"Idiot Light" Question

Discussion in 'Technical' started by TeeEl, Jul 7, 2025.

  1. TeeEl

    TeeEl Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2019
    Messages:
    1,000
    Likes Received:
    619
    Trophy Points:
    272
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    '73 Ford Maverick Resto-Mod (Home-made "Pony Car")
    Two years ago, I bought a reproduction instrument cluster circuit board for my Maverick. Well I finally got around to installing it. Everything works except for the Temp light. It was working with the old circuit board. It does not illuminate with the key On or in "bulb test" mode. I know the bulb is good, because when I ground the sending unit wire directly, the light comes on with key On, but when the wire is connected to the sending unit, the light does not illuminate. It appears that the only light illuminating in "Bulb Test" mode (cranking the engine) is the Brake light. 'Any idea what could be the cause for this?
    Did I get a bad circuit board? I have a Temp gauge, so I don't need an "idiot light", but I would really like for everything to function, especially since this circuit board is new...
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2025
  2. Craig Selvey

    Craig Selvey Indiana State Rep - MCCI

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2002
    Messages:
    18,345
    Likes Received:
    1,397
    Trophy Points:
    878
    Location:
    Albany, Indiana
    Vehicle:
    1972 Maverick Grabber - Color: Orange Also, 1976 Ford Maverick 4-door, 1977 Mercury Comet 2-door.
    I would guess it is the circuit board.
     
  3. TeeEl

    TeeEl Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2019
    Messages:
    1,000
    Likes Received:
    619
    Trophy Points:
    272
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    '73 Ford Maverick Resto-Mod (Home-made "Pony Car")
    Me too, but it's a mystery to me why litetally everything else works except for "bulb test" during cranking...
     
  4. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2012
    Messages:
    7,796
    Likes Received:
    2,481
    Trophy Points:
    531
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Chesapeake VA
    Vehicle:
    1972 Comet GT clone 306 . 1969 Fairlane Cobra 428CJ 1988 T-Bird awaiting 331 ..
    Since prove out worked prior too board swap 99.9% there is a difference in board. I highlighted the circuit, apparently there is a problem with 39A, aqua. Light operates by grounding 39A to 57 in prove out. Red (640) is power to lamps, though isn't clear where that originates.

    Maverick warning lights color.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    TeeEl likes this.
  5. TeeEl

    TeeEl Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2019
    Messages:
    1,000
    Likes Received:
    619
    Trophy Points:
    272
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    '73 Ford Maverick Resto-Mod (Home-made "Pony Car")
    Thanks for that diagram...
     
    Krazy Comet likes this.
  6. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2012
    Messages:
    7,796
    Likes Received:
    2,481
    Trophy Points:
    531
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Chesapeake VA
    Vehicle:
    1972 Comet GT clone 306 . 1969 Fairlane Cobra 428CJ 1988 T-Bird awaiting 331 ..
    I failed to mention problem could be with circuit 57, ground.

    If that's missing, broken, wrong pin etc, prove out cannot operate.
     
    TeeEl likes this.

Share This Page