Can you drive it without the gauge cluster?

[RefinedThinking]

I wanted to pull the gauge cluster out tonight and try to fix my erratic coolant temp gauge and inop speedometer but I have work tomorrow. I was wondering if I didn't get it finished tonight would I be able to drive to work tomorrow without it, thanks.

[nando]

it will run but your battery won't charge.

[RefinedThinking]

Really? How would the battery not charge?

[lolcantturn]

eeeeeeeeeeeek..

[Threehz]

Yeah I took mine out a couple days ago to trouble shoot, drives fine without it. I have no clue about the battery thing though, unsure why it would not charge? I only had mine out for about two hours.

[warmseth]

The gauge cluster battery would surely not charge. Maybe that's what he meant. :p

[James Crivellone]

Really? How would the battery not charge?

Because the exciter wire from the alternator runs through the gauge cluster. No wire no charging circuit.

[5mall5nail5]

The cluster is integral to the charging circuit - the battery light is necessary

[delatlanta1281]

Just like a vw. No battery charge without the exciter wire.

[gearheadE30]

^^like pretty much any car, really.

[Mlarsen]

It doesn't take much to put it all back together...

[RefinedThinking]

I read somewhere it's a common problem for the speedometer not working. Anyone have experience with this?

[TurboJake]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/search.php?searchid=11722201