1984 Dash Cluster

[Dandylion Deb]

Well, it's getting time to rip apart my dash! Monday I'm getting a new windshield and all new foam weatherstripping. I have a new dashboard and all kinds of components to put in. I've been shopping all Winter! As long as my dash is ripped apart, I want to have the dash cluster repaired. It sounds like a typical problem, the numbers show up very dim and the turn signal lights and high beam light are on all the time. I'm going to check for burnt out bulbs, but I doubt that is the problem from what I have been researching.

Now, for my question....
Is there a place in the Chicagoland area that does dash cluster repairs rather than sending it in somewhere out of state? I would like to take it in myself, if possible, instead of doing the waiting game.

Thanks to everyone for all the information I have been reading here in the forums. You have been a great help to me in restoring the interior of my "Baby"!

Debbie
aka Dandylion Deb

 

[Ken]

Sorry, can't help you in the Chicago area, but I can guarantee you that there's going to be more than one person here that's gonna tell you to rebuild it yourself.

Good luck!

 

[Top]

Turn Signals and High Beams lights are positive proof of a bad ground according to Gordon Killebrew's book on the dash. Before you spend big bucks, check your grounds. I spliced the two together at the dash and went to the door piller ground and bypassed the amibent air ground wire. That is the one that is the normal bad one. It's late, I can give you more info tomorrow if you need it.

Cheers

 

[JonM]

Send it to Ken...he's

 

[kmcewan]

Digital dash

I agree with others have said. Almost certain its a ground/dirty connector issue.

After I had similar problems, I took mine apart, cleaned all the contacts replaced all the bulbs and it has worked like new since.


A lot cheaper than sending it out.

Ken

 

[geekinavette]

Like Chris said, the ground on the passenger's side door hinge area is likely the cause of the lights that are staying on, that's the illumination ground. There is another cluster (signal) ground on the trans bellhousing (driver's side). The dim display is most likely being caused by a bad photocell (another very common problem). Does the display brighten up if you turn the park/headlights on? I have a write-up somewhere on using a Radio Shack photocell to repair it. I can dig that up if you like. The board-to-board connector is also a common source of problems. Check to make sure that all of the pins are making good contact, and it doesn't hurt to hit the solder connections with an iron.

Bill

 

[Dandylion Deb]

Thanks again for all your help. After I get my new windshield put in on Monday, replacing the dashboard is next. That's when I'll take out the cluster and try everything you suggested. I'll let you know how it goes.

Debbie