Bulb is out

[Achilles]

On my 86 coupe I have a burned out bulb in my tach guage. I'd like to pull the guage cluster out to replace the bulb and was wondering what is the simplest way to remove it. Maybe someone who has done it can offer me some tips.

Thanks

 

[tonylong]

You can remove the cover plate over the driver guages bu unscrewing the trim screws. It's a little easier if you remove the dash pad first. the dash has a coupla screws right above the AC ducts, and some on the end panels, and two just barely visible in the center right below the windshield way up front - you'll need a long driver for them.
You may also need to at least loosen the center gauge cover panel to get at the two screws on the right of the driver gauge panel.
When you get the cover panel off there are screws holding the entire gauge cluster in place.
USE A MAGNET TO KEEP THOSE SCREWS FROM VANISHING INTO THE GREAT DEPTHS OR THEY WILL RATTLE AND DRIVE YOU NUTS.
Ease the gauge cluster out and replace the bulbs.
After going to this PITA trouble I'd replace all the bulbe there they'll go anyway.

PS If you don't have a FSM get one. It's invaluable for any repairs or questions. About $130 from Helms inc. The original publishers.

 

[Achilles]

Ok, Thanks Tony.

I've got the cover panels off. It looks like there are two 1/4" screws (or metric equiv.) at the top of each corner of the guage cluster. I assume those need to come out. Are there any others that I'm not seeing?

I'm going to attempt to get this out today. I agree I think replacing all the bulbs is a good idea.

John

 

[tonylong]

I think there's screws at the ends and bottom of the cluster, don't remember the total number. Don't remember if I had any left over either, I often do. =]

There's a different kinda bulbs (4) behind the main instrument displays, they're halogens. I was advised to use a Stanley product instead because they're Xenon and make less heat.

 

[Achilles]

Now that I think about it this may be a project that I can't do myself. From what I've read on CAC there are 4-5 bulbs in the cluster.

My issue is with the tach readout. The green, yellow, red arch on the tach. I have a RPM section of the arch that isn't illuminated. Might not be something I want to get into.

 

[tonylong]

If i remember right the colors are fixed and come from the colored tabs inside, ther bulbs are all clear. There's 4 of them, all the same. The biggest hassles I had were in handling the screws holding the gauge cluster in place (I did drop one and had to remove the "knee pad" to get it) the other was in removing the old lamps/sockets, I think I broke 2 of the lamp in twisting too hard, but what the heck I had replacements anyway.

All the displays result from LCD,s going dark or light, the actual illumination is from the bulbs only.

 

[Achilles]

Hmm! Might be worth checking into. I just didn't want to go to all the trouble of pulling the cluster for a repair that I can't do myself.

Thanks for the help!

 

[mdsbch]

If it is just a bulb out, you can replace it without taking the entire cluster out. Remove the plastic cover over the cluster as described in an earlier post, then pop off the small round covers (there are 4 of them) and you can get to the bulb to check them or replace them. Be carefull not to break the bulb when pulling it out. If you do take the entire cluster out (which isn't too difficult), you might want to replace the sockets and use bulb #168's which are about the same intensity as the 802's but easier to find and much less expensive.

Here is a web site that was very helpful to me when I did mine.

http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/problems.shtml

Mike

 

[CorvetteArchives]

Ut oh...the actual lcd part of the arch isnt lit? It may be a broken lcd connection. There is one bulb that lights the entire thing from the top. On our website are pics of the dash apart (under customization/digital dash guts). If you need repair there is a great guy on ebay that has 100% feedback -WSchard. I've messed around with the digital dash colors and such a few times but ended up letting Bill do the proper electrical repairs. He make sthe few additional connections that usually causes stuff to fail and he warranties his work. Tell him christian sent you ;-)

 

[Achilles]

Ut oh...the actual lcd part of the arch isnt lit? It may be a broken lcd connection. There is one bulb that lights the entire thing from the top. On our website are pics of the dash apart (under customization/digital dash guts). If you need repair there is a great guy on ebay that has 100% feedback -WSchard. I've messed around with the digital dash colors and such a few times but ended up letting Bill do the proper electrical repairs. He make sthe few additional connections that usually causes stuff to fail and he warranties his work. Tell him christian sent you ;-)

Ok, thanks for the heads up. I think this is more than my tallent is capable of. After removing the cluster cover (or trim piece), I see the slots where the 4 bulbs are located. They are all lit up. I think you're right that a section of the LCD is broken in the multi-colored tach guage.
I'll look for your guy on ebay.