buttstuffog cluster question

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buttstuffog cluster question

April 17, 2017, 09:22:57 AM

I currently have the buttstuffog cluster out of my car to replace the old white face gauge overlays with a new set. I got the new overlays installed, cleaned everything up, and then just did a quick "test" re-install last night.

Question - does anyone know (or can you confirm) that the below spiral cable on the back of the cluster is some type of heat sink? I plugged the cluster in and turned on my lights to illuminate the gauges and double check all of my bulbs. The lights were on for maybe a minute or so before I removed the cluster from the car again. When I reached back in to do so, this cable was pretty darn hot ... enough to burn skin upon touch. I just wanted to see if anyone knew if this was supposed to be that hot or if I have some type of issue brewing. All of the bulbs are standard replacements.

buttstuffog cluster question

Reply #1 – April 17, 2017, 02:15:18 PM

Mine gets really hot too.

Edit - Here is a thread about it that I remember from a while back.
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?34327-buttstuffog-cluster-*solve-that-heat-problem*-on-the-big-3-long-reisistor

buttstuffog cluster question

Reply #2 – April 18, 2017, 12:30:19 PM

Quote from: 85CougarCobra;460357

I currently have the buttstuffog cluster out of my car to replace the old white face gauge overlays with a new set. I got the new overlays installed, cleaned everything up, and then just did a quick "test" re-install last night.

Question - does anyone know (or can you confirm) that the below spiral cable on the back of the cluster is some type of heat sink? I plugged the cluster in and turned on my lights to illuminate the gauges and double check all of my bulbs. The lights were on for maybe a minute or so before I removed the cluster from the car again. When I reached back in to do so, this cable was pretty darn hot ... enough to burn skin upon touch. I just wanted to see if anyone knew if this was supposed to be that hot or if I have some type of issue brewing. All of the bulbs are standard replacements.

I had the same heating problem with the buttstuffog cluster in my TC. I knew about the problem but still managed to burn my fingertips when I removed it from my car. Eliminated the whole issue when I rebuilt my cluster using Autometer gauges.

buttstuffog cluster question

Reply #3 – April 29, 2017, 12:50:53 PM

Thanks for the info and link. So, from searching other posts it seems that this resistor is supposed to get that hot. I also read a couple of posts where folks recommend just removing this altogether. Is that a viable option? What other issues are you opening yourself up to by doing so? I bought some soapstone and pulled the cluster back out of the car ... just debating how I want to move forward now.