1985 Digital Display Problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 25
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1985 Digital Display Problem
I'm hoping that someone out there can help me. The digital display on my 1985 C4 periodically goes very dim- almost to the point where you can't see what is being displayed-although what is being displayed is correct. At the same time the directional arrows and high beam indicators are illuminated. Does anybody have a clue what this is all about and how to fix it?
I'd greatly appreciate any help.
I'd greatly appreciate any help.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Bolivar TN
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Interested in a quick lesson on how to reset your odometer? Includes the proper method of marking the door jam with the mileage change... 
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 287
Likes: 6
From: St Albert Alberta
[QUOTE=JrRifleCoach]Interested in a quick lesson on how to reset your odometer? Includes the proper method of marking the door jam with the mileage change...
Is this method used for installing used clusters to match mileage? I would like to know the proper procedure.
Is this method used for installing used clusters to match mileage? I would like to know the proper procedure.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Most probably, it's your power supply. There's a guy in Indiana that rebuilds the instument cluster for around $200. His name is Gene Tabor
His phone number is 1-888-454-1911
His website is: http://www.corvettedashclusterservice.com
His E-Mail is: genetabor@aol.com
He completely rebuilt my cluster from top to bottom when I still had an 85, and did a outstanding job!
His phone number is 1-888-454-1911
His website is: http://www.corvettedashclusterservice.com
His E-Mail is: genetabor@aol.com
He completely rebuilt my cluster from top to bottom when I still had an 85, and did a outstanding job!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 38
From: Coldville
YES!
I had the same problem on my 1986 corvette, im a electronic technician/ computer repair tech so i thought id take it apart and do the most basic test sight, smell and see what was going on, wow the electronic they used on these breadboards is shocking by todays standards no multi laying , just wire to wire surface contact layer
by a one side conductive/insolated tape thats been sprayed with
a none conductive rosin, then i noticeed what you guys are talking about a connector string board mount with prongs comming up from a daughter board and the groung pin and a couple other black with
carosion, i traced it down to the prong lever and notice 3 very bad solder joints ( the cause of this common problem with these displays
it seems that who ever built these use poor solder practices ( common in a low quality manufacturing enviroment.
I resolder and cleaned contacts and it as good as new.
so before you go sending you display out or buying another one for hundreds of dollars check it out.
I had the same problem on my 1986 corvette, im a electronic technician/ computer repair tech so i thought id take it apart and do the most basic test sight, smell and see what was going on, wow the electronic they used on these breadboards is shocking by todays standards no multi laying , just wire to wire surface contact layer
by a one side conductive/insolated tape thats been sprayed with
a none conductive rosin, then i noticeed what you guys are talking about a connector string board mount with prongs comming up from a daughter board and the groung pin and a couple other black with
carosion, i traced it down to the prong lever and notice 3 very bad solder joints ( the cause of this common problem with these displays
it seems that who ever built these use poor solder practices ( common in a low quality manufacturing enviroment.
I resolder and cleaned contacts and it as good as new.
so before you go sending you display out or buying another one for hundreds of dollars check it out.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,222
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
My whole dash doesn't go dim, but the left center section does. Is this the same problem or a bulb issue? Are there bulbs behind the silver circles I see on the front of the assembly?
gp
gp
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 15,053
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
My whole dash doesn't go dim, but the left center section does. Is this the same problem or a bulb issue? Are there bulbs behind the silver circles I see on the front of the assembly?
gp
gp
Probably bulbs. Be prepaired. They are 6 to 8 bucks each! It was easier for me to pull the cluster apart and change them.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Bolivar TN
GreggPenn...
That's just a blown bulb. You don't have to pull the whole cluster out. The 4 silver/aluminum clips you see on the front cover 4 bulbs. The bulbs are a pain in the butt to replace, but I replaced one yesterday. Radio Shack has the bulbs. (882 or 891)
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/lightbulb.shtml
That's just a blown bulb. You don't have to pull the whole cluster out. The 4 silver/aluminum clips you see on the front cover 4 bulbs. The bulbs are a pain in the butt to replace, but I replaced one yesterday. Radio Shack has the bulbs. (882 or 891)
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/lightbulb.shtml
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,222
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Thanks.
What if it works sometimes? Would you still suspect the bulb, the plug in question (from the original poster), or a loose connection anywhere along the way?
gp
What if it works sometimes? Would you still suspect the bulb, the plug in question (from the original poster), or a loose connection anywhere along the way?
gp
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 66
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
Thanks.
What if it works sometimes? Would you still suspect the bulb, the plug in question (from the original poster), or a loose connection anywhere along the way?
gp
What if it works sometimes? Would you still suspect the bulb, the plug in question (from the original poster), or a loose connection anywhere along the way?
gp