I have a 1977 Dodge Tradesman 100, 225 slant 6. Twice now the gear cluster has started on fire and blew out the voltage regulator. I am not much of a mechanic but we had it in the shop twice and it hasn't been fixed. I have called all over the world for a engine wiring harness, dash wiring harness and gear cluster to just replace the problematic wiring, but alas, I cannot find these parts anywhere. Most mechanic shops won't re-wire it differently to bypass the issue so I am stumped as what to do. Mechanically it is a sound vehicle, not to mention my baby.... but electrically it is a real stinker.... any ideas? There was a point as well where the battery juice was bubbling up all over. There was a small fire in the gear cluster that has the oil, fuel, etc. gauges. Also the voltage regulator burnt a black spot on the metal where it was attached. How much electrical can there be on such an old model that is manual everything almost? Help!

Moonshadow[/img]

My barracuda had an event very close to yours............. the voltage reg,ecu all the light bulbs ..........blew a hole in the ecu and most of the dash wiring. It came down to a very simple fix. a Mopar engine and compartment should be grounded in three places, the heads to the firewall the block to the fire wall and a ground wire from the battery negative. post to the radiator support.
This solved all the problems It was a pretty scary event going 70 down the interstate. Took me a while to re-wire but no troubles since the FIX.
Keep checking E-Bay and you'll find the harnesses. You can do it yourself one wire at a time.
best of luck and regards
max

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1966 barracuda 360
1964 signet conv. 170 turbo
Bonneville or Bust 2012

Hello,
you do mean Instrument cluster do'nt you ?
a gear cluster is located inside a manual transmission,and is very unlikely to catch fire.
A handy reference for automotive terms is here
this is a gear cluster.

It helps to use the correct terminology to avoid confusion.

regards,Rod

Also for van specific problems and lots of good helpful info/people try
www.vannin.com Lots of Dodge folks over there(me included)and a good place to find info on the crummy B series wiring.Dodge vans have a not so good BulkHead connector for the wiring which can be addressed with new connectors and such.Unless you get real lucky your best bet is rewiring it yourself or grafting in a good used wireloom.If you register at vannin search user name 'Ram4ever' as he had some real nice pictures and write-up on Dodge van wiring.Wecome here and good luck.Oh and check where the wires plug into the back of instrument cluster as the little pins get corrosion buildup and break and check condition of the printed copper-foil on back cluster.

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83 B-150 slant 6,4 speed. 79 B-300 360 pathfinder 4x4. 74 W-300 318 4x4 git-r-done 80 B-100 sl6,4speed

great advice!.............forgot about those pesky firewall connectors
Onward through the fog!
max

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1966 barracuda 360
1964 signet conv. 170 turbo
Bonneville or Bust 2012