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1989 instrument panel

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Old Jun 24, 2011 | 09:48 PM
  #1  
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Default 1989 instrument panel

I can not read the speedometer or tach. Is there any way I can repair it?

Don
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Old Jun 24, 2011 | 11:02 PM
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Well do you mean they dont work, or the lights are just burned out? If it's just the lights, you can change them in half an hour. You need 882 bulbs, four of them. They're eight bucks each.
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Old Jun 25, 2011 | 06:36 AM
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Details please.
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Old Jun 25, 2011 | 09:57 PM
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A few of the bulbs were burned out so I replaced all of the bulbs. The display is os faint that you can not see the MPH or RPM. Before you could see a little display now I can not see any.
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Old Jun 25, 2011 | 10:38 PM
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Do yours look like this?
Attachment 48380533
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Old Jun 26, 2011 | 12:59 PM
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Default instrument panel

That looks pretty close to it. The panel lights up with the exception of the MPH and RPM read out. I can just barely make out the digital display of the RPM. That is what I use to judge my speed. I n bright sun light I can not see that. I was told that the panel needs to be sent off to be professionally rebuilt and that it is very expensive.

Don
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Old Jun 26, 2011 | 03:32 PM
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If it's got a light spot on it like that when its off, you'll definately need to replace the LCD screens which are around $100 a piece. If you changed the bulbs yourself then you should be able to replace the LCD screens just as easily.
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Old Jun 26, 2011 | 08:33 PM
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If it needs rebuilding there are companys that do it for about $150.00..If you need LCD screens thats $100.00 extra for each one...WW
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Old Jun 26, 2011 | 10:05 PM
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where is the best place to purchase the LCD screens?
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Old Jun 26, 2011 | 10:11 PM
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I bought mine from Jim Adams, he sells these dash parts. You can email him at witchcityeng@yahoo.com.
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Old Jun 27, 2011 | 05:58 AM
  #11  
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You are saying the bulbs are actually lit but you still cant see the display? Is your display complete but dark, i.e. not a partial display like carguy has? If you can see the full display (barely like your talking about) then your LCD's are probly ok and you have lost the ground or the power side of the lighting circuit. The best source of dash info is at

http://www.batee.com/corvette/index.htm

I also just did a write up on the power side here:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ht-repair.html

Good luck!
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 09:12 PM
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Looks to me like a polar film problem. Look at the dash with a good pair of polarized sunglasses on, and, if this is the problem, you will be able to see all the numbers. I've found the film for @$15. I'm researching whether I have to pull the entire dash out, or can just apply the film from the outside. It comes with or without adhesive. I hope this is your problem because it is a lot cheaper to fix that anything else. Good luck, and please let me know if this is the fix?
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 10:47 PM
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Damn, you're a busy little poster. 3 threads on the same subject.

Have you even pulled the bezel and looked to see if the bulbs are burnt out yet?

Do you know how to pull the bezel?

Did you look at the Batee website?

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Old Jul 23, 2011 | 10:29 PM
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Yes, I have been busy trying to find out if I can fix it myself, so maybe "desperate" is a better word. lol All the bulbs are working fine. I went to Batee, but that was for a total take down/apart which I am trying to avoid. Also, like I said, I know it is the polarized film problem and he dosen't cover that at his site. I'm sure I can pull the bezel, but I don't see how that will get me any closer. The adhesive film can just stick on the front, I think, thats why they advertise both for the Corvette Dash fix. One site even has different colors, but I'll stick to the amber. Thanks for the quick answer, but I know it's not the bulbs
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