Digital Dash
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Elkton MD
Digital Dash
I have a '90 coupe L98 with 91000 miles. The digital portion of dash (Avg milage, speed, fuel level) has been giving me trouble but only occurred during the winter. About half of the LCD segments fade, making it hard to read. Initially occured two winters ago, but was OK last winter. Thought it had something to do with cold weather. It starting acting up about a month ago when I was using the air conditioner, then sometime last week it cleared up. Lasted 3-4 days and the problem is back.
Any idea what the problem is, what the fix is? I'm not a mechanic and I don't want to get ripped off at a dealer. Is it a simple fix?
Any info would help. I'm thinking of selling her unless the problem is a simple fix. E-mail me at c-farer@comcast.net.
Thanks,
9tvette
Steve
Any idea what the problem is, what the fix is? I'm not a mechanic and I don't want to get ripped off at a dealer. Is it a simple fix?
Any info would help. I'm thinking of selling her unless the problem is a simple fix. E-mail me at c-farer@comcast.net.
Thanks,
9tvette
Steve
Last edited by scycykjr; Aug 20, 2005 at 11:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Elkton MD
Digital Dash
Bogus,
If it is the backlighting, is it an easy fix? Is it easy to get to the backlighting or does much of the dash have to come out? That would be labor intensive.
Steve
If it is the backlighting, is it an easy fix? Is it easy to get to the backlighting or does much of the dash have to come out? That would be labor intensive.
Steve
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Torrance CA
You can get to the bulbs from the front. Remove the bezel - you have to tilt the steering wheel all the way down, then unthread the tilt lever to get it out of the way.
After you remove all the screws and the bezel you will see some shiny metal disks on the cluster - the bulbs are behind those.
After you remove all the screws and the bezel you will see some shiny metal disks on the cluster - the bulbs are behind those.
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis MN
Digital Dash
My 89 had a similar problem except it was with the tach lights that were giving me problems. I took it apart and found several bad light sockets that were burnt and cracked. Replaced both the sockets and bulbs, no problems now! 
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Backlights
If you get tired of taking apart the dash for the backlights, there is another fix. Take out all the backlights and sodier a small wires to the socket. Run those to something that is hot when the car is on. Bend the tabs so they do not make contact with the circut board(or you will have problems). I did this several years ago and have had no problems since then. It does bypass the brightness senser for the backlights, but that has not been an issue. They are full bright all the time.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
How much trouble?
No trouble really, it just requires patience. There are around 6-10 screws you have to remove to get the molding off. If I remember, there are then 4 bolts you have to take out. It is then just a matter of wiggling the dash out. I have always moved the steering wheel all the way down, and removed the lever for more room. As I recall, the dash board above the cluster has usually bowed downward, and require slight pressure upwards to get the cluster out, and back in. As I recall....it always seems to come out better taking it out towards the drivers door, and goes back in easier that way as well. Just be sure you don't put too much pressure on the cluster itself, or you may crack something. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 7
From: Lawrenceville PA
Try these sites for dash cluster problems:
http://www.batee.com/corvette/index.shtml
http://www.corvettedashclusterservic...oprocess1.html
I've been having problems with mine and these sites help with removal and some troubleshooting though you still may need to send it out for repair. Mine's still giving me problems and though these sites helped I still have an inoperable cluster. Good luck with yours.
http://www.batee.com/corvette/index.shtml
http://www.corvettedashclusterservic...oprocess1.html
I've been having problems with mine and these sites help with removal and some troubleshooting though you still may need to send it out for repair. Mine's still giving me problems and though these sites helped I still have an inoperable cluster. Good luck with yours.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Elkton MD
Digital Dash
I thought my problem was related to cold weather. I didn't have problems this past winter, but I did the year before. The problem occurred two years out of four, every other year. Then about 6 weeks ago when I was using the AC set at 70 deg and the fan working overtime (cold inside), the problem popped up. Yep, a cold weather problem.
It finally cleared up about a week later. Then about two weeks ago, it happened again, and I wasn't using the AC. Still there, so it must not be a cold weather problem. Must be getting old; a 1990 with 91.1K miles.
1986 pacecar, I saved the two sites you sent me, but they reference the dash for 1984-1989. The interior changed in 1990, so I'm not sure if the sites will help me. I will look for a contact through them to see if they offer help for the 1990. Thanks
It finally cleared up about a week later. Then about two weeks ago, it happened again, and I wasn't using the AC. Still there, so it must not be a cold weather problem. Must be getting old; a 1990 with 91.1K miles.
1986 pacecar, I saved the two sites you sent me, but they reference the dash for 1984-1989. The interior changed in 1990, so I'm not sure if the sites will help me. I will look for a contact through them to see if they offer help for the 1990. Thanks
