Formula 305

Hey guys, I have this persistent problem and hopefully someone can shed some light on my problem.

So the problem I'm having is my GAUGE fuse keeps blowing in my 90 Formula. I have removed the gauge cluster and eliminated the cluster itself as a possibility, I read on here there are a few other things that are on the GAUGE fuse. I've tested for shorts to ground in the EGR circuit, Canister Purge Circuit, AIR Diverter valve circuit, AC compressor circuit, VSS circut and TCC circut. If anyone know's where I can find a pinnout for a 1990 Formula Firebird (TBI) that would be helpful for trying to diagnose my problem.

I know its a long shot but maybe someone can suggest a test that I'm overlooking or a module that could be the culprit or something...


Matt

Rockguy

Maybe this will help. Let us know if you find the culprit. If you messed with any wiring in these areas right before the problem started, I'd check there first.

Formula 305

Thanks. I didn't mess with any wiring right before the problem started. Last wiring I did was hooking up the reverse lights & clutch safety switch after the completion of the 5 speed swap, but that was a good 2 months before this problem started, and both those circuits are on different fuses and still operating properly.

I do have wiring diagrams, I have a factory service manual for a 91 Camaro (close enough).

Thanks for the input tho.

I really hate tracking down electrical gremlins

Rockguy

Oh ok. When you asked for a pin out, I was thinking you wanted a diagram. I hear ya on the gremlins. It's hard looking for faults in wiring you can't even see. There are some short finders on the market but, unless you work on cars for a living, you don't really think about having one til you need it.

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

If I had to start looking for this, it would be in the TCC circuit. It is on the gauge fuse. What did you do with the wire that connected to the transmission? Here is a little better diagram.

Formula 305

Rock guy, I was hoping someone had a diagram of the connectors for the cluster, the camaro book has them but they're a little different.

Joe Tag, the 3 wire plug that connected to the transmission is zip tied to the frame right now. I tested that plug and didn't find any connection to ground on any of the 3 wires, so I thought that was OK

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

Can't find anything on a 90 bird, but this is for an 88 analog cluster. http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/7...ularegular.jpg
This has wiring from the fuse block on a 90.
http://austinthirdgen.org/mkportal/m..._continued.gif
Wish I could be more help.

rusty vango

there are wiring diffrences between a f b and a Camaro. not many, but enough to maybe trip you up.so be aware.

willexoIX

Don't laugh but is your cigarette lighter plugged in? Take a look inside the socket and you will probably notice that the metal tabs have started to separate, causing contact from one side to the other. I had the same exact problem and it was caused by the cig lighter constantly making contact, which constantly blew the gauge fuse.

Worth a shot.

Formula 305

Cig lighter still works and is on a different circuit.

Formula 305

Finally found my issue, and of course it was something stupid. The pigtail for the brake switch (the one that controls the torque converter, not the one that controls the lights) was rubbing on a bracket for the clutch pedal and had worn away the insulation. I feel stupid it took me so long to find, but I'm so relieved its finally fixed!

Formula 305

Thank the third gen gods. Now to get back to whats important

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

Why feel stupid? This probably only happened when you hit the brakes. Would be much harder to find. Stupid is when your gauges don't work and you spend days running wires down, tear the dash apart, pull some hair because you only visually checked a fuse. First thing I did was I pulled it out and it clearly had a wire all the way from terminal to terminal. On a whim I just threw a new fuse in there because I was out of ideas. Lesson learned. I took an Eastwing to that fuse so it never made it's way back to any car.