Is it my cluster?

[603Racing]

I have a random brake lining light on my '84 eta. I know my pads are good, so I assumed it was a short in one of the sensor wires. Recently my speedo has been randomly stopping (MPG gauge quits with speedo, as expected). I started paying attention to when this occurs and both the lining light and the speedo "act up" when i hit bumps in the road. They are not directly tied to each other, somtimes one will work and not the other, but it's definitely related bumps.

I tested it by smacking the dash, and sure enough the light would flicker or turn on/off. The speedo would also start/quit working sometimes while I repeatedly smacked the dash.

My thought is wiring short or loose connection. Any thoughts?

[jalopi]

My thought is wiring short or loose connection. Any thoughts?

I vaguely remember being at a car meet a while ago and someone was talking about fixing an issue like this... something about a bad/loose ground for the gauge cluster. Could be wrong, but it's worth looking into I guess.

[lowsodium]

Its a useless light if your like me and check the brakes every few months anyway. I just pulled the bulb and wiring off of mine.

[agent]

Or just wire the circuit closed/together on the two sensor locations (LF, RR).

[603Racing]

Well, my point was I think it's an issue NOT related to the sensors since my speedo is acting up along with the lining light.

I plan on checking the cluster connections. Just curious to see if others have seen this combination of cluster issues.

[agent]

Oh gotcha. I haven't experienced that first hand. My cluster issues to date have been isolated to the usual suspects (speedometer, odometer and temp gauge), though Greg might have some insight on it - you might PM him if he doesn't see this thread.

[Semblance]

i just fixed this on my cluster when i had it open checking for other things. try reflowing the solder connections for the resistor, they are just above the temp gauge. mine checked out fine with the DMM but once i reflowed them, brake lining light is back to normal.

here's a pic from the follwing link showing the connections to reflow:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Instruments

but this won't help your speedo i think

[Gregs///M]

OP, start by replacing fuse 10, 12, and 21 with 7.5A. Old fuses can sometimes cause intermittent connection. Start with fresh fuses and go from there.

[603Racing]

Will do. 21 has already been replaced.

In doing some more percussive testing (beating the dash), the lining light and speedo problem are difinitely affected by the banging, bumps, and vibration. I will also give the reflow a try if the fuse replacement doesn't help.

Funny Greg... my family is from Pleasant Hill, but in Illinois.