Gauge Cluster Not Working and Number 11 Fuse Blown

[Brian Grohgans]

My gauge cluster quit working. The needles do not work, the cluster lights up fine. The #11 fuse is blown. Replacing the fuse makes the cluster work for about a second before the fuse blows out again. You can smell something burning behind the dash when running the vehicle.
Everything electrical about the vehicle is stock, no stereo or lighting modifications.

I'm unsure how to start trouble shooting this issue. My owners manual says the #11 fuse is for warning lamps IIRC, don't quote me as I no longer have it in front of me.
Where can I find some wiring diagrams that shows what exactly is apart of this "warning lamps" circuit?
I won't be able to look at the vehicle again till very late on Thursday,

Any help is appreciated

 

[kimcrwbr1]

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/EDiagrams/files/Diagram_Powerdistribution_1991_5of7.JPG
I dont know if this helps but there may be another component on that fuse with a direct short disconnect everything on that circuit and one at a time connect them until the fuse blows and troubleshoot that component. you may go through a few fuses maybe it is just a warning buzzer or somthing with an indirect short? You need a good schematic for your year and look for the short.

 

[Brian Grohgans]

disconnect everything on that circuit and one at a time connect them until the fuse blows and troubleshoot that component

How exactly do I determine what is on that circuit? Just try and find the right schematic? I didn't really see it on the link you posted unless I missed it

EDIT: Or is that diagram the entire circuit?

 

[kimcrwbr1]

That schematic was for a reference only my book stops at 1990. When the fuse is out what all does not work you have a short in that circuit from the key on hot. An oem schematic would be best. Maybe a seat belt warning bell/buzzer? without a good schematic your just guessing.

 

[Brian Grohgans]

As far as I could tell it was only my gauge cluster although I didn't really check everything. My abs light wasn't on as it usually is. The owners manual said fuse 11 was for warning lamps, and I thought they might have meant 4 way flashers but those were working fine as were the headlights and door ajar chime etc

Where would you recommend looking for an OEM schematic?

 

[Brian Grohgans]

Pulled the gauge cluster out and put a new fuse in. When I started the truck with no gauge cluster the fuse didn't blow. Is that sufficient evidence the gauge cluster is the problem?

Tore the gauge cluster apart and there is a burnt smell on the fuel/ water temp section of the gauges but no visible damage.
Any thoughts? Throw a new cluster in and good to go?

EDIT: Was playing around plugging it in and I don't believe its any of the gauges... I believe its the chip in the top right on the back of the unit. Any ideas here? Replace this chip if I can find another? Replace the whole unit?

 

[jbeatty09]

Pulled the gauge cluster out and put a new fuse in. When I started the truck with no gauge cluster the fuse didn't blow. Is that sufficient evidence the gauge cluster is the problem?

Tore the gauge cluster apart and there is a burnt smell on the fuel/ water temp section of the gauges but no visible damage.
Any thoughts? Throw a new cluster in and good to go?

EDIT: Was playing around plugging it in and I don't believe its any of the gauges... I believe its the chip in the top right on the back of the unit. Any ideas here? Replace this chip if I can find another? Replace the whole unit?

Did you ever figure it out? I have the exact same problem.

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

@Brian Grohgans & @jbeatty09 the chip that Brian is holding in his post, post #6 of this thread is call a:
" Slosh Module ".

The slosh module controls how fast your gas gauge needle moves.
If your vehicle does not have a slosh module in it, your gas gauge will not work.
They can be bypassed though.
The sloshing around of the gas in your gas tank when you turn corners or go over bumps or whatever would make your gas gauge jump around as if it was on a trampoline if there was not some kind of slosh module.
And if the slosh module is bypassed the gas gauge jumps around a lot.

I don't know if @Brian Grohgans ever fixed his problem or not. This was originally posted in 2013.

I would bet that Brian either figured out what the problem was long before now or got rid of the truck.

I can say that his post is definitely lacking information.
There's no year for the truck and there's also no motor size.
Those two things could help the others to be able to help the person asking for help. Especially the year of the truck.

There is a book titled,
Electrical and Vacuum Troubleshooting Manual.
Or EVTM for short.

You can most likely buy 1 on eBay for your truck.
You will have to put in your truck's year, make and model of course.

I have a 1994 and I got mine for around $30.00.

Good luck.