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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: Jauntimus Prime on August 26, 2012, 06:42:21 PM

Title: Instrument wiring diagrams?
Post by: Jauntimus Prime on August 26, 2012, 06:42:21 PM
My '77 C/W has had the original rally gauges replaced with aftermarket units (the original cluster probably crumbled to pieces). Problem is, the factory harness is gone after the pigtail, and whoever did it did the crappiest, gooniest job with the wiring. Naturally, nothing works, except the temp gauge which is mechanical.   :o

I can't find a wiring diagram in any Haynes or Chilton manual, and even the 1977 Ford Car Electrical manual (the one that looks like this: http://www.faxonautoliterature.com/Assets/ProductImages/1977FordCarORMSet.jpg (http://www.faxonautoliterature.com/Assets/ProductImages/1977FordCarORMSet.jpg)) is devoid of any schematics.

Anyone have a line on some wiring diagrams for this thing? I'd appreciate it so!
Title: Re: Instrument wiring diagrams?
Post by: Mike Modified on August 26, 2012, 08:27:53 PM
Just about anything electrical about your car is answered in the Electrical and Vacuum Troubleshootin g Manual (EVTM): http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=pinto+evtm+1977&_sacat=0&_odkw=pinto+evtm&_osacat=0 (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=pinto+evtm+1977&_sacat=0&_odkw=pinto+evtm&_osacat=0)
 
Mike
Title: Re: Instrument wiring diagrams?
Post by: Jauntimus Prime on August 27, 2012, 06:12:07 AM
Thank you, Mike, for finding that. That one's got the schematics? That may be the route I have to take. I was so hoping to avoid having to make yet another ebay purchase and wait for yet another thing in the mail... I don't suppose someone has some pdfs or scans they can post...?  ;D
Title: Re: Instrument wiring diagrams?
Post by: EnochDreams on June 13, 2014, 04:39:10 PM
My wagon doesn't even have a temp gage, where is this located?
Title: Re: Instrument wiring diagrams?
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on June 13, 2014, 09:13:15 PM
Must be an add on that someone put in, all I have is the Idiot light..
Title: Re: Instrument wiring diagrams?
Post by: tbucketjack on June 14, 2014, 02:12:37 AM
What make after market gauges are they? VDO and Auto Gauge web sites should have there diagram and installation instructions.
Title: Re: Instrument wiring diagrams?
Post by: amc49 on June 14, 2014, 02:52:55 AM
Aftermarket gauges commonly do not wire up like the factory instrument wiring harness will, you go your own way there. Far better to wire your own but as you see you need to know what you are doing. Anyone knowing needs no schematic..... .............. .no insult intended at all but the way it is. Like they say, refer to individual product website and then put all together to make your own harness, what you are going to end up doing anyway.

On late Pinto the water temp light and oil pressure light are one and the same.......... ............'engine' light.
Title: Re: Instrument wiring diagrams?
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on June 14, 2014, 08:29:41 AM
I believe he has a mechanical Temp gauge..

"Naturally, nothing works, except the temp gauge which is mechanical"
Title: Re: Instrument wiring diagrams?
Post by: amc49 on June 14, 2014, 06:00:07 PM
Should do same with oil pressure, electric OP sucks......... ........
Title: Re: Instrument wiring diagrams?
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on June 15, 2014, 08:05:37 AM
After almost losing a motor because of a failing sending unit, water/oil always gets mechanical gauges.. :(
Title: Re: Instrument wiring diagrams?
Post by: rramjet on June 15, 2014, 11:18:44 AM
I mentioned this before elsewhere but Autometer has a nice inexpensive mechanical oil pressure and water temp set. First thing I installed in my 73 after I got it.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Auto-Meter/105/2392/10002/-1?parentProductI d=
Title: Re: Instrument wiring diagrams?
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on June 15, 2014, 11:52:03 AM
Can't beat Autometer..
Title: Re: Instrument wiring diagrams?
Post by: Jauntimus Prime on September 13, 2014, 06:07:04 PM
Wow... I haven't checked in to the forum for a while and didn't even notice that this thread got bumped! Right on. And as it happens, I've come back to this gauge issue.

To those wondering about why there are gauges in the first place... this car is a Cruising Wagon, which came from the factory with the rally gauge package: A tach next to the speedo, and three gauges in the center of the dash above the radio: fuel, temp, amps. (The heater controls are below the radio in a little consolette thing.)

Of course the plastic case the gauges were built into tends to disintegrate and turn into powder over time, which is probably what happened when someone before me switched them out with Auto Gage units (Auto Meter's cheaper cousin). They were old and the job was so hackneyed, so I started over with a brand new set. A mechanical oil pressure gauge is now included, with the fuel gauge off to the right.

amc49, I see the point you're making and generally agree. However, in this case, I'm trying to take advantage of wiring that already exists, especially since I don't want to add more wiring to an already messy situation. I know I'll have to make my own harness, which isn't a big deal, but since I'll be using the factory fuel sender, and there are already wires present for the fuel sender, ammeter, lights, ground etc., I don't see the sense in starting completely from scratch. That, and running wiring is a pain in the @$$ :P
Title: Re: Instrument wiring diagrams?
Post by: Jauntimus Prime on September 13, 2014, 06:27:05 PM
Update: I've determined which leads are fuel, temp, lights, ground. Of course, the mechanical temp an o/p gauges won't need wires (except lights/gnd), so the only thing that remains is how to hook up the ammeter. I may just improvise it, but I'd love it if I could just use what's already there.

All the diagrams say is that it should be connected inline with the small + lead coming from the battery side of the solenoid, not grounded or in parallel (I guess). All I see is two 14 AWG fusible links, and I can't tell where they go. Should I cut into one of these for my ammeter tap?

Thanks for your suggestions, all!
Title: Re: Instrument wiring diagrams?
Post by: BigHoss48192 on February 25, 2017, 05:22:36 PM
Sorry to bump such an old post but I recently purchased a '79 Mercury Bobcat.  It has the rally dash gauges and where the harness mounts has crumbled.  Do you happen to remember or have a wiring diagram for the harness so I can try to wire some other gauges up?
Title: Re: Instrument wiring diagrams?
Post by: oldkayaker on February 26, 2017, 06:41:40 AM
Below is a scan from a 1979 Pinto/Bobcat Electrical Vacuum Troubleshootin g Manual (EVTM) showing the sports option gauges.  The Ford temperature and fuel level gauges use the instrument cluster voltage regulator output while after market gauges that I played with used full 12VDC.  With after market gauges, follow their instructions. 
Alternator: The Ford alternator discharge/charge gauge monitors the voltage drop across a shunt of unknown resistance.  After market car ammeters usually monitor the current directly so you would need to install new larger wiring.  I used undersized wiring once and smoke was coming from under the dash when recharging a near dead battery with the alternator.  Suggest using a voltmeter gauge instead so smaller wiring can be used. 
Fuel level gauge: Need to get a gauge with a resistance range that matches the Bobcat tank level sender, (empty 60 to 86 ohms, full 8 to 12 ohms).
Temperature: You probably will need to replace the sender to match the aftermarket gauge requirements.
Tachometer: I suspect the Bobcat wiring can be reused but follow the after market gauge instructions.
Have fun.