DASH problems
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 192
Likes: 2
From: Columbia SC
DASH problems
My dash isn't showing any of the information it should such as the speed, RPM, gas levels, heat and things like that.
Does anyone here have a link to some detail instructions on how to remove the dash and check the connections and bulbs?
Does anyone here have a link to some detail instructions on how to remove the dash and check the connections and bulbs?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
I just pulled the instrument cluster on my 1986 last week.
The bulb that illuminates the tach went out. I am also tracking down various shorts. So I decided to pull the cluster to change the bulbs and do a little inspection. I followed the instructions from this link:
http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/24899/index.html
After you take out the four screws that hold the cluster to the dash. follow the instructions from the link. Lean the cluster towards you so that you can disconnect the two harnesses seen in my pic. Take your time the plastic is old and brittle. On my 86 there are comb like fasteners that hold the harness plugs in place. Be careful not to break these try to disconnect the plugs.
Once you have the cluster out start the disassembly per the instruction from link. This is what my boards looked like after I separated them.
I used canned air to blow clean any dust. Loosened the four fasteners and changed the bulbs.
Reverse everything you did for the reinstall. Getting the plugs back are not as hard as taking them off. What was difficult for me was getting all four clusters screws back on. I started with the top two first, then the bottom two. It was not fun! But I did it!!! I used a small dab of wood glue to keep the bolts tacky enough to stay on the socket while I maneuvered them to the holes.
The bulb that illuminates the tach went out. I am also tracking down various shorts. So I decided to pull the cluster to change the bulbs and do a little inspection. I followed the instructions from this link:
http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/24899/index.html
After you take out the four screws that hold the cluster to the dash. follow the instructions from the link. Lean the cluster towards you so that you can disconnect the two harnesses seen in my pic. Take your time the plastic is old and brittle. On my 86 there are comb like fasteners that hold the harness plugs in place. Be careful not to break these try to disconnect the plugs.
Once you have the cluster out start the disassembly per the instruction from link. This is what my boards looked like after I separated them.
I used canned air to blow clean any dust. Loosened the four fasteners and changed the bulbs.
Reverse everything you did for the reinstall. Getting the plugs back are not as hard as taking them off. What was difficult for me was getting all four clusters screws back on. I started with the top two first, then the bottom two. It was not fun! But I did it!!! I used a small dab of wood glue to keep the bolts tacky enough to stay on the socket while I maneuvered them to the holes.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
Make sure you clean the pins carefully on the the other an align them into the socket. Top left.
The lower board pictured here you can see the four fasteners for the bulbs. I changed all four after inspecting all of the solder points. My cluster is still in good shape so no soldering was necessary.
The lower board pictured here you can see the four fasteners for the bulbs. I changed all four after inspecting all of the solder points. My cluster is still in good shape so no soldering was necessary.
Last edited by Louiseven; Jan 13, 2012 at 01:51 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I found the best tool to get the bottom screws in is a magnetic pickup tool (one of the most-used tools in my toolbox). Put the screw on the end of the pickup tool and insert it in the hole. Wiggle the pickup tool around until it comes off the screw and then tighten the screw with a socket.
