a little help. a little freaked out!

[DadsCharger00]

So I hadn't started gr8ce in awhile so when I got home from work jumped in and started her up.  Working with a guy about replacing the gauge cluster so took it out of the car.  Wanted to see if any of the lights behind the dash would work and now when I turn the key.....nothing.  I didn't cut anything didn't break anything....so what did I do?!?!? I'm a little freaked!

[red69superbee]

if you didnt hook up the wires to the amp guage, nothing will work at all

[AKcharger]

if you didnt hook up the wires to the amp guage, nothing will work at all

Ditto, you're #1 suspect

[DadsCharger00]

Oh thank god. I was hoping it was something simple like that! Thanks! Still learning!

[skip68]

I hope the battery is not hooked up.  Power is always hot to the amp meter.   Those amp meters are fire starters anyway.  

[DadsCharger00]

Not anymore....when it wouldn't do anything I re disconnected it... good news is the back of the cluster looks allmost new  looks like a new electronics board and everything. All pegs still on it. No dirt or grime or much of anything.

[Troy]

For future reference: do NOT hook power up to the car if your gauge cluster isn't all the way installed and grounded. I once shifted it out of the way to access something and then put the ground wire back on the battery. It only took a couple seconds to fry most of my gauges. As mentioned, watch those ammeter wires carefully because that's the full power of your battery running through them and it's super easy to weld something to your dash or start a campfire!

Troy

[b5blue]

I second that Troy! I have a disconnect on the battery post, (The one with the green knob.) it's been on the car 17 years.