Driving w/o Instrument Cluster - Alternator Charging

[digger]

Has anyone figured out the best way to drive w/o a cluster and keep the alternator charging?

[82eye]

have read about guys putting a diode or bulb on the alternator circuit at the cluster connection. that's the circuit that gets broken shutting the alt down when the cluster is out.

edit: have not seen a pic of how it was done.

[Vincenze]

Doesn't the cluster have a resistor in the circuit?

"Note: Resistor allows alternator to charge if bulb burns out"

[82eye]

Doesn't the cluster have a resistor in the circuit?

"Note: Resistor allows alternator to charge if bulb burns out"

pretty sure it's dependent on model year.

[reelizmpro]

Early 84-85 models did not have the bypass resistor. If the bulb goes out, the car doesn't charge.

[digger]

well mine is not charging w/o the cluster. if the resistor is in the cluster then it wouldn't help if the cluster is removed but would if the bulb blew

[Vincenze]

The resistor connects the contact 14 (+12V) and 16 (charging system) of the C1 connector.

You can measure its resistance.

[digger]

The resistor connects the contact 14 (+12V) and 16 (charging system) of the C1 connector.

You can measure its resistance.

Is it in the harness or in the cluster itself? i dont have the cluster it is being refurbished.

[82eye]

Is it in the harness or in the cluster itself? i dont have the cluster it is being refurbished.

do you have an etm? c1 is a 26pin blue connector at the back of the harness. should get unplugged to remove the cluster from the harness.

edit: possibly that is c2 and the yellow connector is c1. you want the blue one.

[digger]

do you have an etm? c1 is a 26pin blue connector at the back of the harness. should get unplugged to remove the cluster from the harness.

edit: possibly that is c2 and the yellow connector is c1. you want the blue one.

yes i have the etm and know which is which and the pinouts but it is unclear what value resistor as i cant measure my cluster. Presumably i can just tape in position to stop it pulling out? maybe if i measure resistance of a bulb that will be ok?

blue is CI
white is CII
yellow is CIII

5W bulb

I = Power / V = 5/12 = 0.42A
R = V/I = 12/0.42 = 28 ohms or greater with appropriate power rating?

[82eye]

i'd probably check the pin resistance likeVincenze suggests

[digger]

i'd probably check the pin resistance likeVincenze suggests

On the cluster ?

[82eye]

On the cluster ?

i'd test the harness side.

edit: you should be able to find posts on how it worked. others have worked it out.
also those little bulbs aren't very high watt. there like 1.5s check it here :

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/appearance-cosmetic/lighting/259550-e30-bulb-list