Dash units, can I just swap?

[HStocker]

When I bought my 2nd 83 Venture the computerized warning system has worked inconsistantly. Was also told by previous owner that head light was wired to bypass a relay that was not working. Headlight has now gone dim. Replace bulb but still not bright. Was going to replace CMS unit with one from my parts bike which was working when parts bike became a parts bike, but wondering if i could just replace whole dash unit. Dashes aren't the same as you can see.

[Condor]

That's what I did. I didn't have as many problems as you, but the low beam was dim. I by-passed it by running on high beam and adjusting it down. However, I ran across a minty dash assembly off an '83VR on eBay and swapped them out. The lights started working again, plus the replacement had half the mileage on the odo. The only thing I can see that might be a problem for you is the po's jury rigging of the headlight circuit, and trying to figure out what he did?? Another problem you might run into is finding a clean dash off an '83?? Not sure if the '84 and '85 years will plug and play??

[Prairiehammer]

As you have seen, the dash/instrument panel are different over the years. The 1983 instrument panel was unique. Only year like it.

 

As for the inconsistency in the CMS, it is most likely in need of a resolder and connector cleaning.

 

As for the headlight, if there is not a bad filament (there are two, high and low beam), then check the plug connector at the bulb base, cleaning as needed. Inspect the 'modification' done by PO for good connection, hopefully it is nicely soldered and insulated.

 

Finally, the 'relay' the PO spoke of is probably the Reserve Lighting unit. A failure of the RLU will give you the result you are experiencing with the headlight, but the RLU is supposedly bypassed? Perhaps, it isn't, or the bypass has failed.

 

Bottom line, don't be too quick to swap out the instrument panel before doing further diagnosing.

Edited July 18, 2014 by Prairiehammer

[icebrrg3rd]

Quick answer, YES you can swap them out. Longer answer, you need to re-wire it.

 

If you have the plugs for the back of the "new" gauge cluster from the parts bike, you can match up the wires color-to-color to get it to work. At this time you can add the 5 wires for the gear indicator too, you would just need the switch that replaces the neutral-only switch, hidden down behind your clutch slave.

 

I did mine w/o removing the '83 harness plugs, in case I wanted to go back to the old gauge cluster. Kinda a mess but it's all hidden under the fairing.

 

-Andrew

 

p.s. I kept the '83 speedo & tach (swapped them into the '84 cluster) because I liked the look over the '84 ones. Plus it kept my mileage accurate. I do miss the always-on clock the '83 dash has tho.

[HStocker]

Thanks to all for the helpful info. The previous owner had run a wire from the rigth side front marker to the low beam headligth wire and 3m clipped it. This worked fine untill now. Fuse for marker and tailight assemblies which was now powering the headlight as well had blown resuliting in very dim light. Removed this lead, replaced the blown fuse, resodered the CMS. Upon reinstalling CMS new set of issues. No tailight, front markers work, Low powered low beam, High beam works, CMS indicators some times flash, some times off, some times on. Ended up running wire from side marker to tail lights. They now work. Went for test ride. CMS stopped indicating problems as ride progressed, low beam began working correctly, high beam continues to work. Even gas gage seems to work. Useable for now. I plan on replaceing the fuse block and CMS after the riding season ends or on a rainy weekend. Once again Thanks!!http://www.venturerider.org/forum/images/smilies/fingers-crossed-emoticon.gif