Volt meter not working

I just got truck couple days ago. All gauges worked fine at time of purchase. Only problem was the “P” and “D” lights were burnt out. So I took out the cluster and put the bulbs from L and 2 in the place of burnt bulbs. Put it back together and thought I was good to go. Today, I drive to work and noticed the volt meter no longer works. It’s not reading low, it’s not reading anything. I plugged in all 4 connectors. Anything I am missing or did I screw something up?
Thanks for the help

 

Stupid question, but was the neg battery cable off when you reconnected? If not, check your fuses. Sparks can blow fuses, and arcs/sparks happen when reconnecting electronics. I think the 10A (15A?) "GAUGE" fuse may be the one, but I could be wrong.

 

No, I didn’t disconnect the negative battery cable. All the other gauges on the cluster work except the volt meter

 

Gas gauge uses resistance to measure, based on float position if I recall, not voltage.
Temp gauge uses resistance also, I believe, not voltage.
Voltage meter likely uses actual voltage, so it's going to have a live feed to it.

Sure, the main cluster may take a voltage input, for things to light up, etc. but you may find the actual gauge input uses a fused voltage lead. I'd need to look at the EWD to see how the voltmeter is wired.

I'd still check the fuses while waiting for a response from others who have your year. Cluster for my year is different in enough ways I can't give a definitive answer.

 

Thanks!
I just checked the fuse, 10A “Gauge” and it was fine. Very odd

 

As @shifty` said, "Sparks can blow fuses".

My first suggestion would be to carefully remove the combination meter and make sure the brown connector(C13) is indeed plugged in good.
If indeed no other gauges/indicators are malfunctioning, you might need to follow the 2002 FSM in how to check VOLT gauge resistance IF you have a VOM(volt ohm meter).

The below pics came from the 2002 FSM and EWD....





The below pic is from my 2004 DC but should be what yours looks like....



Also, the 2002 EWD(electrical wiring diagram) can be downloaded from Tundras.Com compliments of @RainMan_PNW if you needed it.

Ultimate Wiring Diagrams Collection | Toyota Tundra Forum (tundras.com)

 

Thanks Bubba! Much appreciated

 

If only the voltmeter is having a problem, I would pull the dash again, clean the contacts on all the connectors, both male & female,then reassemble making sure the connectors seat nicely together. This sounds like a dirty pin problem!

 

I took the gauges out and tested the resistance. On my POS meter, I get 490 ohms, so I’m guessing my gauge is bad. Just for grins I cleaned the contacts with a q-tip and rubbing alcohol. Still no voltage at the gauge so I guess I need to look for another cluster.

edit: I took the reading with the gauge cluster completely disconnected if that makes a difference. I didn’t measure with it connected

 

Yes, you would need all 4 cables undone so as not to induce ground or voltage. I have never needed to check mine to see if "Approx. 347" ohms that the FSM mentions is accurate but 490 ohms tells me meter is not totally open. I can measure mine sometime tomorrow AM if that will help.
I'll also offer another way to test and that's by applying voltage to the same 2 screws you tested for an ohm reading. I have the below in my arsenal just for matters such as this....9 volt transistor battery. Of course this is best done preferably on work bench or at least with all 4 cables unplugged.

 

Thanks Bubba. I think I’ll rig up a battery tester like you have to see if the needle moves

 

Hey Tom, did you ever come up with anything for this? I picked up a Tundra last year with a voltage gauge that is also inop. I'd love to have it working again; it kills me to have parts not working on the truck.