MacNeal dash issues

[RJW]

The first upgrade I made to my GMC back in September 1998 was to install a MacNeal dash from his company:
http://custominstrumentpanels.com/gmc.htm

I have no real complaints but I've had some issues with the dash over the years. The dash is about 20 years out of warranty.

I replaced the speedometer in 2013 because the odometer stopped working. Several of the gauges, including volts, oil pressure, suspension air tank
pressure all read a bit off actual values, but I've learned to live with that over the past 20+ years.

However, the fuel pump switch apparently stopped working which is bad with EFI. As part of my initial startup I used to switch the pump off, crank
the engine until I saw oil pressure, then turn the pump on to start. I did that to lubricate the engine, as part of my pre-start routine. Otherwise
the engine starts immediately with EFI and I've heard much of engine wear occurs during initial startup before oil is being pumped through out the
motor. Q-jet carbs do that automatically. Now I can't do that.

Now my gas gauge stopped working properly, as it reads full on both thanks. I know that means an open circuit in the wiring. Since the symptom is
the same on both tanks, I’m thinking there is a problem with the actual gas gage or the fuel tank selector switch in my MacNeal dash.

I wonder if others with MacNeal dashes have had similar problems with gauges and switches.

--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water
heaters.

 

[jim kanomata1]

Your going to have issues with any instruments unless you spend high
dollars.
Mac is caught in a place of offering a product that is affordable to most.
We sell his dashes and seen the work for 20-30 years.
Jim Bounds uses Mac's dashes .

> The first upgrade I made to my GMC back in September 1998 was to install a
> MacNeal dash from his company:
> http://custominstrumentpanels.com/gmc.htm
>
> I have no real complaints but I've had some issues with the dash over the
> years. The dash is about 20 years out of warranty.
>
> I replaced the speedometer in 2013 because the odometer stopped working.
> Several of the gauges, including volts, oil pressure, suspension air tank
> pressure all read a bit off actual values, but I've learned to live with
> that over the past 20+ years.
>
> However, the fuel pump switch apparently stopped working which is bad with
> EFI. As part of my initial startup I used to switch the pump off, crank
> the engine until I saw oil pressure, then turn the pump on to start. I
> did that to lubricate the engine, as part of my pre-start routine. Otherwise
> the engine starts immediately with EFI and I've heard much of engine wear
> occurs during initial startup before oil is being pumped through out the
> motor. Q-jet carbs do that automatically. Now I can't do that.
>
> Now my gas gauge stopped working properly, as it reads full on both
> thanks. I know that means an open circuit in the wiring. Since the
> symptom is
> the same on both tanks, I’m thinking there is a problem with the actual
> gas gage or the fuel tank selector switch in my MacNeal dash.
>
> I wonder if others with MacNeal dashes have had similar problems with
> gauges and switches.
>
>
>
> --
> Richard
> 76 Palm Beach
> SE Michigan
> www.PalmBeachGMC.com
>
>
> Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum
> system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water
> heaters.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

--
Jim Kanomata ASE
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502

 

[Matt Colie]

Richard,

I happen to have a very unfortunate familiarity with this part of the coach.
If both fuel gauges went full at the same time, then there is an extremely high probability that if it is not the instrument, then the problem is
between there and the selector switch. Diagnosis should be real easy. Just clip a lead on a good ground a probe the back of the instrument and then
the common on the switch. One of those should make it say empty. If the problem is not there, I bet we can nail it down in short order, but it will
require getting dirty.

Matt

--
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit

 

[RJW]

> Richard,
>
> I happen to have a very unfortunate familiarity with this part of the coach.
> If both fuel gauges went full at the same time, then there is an extremely high probability that if it is not the instrument, then the problem is
> between there and the selector switch. Diagnosis should be real easy. Just clip a lead on a good ground a probe the back of the instrument and
> then the common on the switch. One of those should make it say empty. If the problem is not there, I bet we can nail it down in short order, but
> it will require getting dirty.
>
> Matt

Matt,
I'll try that.

Thanks,
--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water
heaters.

 

[Rob]

My Mac dash is from the 2005 time frame (before I owned it) and while the gauges are obviously K-Mart quality level - I've really had no issues up to now. I've replaced a few of them - to measure different things and/or remove the air bag line pressure gauge. I've also had at least one switch fail - Boost, if I recall correctly.

I'm sure that now that I'm replying to your query, my next camping season will be one gauge failing after the next...

Rob
76 Royale Twin Beds, Dry Bath
Victoria, BC

>
> The first upgrade I made to my GMC back in September 1998 was to install a MacNeal dash from his company:
> http://custominstrumentpanels.com/gmc.htm
>
> I have no real complaints but I've had some issues with the dash over the years. The dash is about 20 years out of warranty.
>
> I replaced the speedometer in 2013 because the odometer stopped working. Several of the gauges, including volts, oil pressure, suspension air tank
> pressure all read a bit off actual values, but I've learned to live with that over the past 20+ years.
>
> However, the fuel pump switch apparently stopped working which is bad with EFI. As part of my initial startup I used to switch the pump off, crank
> the engine until I saw oil pressure, then turn the pump on to start. I did that to lubricate the engine, as part of my pre-start routine. Otherwise
> the engine starts immediately with EFI and I've heard much of engine wear occurs during initial startup before oil is being pumped through out the
> motor. Q-jet carbs do that automatically. Now I can't do that.
>
> Now my gas gauge stopped working properly, as it reads full on both thanks. I know that means an open circuit in the wiring. Since the symptom is
> the same on both tanks, I’m thinking there is a problem with the actual gas gage or the fuel tank selector switch in my MacNeal dash.
>
> I wonder if others with MacNeal dashes have had similar problems with gauges and switches.
>
>
>
> --
> Richard
> 76 Palm Beach
> SE Michigan
> www.PalmBeachGMC.com
>
>
> Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water
> heaters.