Digital Dash Repair Question

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Jan 2, 2006 | 04:10 PM

skybolt31

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 1,493

Likes: 94

From: Westfield MA

Digital Dash Repair Question

My dash occasionally goes dark and the directional lights come on. Usually a short time later, sometimes when I hit a bump, it lights back up. I added a second ground wire to the ambient temperature sensor and the problem did not change. I can usually restore the dash with a rap to the top of the dash, so I am predicting that my problem is in the dash unit.

The question is, who is a good person to repair the unit. I spoke with a gentleman in Massachusetts last year, but misplaced his number. I would be interested in others experiences with various vendors.

Thanks

Jan 2, 2006 | 04:14 PM

Pete K

Race Director

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 12,518

Likes: 19

If you remove the cluster, and pop it apart, you can seperate the boards and clean the contacts with alcohol. This will likely solve it if the ground did not.

Jan 2, 2006 | 04:29 PM

JAKE

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 9,715

Likes: 27

From: Kempner Texas

This is a very, very common problem. The most common cause is ground, but it can be caused by something else.

I had the same condition and added more ground wires that you can shake a stick at trying to solve it. None of that helped. Then I did something that cured the problem, but I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I DID! If I knew what I did, I'd surely post it for you.

I just feel lucky that I solved it since then I haven't had a dark dash instance is quite a while now.

There are a couple of sites that have some very detailed instructions on repairing problems with the digital dash. I couldn't find the links but I'm sure someone will post them for you in case you want to read up then tackle.

Jake

Jan 2, 2006 | 07:11 PM

jfb

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 54,124

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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA

The cluster has two circuit boards that plug together with a single row of pins from the front board to a socket on the rear board. The end pin closest to the center of the circuit board carries the lamp current that back lights the LCD's (liquid crystal displays) and an age relaxed spring on the socket causes connection resistance. The lamp current through this connection resistance causes enough heat to unsolder the pin on the front board. Resoldering the pin will not cure this problem and a cheap permanent fix is to solder a short piece of insulated hookup wire from the pin to the socket. I did this about 8 years ago in my 87 and haven't had a problem with my cluster since.
Now the turn signal lights staying on is due to the cluster losing its ground and the cluster current goes through the turn signal lamps to their ground. Go to www.batee.com and click on Corvette Stuff and then digital dash repairs.

Jan 2, 2006 | 07:45 PM

NewbeeBob

Advanced

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 92

Likes: 0

Wow! Thanks

I didn't originate this thread, but I have the EXACT same problem, except I haven't tried hitting the dash to make it go away. I didn't even know where to look for this one. Now I ave a starting point, if I can ever get my stupid upper steering column rebuilt.... different thread.

Bob

Jan 2, 2006 | 09:43 PM

dmyers

Racer

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 377

Likes: 49

From: A place where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfb

You're right you've said the same thing twice in 2 days.

Jan 3, 2006 | 12:25 PM

rick lambert

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 6,130

Likes: 2

From: seattle WA

First-did you check your ground on the drivers post? Second did you check and clean the ground behind the head on the drivers side?
And here are two great sites.

http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/24899/

and one from here!

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=885976

Sounds like you've already got Gordon Killebrews book, based on your adding a ground wire to the ambient switch.

Goog Luck.