86 Dash failure
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86 Dash failure
It had been flickering last day or so, now it's just black. Is there any meaningful troubleshhoting possible?
I see used ones on Ebay for about $200. Is this a fairly easy job to replace for a newbie?
Thnaks,
Vince
I see used ones on Ebay for about $200. Is this a fairly easy job to replace for a newbie?
Thnaks,
Vince
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Merritt Ils Fl
OK, somebody with a link to the digi dash fixing info step forward? All references I had were buried with my HP that died.
Found it: http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/repair.htm
Found it: http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/repair.htm
Last edited by Muffin; Apr 5, 2010 at 10:14 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Yukon OK
When I bought my 86 coupe, the LCDs would go in and out as you went over bumps in the road. check out this site for some great info. http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/index.shtml.
I was able to repair it myself and save some major $$$$. on mine, the solder joints on the pins that connect the two circuit boards together had failed.
I re soldered them and it works perfectly now!
I was able to repair it myself and save some major $$$$. on mine, the solder joints on the pins that connect the two circuit boards together had failed.
I re soldered them and it works perfectly now!
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Cordova TN
I have been through most of them and all I can say is good luck.
It isn't that hard to take the dash out. It definitely becomes a hassle though when you have to go back in a second, third fourth.....etc.....time.
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There is a myriad of things that can go wrong with these dashes. The bulbs. The bulb sockets. Solder points. Bad grounds. Bad LCDs.
I have been through most of them and all I can say is good luck.
It isn't that hard to take the dash out. It definitely becomes a hassle though when you have to go back in a second, third fourth.....etc.....time.
I have been through most of them and all I can say is good luck.
It isn't that hard to take the dash out. It definitely becomes a hassle though when you have to go back in a second, third fourth.....etc.....time.
I hear you. I expect it will come out - it is acting erratic anyways despite the lighting issue. These damn bulbs are hard to pull out - I'm using shrink wrap.
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When I bought my 86 coupe, the LCDs would go in and out as you went over bumps in the road. check out this site for some great info. http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/index.shtml.
I was able to repair it myself and save some major $$$$. on mine, the solder joints on the pins that connect the two circuit boards together had failed.
I re soldered them and it works perfectly now!
I was able to repair it myself and save some major $$$$. on mine, the solder joints on the pins that connect the two circuit boards together had failed.
I re soldered them and it works perfectly now!
Last edited by charv66; Apr 7, 2010 at 07:50 PM.
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 496
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From: Cordova TN
Ok I have the module out. I've taken out the seven 7/32" screws holding the top circuit board to the digital cluster case. I must be missing something...How can you remove the top circuit board with those 12 long connectors from the bottom board (you have pictured) soldered/somehow connected to the top board white connector? Are are they not soldered; should I just pull harder and they will slide out?
I was scared I would snap somethine by the time it finally came apart.
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And by the way any idea what tests might be worth doing as the dash is out?
While the Digital Cluster is out:
1) If you have further troubleshooting to do, now is the time to do it. Many test procedures outlined in the Chevrolet factory shop manual for Corvettes require that the Digital Cluster be removed, so if something else isn't working, now's the time to fix it.
While the Digital Cluster is out:
1) If you have further troubleshooting to do, now is the time to do it. Many test procedures outlined in the Chevrolet factory shop manual for Corvettes require that the Digital Cluster be removed, so if something else isn't working, now's the time to fix it.
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
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My dash cluster stopped functioning, it started flickering and then went black. I sent out to get repaired for $200.00 and when recieved it and installed the unit, it lit up and the started flickering again.... Where do I start trouble shooting? I called the tech who did the repair and he said he replaced a bad power supply and that I may need to check for shorts in the harness...
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My dash cluster stopped functioning, it started flickering and then went black. I sent out to get repaired for $200.00 and when recieved it and installed the unit, it lit up and the started flickering again.... Where do I start trouble shooting? I called the tech who did the repair and he said he replaced a bad power supply and that I may need to check for shorts in the harness...
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Well sure enough I took both boards out. It looks like it had already been repaired as the solders were redone in those critical places. I checked them all with an ohm-meter and the contacts are all good. I've put it back together and will replug the harnesses. I suspect this will be a pain in butt...
I screwed back everything in place, cluster, panels etc.
I go to start it up again to go out for a quick spin: Nada! All black and the climate control is flashing as well as the High Beam and Turn signal lamps on steady on the cluster....? WTH?
Last edited by charv66; Apr 8, 2010 at 07:17 PM.
7th Gear
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My dash cluster stopped functioning, it started flickering and then went black. I sent out to get repaired for $200.00 and when recieved it and installed the unit, it lit up and the started flickering again.... Where do I start trouble shooting? I called the tech who did the repair and he said he replaced a bad power supply and that I may need to check for shorts in the harness...
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 496
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From: Cordova TN
Hooked up the dash cluster to the 2 connectors: Nada. I moved the cluster around a little, back into it's normal position: Bingo! She light up like a XMas tree! I started up the engine ran it a few minutes, all looks good.
I screwed back everything in place, cluster, panels etc.
I go to start it up again to go out for a quick spin: Nada! All black and the climate control is flashing as well as the High Beam and Turn signal lamps on steady on the cluster....? WTH?
I screwed back everything in place, cluster, panels etc.
I go to start it up again to go out for a quick spin: Nada! All black and the climate control is flashing as well as the High Beam and Turn signal lamps on steady on the cluster....? WTH?
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That sounds like a ground issue. I have had problems with ground G104 which is on the engine towards the back driver's side. Check it out and make sure everything is hooked up properly there. I also sprayed it with electrical connection cleaner which I guess did somting because I haven't had any more ground problems.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 355
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From: Concord, California
Grounds, grounds grounds...
Check the grounds,check them again and again. These car's are so rigid, that things tend to come loose easily. Sounds like the cluster is working, it just gets loose and loses conectivity with the grounds.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 428
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From: Friendswood Texas
As other's have mentioned go to http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/problems.shtml
Notice there are three catagories of problems, My 86 failed 3 times in 9 years. First failure was fixed by Batee's first category - common problems (pretty easy). The last two failures fell under the advanced category. One failure was repaired by a shop, The last failure I haven't fixed yet. I tried to go by symptom listed on Batee's site. I guess you could shot gun it and replace everything mentioned.
BTW
The circuit boards in my cluster were coated with a protective epoxy coating. You need to remove it form where you need to remove and replace components (need bare solder points).
Good luck.
Notice there are three catagories of problems, My 86 failed 3 times in 9 years. First failure was fixed by Batee's first category - common problems (pretty easy). The last two failures fell under the advanced category. One failure was repaired by a shop, The last failure I haven't fixed yet. I tried to go by symptom listed on Batee's site. I guess you could shot gun it and replace everything mentioned.
BTW
The circuit boards in my cluster were coated with a protective epoxy coating. You need to remove it form where you need to remove and replace components (need bare solder points).
Good luck.
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From: Greenwood Indiana
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