No power to guages (1992)

[DrtyBrd]

I'm looking to buy a 1992 firebird with a 3.1 V6. I'm holding off because I don't know what it would take to fix the guages. Guy selling the car says all the guages stopped working all at once. Not sure if the dash lights work or not. The head lights, tail lights, interior dome light all work.
I drove the car and everything seems sound. Anyone know what to look for if the guages are dead???

[MP81]

Fuse?

[DrtyBrd]

Would a fuse take out all the guages at once?

[MP81]

I think there's a "gauge" fuse.

[DrtyBrd]

I hope it's so easy! I'm affraid it's going to turn into a wire tracing nightmare. I really like the car but...

[Mightywarrior14]

Most likely a fuse, or two wires might have crossed and burned I had that happen to my firbird and if there burnt there very easy to spot

[DrtyBrd]

Thanks Dave. That makes me feel a little better. I pick up the car tomorrow morning.

[DrtyBrd]

The car is home but not without issues. It overheated part way home. I had to wait an hour before it cooled down and would restart. Non of the guages are working so watching the engine temp was not an option.
I checked the fuse panel under the dash, all fuses are OK. Could there be fuses anywhere else on the car? Another thing is that the odometer does not move...Does this give anyone any ideas to my situation? I would love to be able to getto a meet this year if possible!

[DrtyBrd]

No one has an idea?!?! WOW, I thought someone would know.
Goes into the shop tomorrow morning.

[meissen]

To me it sounds like there's a miswiring in the gauge harness. Maybe an aftermarket alarm or something that was wired wrong?

[DrtyBrd]

Bingo!
The shop found a corroded wire from the fuse box back to a wire harness that used to be connected to an after market alarm.

[1hot91]

When i bought my first 91 in 99 the car had the same issue. 60k miles and no power options were working or guages. that was a little easier to understand but when the guages are isolated it can be a bit more difficult. glad to hear you fixed it, 1st thing to check was the fuses though as that happend on 2 of my 91s and it was as simple as a 15 amp fuse. hope they didn't rape you to find that out for you!