Dash cluster questions

[clinchboy]

Newbie Here!
I have just purchased my first Chevy truck. The problems I have is that someone stole my dash cluster, I have picked up a replacement at the bone yard. When I plug it in the motor dies. Thinking I had a bad unit I purchased another used cluster, installed it and the truck would not start, removed the cluster and the truck fired up. Is there a security code for the cluster or am I doing something wrong?

[Bob T]

Year? Model?

[clinchboy]

sorry. I have a 1991 c1500 automatic 4.3 liter

[JohnO356]

Are you sure you were sold '91 clusters? Did the truck originally have the "moonie" gauges (early '91), or needle gauges (late '91). If you had moonies and that's what you're buying, remember the '88 and '89 gauges looked identical to the early '91, but the wiring MAY be different.

[clinchboy]

Is there a way to tell from the VIN which gages I need? I only had the truck a few days when the cluster was stolen...I really do not remember what they looked like. Thank you for your help

[JohnO356]

Well, you could check with your local Chevy dealer concerning the VIN, but I don't think they can track them that far back. Does your truck have the label on door frame showing the build date? That might give you an idea of cluster type.

[hornsfan10609]

You will know the kind of cluster you had when you see it, you either had the moonies or gauges with needles. You must find a 91 cluster if you want it to plug right in and work fine, i'm not sure why the truck won't start with a cluster in though.

[clinchboy]

The production date is 04/91 So I am thinki8ng it is the early version?

[hornsfan10609]

Moonies:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f27/94cobra320/DSC00386-1.jpg
Tach:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f27/94cobra320/6394579648240099536IM106565x421_A56.jpg
The moonies are much easier to find however the 88-89 models had different wiring configurations so they won't work right when you plug them in. Find a 91 cluster to prevent future headaches.

[JohnO356]

Yeah, I'd say your truck had moonies. Maybe someone on this site has old parts lists and would be able to come up with the part number you need for the early '91 gauge. Why don't you start a new thread, something like "Need part number for '91 moonie cluster". Someone may even have one lying around.

[Striker49]

The cluster is cake to rewire if you can't come up with moons or if you would rather keep the needles. I personally hated my moons and enjoy a factory tach alot more then an aftermarket one. There is an article on the boards around here somewhere with the wiring diagram.

Another problem you'll run into is the speedo calibration unless you fluke into a cluster that came out of the truck with the same tire/gear ratio setup. You can luck into reprogrammers, but they're EXPENSIVE.

[JohnO356]

I never gave the calibration a thought in my responses. Good catch.

[clinchboy]

Thank you all for your help. Please keep me in mind if you see an early 91 set...nothing within 200 miles of here in Western NC. I purchased the set from an 88 and like I said the front drivers side parking light will burn real bright and the truck will not start. If the truck is running and you plug the cluster in it will kill the motor.
I would realy love to be driving it...but you must have a complete dast panel with gauges to pass inspection.
Thanks again

[cancritter]

keep your eye out for a 91 tach cluster....they are plug and play..bin der done dat

and on that note have noticed you have 4.3 so it may not work if it comes from a v8,,make shure whatever cluster you get is for a 4,3

[JohnO356]

The parking light burning bright doesn't make any sense to me. Can't see it being relevant to the cluster.