instrument panel voltage regulator

[johnzajc@gmail.com]

Hi and Happy Easter-----I have flickering lights on my instrument panel and gauges---I would say it is time to replace Instrument Panel Voltage Regulator----quetion # 1 is printed board and regulator all in one piece or can I replace regulator separately---# 2 perhaps would anyone have good tip to do it accurately--- Thanks---John      1969 Shelby GT 500

[67350#1242]

I'm pretty sure the instrument panel lights are not powered by the regulator.  They are 12 volts.   My guess is that you may have a loose connection or loose ground.  Get in there and wiggle stuff around with the lights on.
Kurt.

[Karguy]

You might also consider checking your headlight switch. The potentiometer in your switch for adjusting the dash lights could be your problem.

[rhjanes]

You might also consider checking your headlight switch. The potentiometer in your switch for adjusting the dash lights could be your problem.

Could be this.  You can try having the car running or key on and turn the knob back and forth about 10 times.  Knock the corrosion off. 
As stated, the instrument volt regulator makes it so the instruments get a constant voltage, I think 5.  But yes, the Volt Reg can be replaced by itself.  Biggest work is just getting to it but then it's like swapping a 9 Volt battery out. 

[Side-Oilers]

+1 on the headlight switch rheostat.

[johnzajc@gmail.com]

Thnks all for help---have tried it all--no luck--will let U know when I figure it out

[Lincoln tech]

Possible charging system problem , unplug voltage regulator while running and see if it goes away ( easy test )

[johnzajc@gmail.com]

Car starts no problem, all interior lights ok, just no instrument  panel and gauges. Tomorrow will buy another board but not sure if cluster regulator is separate or is part of the board. I do know that i can buy cluster voltage regulator separately [CLAZ-1O804] BUT how difficult is it to install   

[Bob Gaines]

Car starts no problem, all interior lights ok, just no instrument  panel and gauges. Tomorrow will buy another board but not sure if cluster regulator is separate or is part of the board. I do know that i can buy cluster voltage regulator separately [CLAZ-1O804] BUT how difficult is it to install

John, first you said flickering lights and now instrument lights. You have probably already done this but just in case have you replaced the fuse for the instrument lights? It is a easy test if you haven't.

[johnzajc@gmail.com]

HI---by flickering I meant lights on instrument panel and gauges on console---at this point I have checked everything that anyone recommended and tomorrow I will remove the instrument panel , I strongly suspect that culprit is cluster voltage regulator---the consoling thing is actually the feeling of comradery with overwhelming respond from members---thanks 

[rhjanes]

I just reread all this and I'm confused.
You seem to say dash lights in places, then gauges.  Do you mean the dash lights and the LIGHTS for the gauges?  If so, then it's not the instrument voltage regulator.  If the instrument voltage regulator is going out/shot, then your gauges "drift" up and down.  The needles/indicators drift up and down, or stay down.  If the gauge needles peg hard to the right, then they are grounded out.  But that gauge voltage regulator has nothing to do with a Dash Light issue. 

That all said, with the dash apart looking for loose wires on the lights, cracks in the plastic thing (I'm forgetting the name of it) that carries the current to all the gauges AND lights, loose grounds.....well you might as well put in a new gauge voltage regulator.  But a light problem isn't the regulator. 

And remember, if you don't find a definitive cause, then you also don't know which of 10 things you did, actually fixed it. 

[Lincoln tech]

The plastic thing is called "Printed circuit board" and yes instrument voltage regulator ( cvr ) has nothing to do with gauge illumination , at this point it's not clear what problem he's having

[Royce Peterson]

Often the fuse panel gets rusty and no power gets to the instrument lights. The fuse terminals can be polished with a Drexel tool. There is no relationship between the panel lamps and the Instrument Voltage Regulator. The modern replacements work poorly.