1973 Charger instrument panel wiring

[paspau]

Hi,

Does anyone knows where that black/orange wire with lamp goes. I know that this other goes to heater control. But there is also other lamp with same wiring colours. Where that goes?
Cluster ground goes to that heater control lamp. I have Rallye Cluster.

-Pasi

[Nacho-RT74]

73/74 just gets one bulb for heater/ac control unit, but 71/72 gets 2. Are you sure you have a 73 harness?

Heater/ac control panel is the only light on cluster getting wired ground since housing is plastic. The rest are grounded via chassis.

[paspau]

Yes this is strange. I have hideaway lamps. And I think that 1973 model did not have that? Maybe I have modified version 73 to 72.
Vin code is E63D34WP29M3A232087
I have now 440 cid engine installed and that's why I had to get everythin off. And now I am going to get that work. But one lamp... Piss me off

[Nacho-RT74]

Hideaways were gone by 73 so harness provision was gone by 73 too so you definitelly got a 72 harness in there if hideaways are sourced from stock provisions and not just spliced into the harness... probably harness swapped in the past, since 72 and 73 are the closest harness of all. 71 and 74 are way diff monsters, but even 72 and 73 got small differences. All years are being strictly a one year only setup, but 72 amd 73 are the closest between them. It could be even 71, but 71s didn't get the seatbelt warning system.

VIN is 73 SE, mostly sure with the louvered quarter window? On 73 the SE model could be optioned with roll down quarter glass just like a hardtop, but not common.

[paspau]

yes I have roll down quarter glass.
So that one lamp is not for use for me?

[paspau]

BTW what source you use to read VIN codes?

[Nacho-RT74]

no, it won't have any use. It can be hanging around and won't hurt anything. Just remove the bulb.

There are many sources around able to be used for decode VIN and Fender tags, but I just knew it is a 73 SE looking at the WP29M3 on VIN. After check these by years some codes just pop out to our sight just looking at the VIN without need for decoding tools

WP... W stands for Charger/Coronet ( B body Dodge )... P for Premium, SE on this case

29... 2 is 2 doors ( which becomes it on Charger ) 9 was originally used for fastback code or sport hardtop, but latelly just accomplises to the SE denomination.

M is engine... 400 2 bbls

3... is 73

A... Lynch Road assembly plant

232087... build sequence


E63 and  D34 are part of the Fender Tag, not the VIN really. E63 is Engine ( 400 2 bbls ) and D34 is Transmission (  standard Transmission... automatic 727 being Big Block )


Is nice having a 73 SE with Roll down glass, really uncommon and one year only ( no 74s made like that ), and as far I recall the first member around here having one.

[paspau]

Nacho you are great! Thanks a lot for helping and such a knowledge!
I'll post some pictures after I get that car ready. Not a lot to do anymore.

[Nacho-RT74]

If you remove the bulb just take care the center terminal of the socket doesn't come out loose to save from an accidental short. I can't recall how is the socket build for these. I know the cluster ones are just a terminal with a spring to load it againts the bulb contact, but when bulb is not there terminal comes out lose from the socket.

circuit is fuse protected anyway and won't make a damage, but still will need to take care of that

You can also get a 71/72 Heater/AC control and install it to get the use for the socket LOL. They interchanges, althought if AC, the blower lever plug changes, but can be made to fit with the propper plug. Dunno if Heater control changes the plug