1984 2.8 gauges not working when hot?

[BrownRangers]

1984 Ford Ranger 2.8 2wd with 4 gauge left dial, has fuel, oil p, water t, and amp.

When cold under 60 degrees(CA cold) gauges work fine. Sometimes will go out as truck gets hot or temps get hot. Also wont work if truck is then parked when engine hot and outside temp is hot. Next time you start(say after running into a store) gauges wont work.
When hot, even just ambient temp, say 80 plus, the gauges do not work even at start up.

Any tips?

 

[Dirtman]

The only logical reason the temperature would effect power to all the gauges is if there is a connection somewhere that is barely functional and as it heats it flexes or expands enough to lose contact.

 

[adsm08]

The only thing those gauges all have in common is the power source. I think Dirtman is on the right track with a loose connection.

The 1st gen gauges ran on 5 or 6V, not 12 like the 89+. I'd start by pulling the cluster out and inspecting the printed circuit board, PCB damage is usually pretty obvious, it will either take the form of the copper printings pulling away from the plastic sheet, or a big black burnt spot.

I'd also investigate the power feed wire. The 1st gens used a thicker, black,7 to 8 ohm resistor wire to feed power to the gauges from the ignition switch and drop the 12V VPower down to the required 5 to 6V. You have to pay attention when working with the wiring to the gauges. I've burnt out perfectly good PCBs by not being careful enough and hooking 12V to the gauge set.

 

[Dirtman]

Any updates?