Chrysler Repair: 90 Lebaron dash dead., electrolytic capacitor, ohmmeter

Question
Hi Roland i'm back.
I pulled the cluster apart and found 5 dead resistors and blowed 4 more myself by probing with a 12V power supply.
My question is what is the proper way to test a panel, by
using a 12V supply and use a voltmeter or to use a ohmmeter
to check for continuity? Thanks.

Answer
Hi William,
I just suggested that you look at the circuit board to see if you saw any signs of an electrolytic capacitor that might have broken down which leaves a wet spot underneath it. If you are going to test components you need a high impendence volt-ohmmeter and you typically have to temporarily unsolder some components in order to test them outside of the circuit to which they are attached. If you don't have experience with this kind of testing I would not do it without getting some instruction on how it is done. You don't test components with 12V supply as that will often overload the component as you have learned. Resistors are checked with an ohmmeter, as are capacitors but you need to know how to set the ohmmeter and what to look for when you test capacitors. And you usually need to disconnect one of the leads so that you aren't measuring the circuit but rather measuring the individual component. I would wonder if you might have damaged some other components like a transistor if you applied 12V to the circuit to which it was attached. It may be just a frustration for you now to replace the burned out resistors only to find that these other components may also be faulty and which may not be identified sufficiently to find a replacement. My inclination would be to look for a used unit that is working or returnable if not, from a wrecking yard or from eBay.
Roland