Gauge Cluster %#$@&*$#

[l98vette1986]

Well, this is it, i am a victim of poor GM design
My cluster just flases and flickers, and shoots out different #'s. I put my finger over the light sensor on it, and it slowed the flashing down. The tach, and speedo bar graphs seem to work, but they are delayed a little. I was told that this may be a grounding problem. :duh

Any info/experiences welcome.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
If you could please post year and model, we can proceed.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[l98vette1986]

it is an 86 coupe, w/ the 4+3 tranny. i am thinking of taking a stab at it tonight sorta speak. if u need any other info, i would be greatful.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
There has been issues with the power signal and ground signals through the circuit board pins, creating numerous conditions within the LCD.
Honestly, I would suggest simply sending the cluster to a repair shop. If you chose to repair it yourself, you will need a small socket set, with 7/32, and 1/4 sockets to open the panels up.
With the information given here, I am transfering this to the c4 technical discussion.
I am sure other owners will chime in as far as other issues that you may look at, that maybe they have repaired.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[JonM]

Try these sites

http://www.corvettemagazine.com/1999/dec99/dash/dashp1.asp

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

 

[l98vette1986]

Thanks for the web sites, i just got back from the sites, they have a lot of info. If i cant fix my cluster, i am gonna do the analog thing, until i can get mine fixed...I'll probably have the same abount of money in it either way i go, but i think that it would be cool to have my 5" tach in the center of the dash, Either way i dont care. But i greatly appreciate the info.

 

[Top]

It sounds like a bad ground. There are two ground wires to the cluster, one goes to the drivers door pillar andl and the other to an ambient over ride sensor under the left dash. Both the grounds are located in the 32 pin connector in the side of the cluster. Here is a simple test to try before you lay out a bunch of cash. Take some wire and make a Y with it. Pull the panel so you can get at the 32 pin connector. Push the Y end of your wire into the two grounds (pin D1 and D3). Connect the other end to a good ground. Start the car and see if it still flashes and flickers. If it doesn't then you have a bad ground, I'm betting the ambient override one, it is the most common failure. The easy fix is to cut the wire and splice it into the door pillar ground D1. That's what I did and have had no problems since then.

Good Luck!!

 

[l98vette1986]

I tested my cluster in another 86 Corvette that belongs to a friend, and i got the same result.. His cluster works fine, and mine does not. I sold my cluster to him b/c his has a cracked lense, so now i have started accumulating a matching set of gauges to build my own cluster (this should be cool) I almost wanted mine to be bad in a way so i could give the other half an excuse for more upgrades..:argue ...

Thanks again to all who replied to assist.
:bar