I would check the ground. If you have a bad ground, your cluster could show all kinds of different oddities - as well as not working at all.
Digital dash problems
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 7
From: Lawrenceville PA
Digital dash problems
I had to send my digital dash out to get repaired recently (Gene Taber) but when I got it back it still didn't work. So, I repackaged it up and mailed it back, but Gene said the dash was working fine for him and he even put it in his Vette and drove around to try and get it to fail but it performed as it should. Now, when I get this back again and if it still doesn't work what do I look for. I know about the websites with the information on the clusters but I didn't find them particularly helpful. If I have to take this to get repaired can any reputable shop fix it or should I look for a Corvette shop or a shop that specializes in electrical repair? I doubt I'll be able to fix it myself as electrical issues baffle me. Nothing like spending $185 and still having an inoperable instrument cluster. 
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax VT
Inop digital instruments
Hi,
Being somewhat at a loss by not knowing what specifically was wrong with the dash when you sent it in and what the repair shop found when they repaired it I would check the ground connections that support the dig instruments. I would also check the condition of the harness connectors that support the instrument pod.
I had a nagging problem with my dig dash and one of the forum folks suggested the grounds as being a possibility and they were right. I cleaned up the grounds and it works great and had done so for over 6 months.
Good luck,
Don in VT
Being somewhat at a loss by not knowing what specifically was wrong with the dash when you sent it in and what the repair shop found when they repaired it I would check the ground connections that support the dig instruments. I would also check the condition of the harness connectors that support the instrument pod.
I had a nagging problem with my dig dash and one of the forum folks suggested the grounds as being a possibility and they were right. I cleaned up the grounds and it works great and had done so for over 6 months.
Good luck,
Don in VT
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Gene Taber does excellent work. He's rebuilt two different clusters for me, no problems. 
If he said it works for him, then believe me, it's working. The problem is probably in your car.
If he said it works for him, then believe me, it's working. The problem is probably in your car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
There is a ground wire on the drivers side pillar, just remove the trim and curl the carpet back and you will see it.You can also add a ground wire to the ambient sensor. Check the ground strap on the motor. A great book to buy for about $30 is Gordon Killebrews. It could also be a dirty (coroded) pin connection-on your part, which obviously wouldn't show up at Gene Tabers shop-for that matter neither would the ground problem(s). Since you didn't state what problem you were experiencing-
some problems are do to water in the bulk head connection. You can check this by simply removing the connection and seeing if there is a greenish/whiteish looking substance in the pockets-if there is just blow it out-BUT don't remove the black greasy stuff-it's an anti corosive
lubricant.If you find water there check to make sure the cowl drip tube
is not directed toward it, you can seal the outside top and sides with a spray can of undercoating. Good luck, and get the book.
some problems are do to water in the bulk head connection. You can check this by simply removing the connection and seeing if there is a greenish/whiteish looking substance in the pockets-if there is just blow it out-BUT don't remove the black greasy stuff-it's an anti corosive
lubricant.If you find water there check to make sure the cowl drip tube
is not directed toward it, you can seal the outside top and sides with a spray can of undercoating. Good luck, and get the book.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 7
From: Lawrenceville PA
Thanks for the responses. I will get the book and I'm hoping that they have it at Carlisle. My problems with the dash started several weeks back when I decided to go for a Sunday drive and the dash started acting crazy. The segments flashed nonsense readings and became very dim. Finally they just faded out completely and I was stuck with a dead display. That's when I removed it and sent it to Gene Taber. I guess I never considered anything other than a bad display. Stupid on my part. I'll check the ground tonight to see if it's clean and intact. Hopefully that's it. Thanks again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Originally Posted by 1986pacecar
I decided to go for a Sunday drive and the dash started acting crazy. The segments flashed nonsense readings and became very dim. Finally they just faded out completely and I was stuck with a dead display.
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