlamps. Dorman makes them as well as others. I have a few just in case one burns a terminal. I think I sourced them locally, but Amazon has them.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
foresterfields40
Firmly grasp the circular base where the needle is molded on and pull it straight off
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
ViolenceJack
foresterfields40 said:
Firmly grasp the circular base where the needle is molded on and pull it straight off
Click to expand...
Aight cool thank you. Now i just gotta find some to order. I should have just bought the whole gauge pod from the scrap yard but I didn’t know how much they would charge for the whole thing 🤦🏻‍♂️
Reply
Save
Like
ViolenceJack
I can only find GM truck needles on the interweb so far. If i can’t find some I guess i’ll have to go back to the scrap yard. Maybe i can design a 3D print slip on needle to go over the original
Reply
Save
Like
cutoutcummins
ViolenceJack said:
I can only find GM truck needles on the interweb so far. If i can’t find some I guess i’ll have to go back to the scrap yard. Maybe i can design a 3D print slip on needle to go over the original
Click to expand...
I found this a while back

www.ebay.com

20 tooth odometer gear / speedometer cog for Dodge Ram Cummins (1990-93) | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 20 tooth odometer gear / speedometer cog for Dodge Ram Cummins (1990-93) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com

There's also this

www.ebay.com

odometer repair kit: 20 tooth gear 16 tooth pod for Dodge Ram Cummins (1990-93) | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for odometer repair kit: 20 tooth gear 16 tooth pod for Dodge Ram Cummins (1990-93) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com


1990 w250 12v Cummins
Reply
Save
Like
sdeeter19555
La Speedometer Gear Odometer gear set https://a.co/d/gqPTTyV

I bought these off Amazon...
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
ViolenceJack
Yes i got the gears and put them in the speedometer and it works perfect. Now I just need 2 replacement gauge needles for the temp gauge and battery gauge
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
61 - 73 of 73 Posts
Cummins Diesel Forum
A forum community dedicated to all things Cummins Diesel! Originally founded for owners and enthusiasts of Cummins powered Dodge pickups, the Cummins Forum has expanded to include ALL Cummins Engine applications! Come join the discussion about reviews, drivetrain swaps, turbos, modifications, classifieds, builds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
03-07 Performance Parts Discussion 03-07 Powertrain 2013-2018 General Discussion 98.5-02 Powertrain 98.5-02 Performance Parts Discussion
Top