speedometer/gas meter/oil gague not working

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cacawate@gmail.com - 29 Jan 2007 02:05 GMT

My truck (2001 Silverado) was broken into and had the stereo ripped
out. They also seemed to have cut the red and black wires leading to
the power supply (I'm guessing). Now my speedometer, oil gague, gas
meter, etc. aren't coming on. I have no idea what it could be. Please
help me out here.

Thanks

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William R. Walsh - 29 Jan 2007 05:23 GMT

Hi!

> I have no idea what it could be. Please help me out here.

I would suggest you insulate the damaged wiring in some way and then check
your fuses. It's likely that one blew when the radio was coming out and
maybe it killed the gauges as well.

Or you were unfortunate enough to have some complete dummies who thought
they'd better cut every wire in sight...in which case you'll have to look
around and see what else might be broken.

Replace the fuse with a properly rated replacement. Don't be tempted to
short across the terminals. If there is still something wrong it could get
very hot in a hurry and start a fire.

William

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cacawate@gmail.com - 29 Jan 2007 06:47 GMT

On Jan 28, 9:23 pm, "William R. Walsh"
<newsgrou...@idontwantjunqueemail.walshcomptech.com> wrote:

First off, thanks for the prompt response!

> Hi!
>
> I would suggest you insulate the damaged wiring in some way and then check
> your fuses. It's likely that one blew when the radio was coming out and
> maybe it killed the gauges as well.

Yeah, I just tried twisting the cut wires together, without insulating
them in anyway. I'll try insulating them ASAP. I checked all the fuses
I could think of and they looked clean; brand new, even. Can I tell if
a fuse is blown just by looking at it? Also, the fuse diagram is full
of acronyms -- half of which I can't even begin to decifer. Is there
one main fuse for all of the gauges, or will there be seperate ones
for each gauge?

> Or you were unfortunate enough to have some complete dummies who thought
> they'd better cut every wire in sight...in which case you'll have to look
> around and see what else might be broken.

They only cut the black and the red wires that were leading to the
radio (I can't comprehend why).

> Replace the fuse with a properly rated replacement. Don't be tempted to
> short across the terminals. If there is still something wrong it could get
> very hot in a hurry and start a fire.

I haven't replaced any fuses yet, but what does it mean to short
accross a terminal? Just for future reference if it is my fuse that is
the problem.

Again, thank you so much for responding to my post. It's really nice
to have the convenience of the internet and helpful people, such as
yourself, in these situations.

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William R. Walsh - 31 Jan 2007 04:02 GMT

Hi!

> Can I tell if a fuse is blown just by looking at it?

Generally speaking, yes. The section in the middle of the fuse between the
two "legs" is where it has been manufactured to fail when shorted or
overloaded. However, there are times where a fuse can be intermittent or
blow in an area other than where it "should".

If you aren't sure, try using a volt-ohmmeter to check the fuse after you've
taken it out of the fuse holder. If you don't have such a meter, you can buy
one for less than $20. Hardware stores, Radio Shack or home improvement
stores should have something that will work fine.

> Also, the fuse diagram is full of acronyms -- half of which I can't even

begin to

> decifer.

If you have the manual for your truck, it should tell you what all the fuses
do. If not, you might see about borrowing one from someone. Many of the
items in the fuse box are simply abbreviations...for example, "RDO" would be
radio.

> Is there one main fuse for all of the gauges, or will there be seperate

ones

> for each gauge?

I'm pretty sure there is only one fuse for this stuff.

> They only cut the black and the red wires that were leading to the
> radio (I can't comprehend why).

Was it an aftermarket radio or the factory set?

Some GM vehicles have used the radio to control various other items in the
vehicle, or to provide adjustments for certain things. I don't think that
2001 is new enough to be covered by this, but you might ask a dealership.

> I haven't replaced any fuses yet, but what does it mean to short
> accross a terminal? Just for future reference if it is my fuse that is
> the problem.

Shorting across a terminal is pretty much what it sounds like. :-) You would
take something that conducts electricity and use it to connect two contact
points, such as those in a fuse holder. Doing something like this is very
occasionally a valid troubleshooting procedure, but most any wire or
conductive object you might use will conduct much more current than the fuse
would normally allow to flow. If something is really wrong somewhere in the
circuit, something might go bang, start a fire or cause the wires leading to
it to become hot and melt.

> Again, thank you so much for responding to my post. It's really nice
> to have the convenience of the internet and helpful people, such as
> yourself, in these situations.

I hope you can get your truck fixed fairly quickly. I would be interested in
hearing how it turns out.

William

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