Digital Dash
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Digital Dash
Hi Gang
Need to replace some of the bulbs on my digital dash on my 86. The light switch stem, does it come out, or can you just take off the ****.? It looks like just the **** comes off to me. I cannot feel any release mech on the stem. Like a little spring loaded button, that is on some mods. Any suggestions on a easy way to remove the dash would help too.
Thanks...............Gunny
Need to replace some of the bulbs on my digital dash on my 86. The light switch stem, does it come out, or can you just take off the ****.? It looks like just the **** comes off to me. I cannot feel any release mech on the stem. Like a little spring loaded button, that is on some mods. Any suggestions on a easy way to remove the dash would help too.
Thanks...............Gunny
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 7
From: Lawrenceville PA
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Turn the headlights on, then look at the backside base of the plastic **** where it attaches to the triangular rod. Compress the little spring clip against the plastic **** then pull the **** off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 35
From: Lecanto Florida
Just changed all the bulbs on my 87 a few days ago. I just pulled on the light **** and it came right off. Then I could see the metal spring clip and took that off. When it's off, and all other screws including the few on the side are out, push up on the upper dash to give you room enough to get the face plate out. Steering wheel all the way down and some wiggling will bring it out. After bulb change and your trying to get the face plate back in, do the same thing with the upper dash (push up) and don't forget to get it over the little stalk that changes the position of the steering wheel. That little bugger caused me to curse more than I have in a long time. 
P.S. Radio Shack carries the replacement bulbs (think they're #288) in a 2-pack bag. Really cheap at about $1.37. Replace all 4 bulbs while you have the face plate out and save your self some trouble later.
P.S. Radio Shack carries the replacement bulbs (think they're #288) in a 2-pack bag. Really cheap at about $1.37. Replace all 4 bulbs while you have the face plate out and save your self some trouble later.
Last edited by CREWZIN; Jan 19, 2006 at 07:28 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 3
From: Bel Air Md
That clip is a PITA to get off, but it does come off. When you install the new bulbs, try not to touch the glass with your fingers. Oil from your skin will shorten the life of the bulb. I put some tape on the end of a needle nose plyiers and use that. The lever for the tilt steering wheel unscrews from the post, Make sure the wheel is tilted all the way back , it makes it easier to pull out the plastic dash cover.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 646
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From: Santee Ca
I just went through this excercise yesterday. Had one of them that burned out. Once I got the dash out you have to dis-assemble the unit to get to the bulbs. There is a metal gaurd you unscrew and them you have to remove the PCB to see the 4 lights. I was going to replace all the lights since I had it apart but at $27 a piece I decided not to.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 646
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From: Santee Ca
Originally Posted by CREWZIN
Just changed all the bulbs on my 87 a few days ago. I just pulled on the light **** and it came right off. Then I could see the metal spring clip and took that off. When it's off, and all other screws including the few on the side are out, push up on the upper dash to give you room enough to get the face plate out. Steering wheel all the way down and some wiggling will bring it out. After bulb change and your trying to get the face plate back in, do the same thing with the upper dash (push up) and don't forget to get it over the little stalk that changes the position of the steering wheel. That little bugger caused me to curse more than I have in a long time.
P.S. Radio Shack carries the replacement bulbs (think they're #288) in a 2-pack bag. Really cheap at about $1.37. Replace all 4 bulbs while you have the face plate out and save your self some trouble later.
P.S. Radio Shack carries the replacement bulbs (think they're #288) in a 2-pack bag. Really cheap at about $1.37. Replace all 4 bulbs while you have the face plate out and save your self some trouble later.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 33
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Insane one
I hope you did not spend that $27 each for the bulb. That is high. I thought the dealership wanting $24 each was high. No wonder I stay away from dealerships. I understand any one that works at a dealership as part of their uniform they are issued a patch for their eye. Sorry if I offend any one on here that works for a dealership but they do rob you, and they have a license to do it.
Thanks.............Gunny
I hope you did not spend that $27 each for the bulb. That is high. I thought the dealership wanting $24 each was high. No wonder I stay away from dealerships. I understand any one that works at a dealership as part of their uniform they are issued a patch for their eye. Sorry if I offend any one on here that works for a dealership but they do rob you, and they have a license to do it.
Thanks.............Gunny
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 96
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From: Suwanee Georgia
Got my bulbs in 2 packs from Advance Auto Parts, they were $9.00 a pack. I beleive they are 880's. They did come with socket and all but I just pulled the bulbs out and inserted them in the existing Dash Sockets.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 35
From: Lecanto Florida
OK, I just posted this a week or so ago about changing the bulbs. The one's I got were not halogen, but there working fine....
"Got a show coming up called "Wonderful World of Corvettes" near Orlando and
was cleaning and waxing the Vette yesterday and noticed that I had a bulb out in the cluster. Being a hands-on kind of guy, I went to the TECH section and did a search and came up with BATEE Do-it-Yourself Corvette with repair guides for all kinds of things including replacing the bulbs. Went to Radio Shack and picked up some #194's (2 for $1.35) as an alternative to the #882 (suggested by the guide). I thought, what the heck and replaced all four bulbs since I had the dash apart and now everything is back together. Figured I saved and $100 in labor charges from the dealer. "
"Got a show coming up called "Wonderful World of Corvettes" near Orlando and
was cleaning and waxing the Vette yesterday and noticed that I had a bulb out in the cluster. Being a hands-on kind of guy, I went to the TECH section and did a search and came up with BATEE Do-it-Yourself Corvette with repair guides for all kinds of things including replacing the bulbs. Went to Radio Shack and picked up some #194's (2 for $1.35) as an alternative to the #882 (suggested by the guide). I thought, what the heck and replaced all four bulbs since I had the dash apart and now everything is back together. Figured I saved and $100 in labor charges from the dealer. "
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
194 bulbs are not interchangeabe with 882s unless you change the sockets. I bought a set of sockets from ecklers awhile back, hopefully they don't melt.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 35
From: Lecanto Florida
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
194 bulbs are not interchangeabe with 882s unless you change the sockets. I bought a set of sockets from ecklers awhile back, hopefully they don't melt.
"You can change the light bulbs by removing the trim and prying the silver metal caps off of the face of the instrument panel. Turn on the ignition and see which ones don't light up. Next use some needle-nose pliers to replace the bulbs.
At this point, you should seriously consider replacing the 882 illumination bulbs in the cluster with 194s obtained from any auto parts store. The 882 bulbs are brighter, but heat damage to the circuit boards always occurs, and in my opinion, it's not worth it. The 194s are almost as bright, are still quite readable in the daylight, and are a lot cheaper than the 882s. "
Here's the link to the whole section on changing bulbs.....
http://batee.com/corvette/dcrg/lightbulb.shtml
