Dakota gauge install

Discussion in 'Sparky's corner' started by Big Dave, Jun 29, 2018.

  1. Big Dave

    Big Dave Active Member

    I'm stuck I am trying to install Dakota Digital gauges in my 71 Skylark custom. Does anyone have a wiring diagram for a 71 Skylark dash gauges. I have a manufactures manual but you guest it, it's missing the pages I need. if you have pdf file or anything Please email it to me @ Waredlw3078@aol.com. Until then I'm not going fast with class anywhere.

    Thanks
    Big Dave
     
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Isn't it a stand alone installation? Why would you need a wiring diagram? Where are you stuck?
     
  3. Big Dave

    Big Dave Active Member

    I need to connect wire's from the existing wire harness to the control module. The gauges are stand alone. They use a cat 5 cable from the control box to the gauge housing
     
  4. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    What you need is in the 71 Buick Chassis Manual. You don't have one?
     
  5. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    I just sent a pdf of the instrument panel section of the 71 Buick chassis manual to your e mail. Hope that helps.
     
  6. Big Dave

    Big Dave Active Member

    Yes it did,Thank you very much
     
  7. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

  8. Big Dave

    Big Dave Active Member

    will do, Thanks again
    Big Dave
     
  9. Electra Bob

    Electra Bob Well-Known Member

    I installed a set of Dakota gauges in the Electra and it takes a little patience :)

    Which set did you get and how far along with the installation are you?

    One of the biggest decisions is where to mount the main control box and speed sensor control box. Wherever you mount them you will probably need to extend some of the connections. I could not find a complete set of matching colors so had to get creative and jump to a non-standard color like purple. Write down *everything*

    My methodology was to go over and over the wiring diagrams until I knew exactly where to make connections then use a multi-meter to sanity check expected ground and voltages - with ignition off, on and engine running.

    Then make a list of vehicle wire to extension wire colors. Draw diagrams until they make sense. Write down a list of the control box connections and what color wire will go to it. Check everything a zillion times :)

    When it comes to buying wire make sure you get the right gauge. If it says WG and not AWG then it's probably (Chinese) Wire Grade and not good enough. I used WireBarn.com for all American made properly rated products.

    For wire extension connections I started out using snap on connectors. After a good proportion of them failed to make good connections I reverted to soldering and heat sleeving all joins. This is solid and also takes up less space. Solder tin all wire ends to avoid loose strands when poked into the tiny control box connections. I used a good solid ground connection and brought that to a common connection block.

    It was a lot longer job than I was expecting but you can't take chances with wiring so patience is a virtue. Check, check and check again.

    It was worth the effort to have some meaningful feedback on what was going on under the hood. I knew the engine was running hot but had no idea how hot and seeing good oil pressure at all temperatures was very reassuring.

    Feel free to shoot me any questions and good luck!

    Cheers
    Bob
     
    Harlockssx likes this.

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