Ok, what is wrong with my dash?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 1,680
From: Fort Worth Texas
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Former Moderator
Cruise-In I-II-III Veteran
Ok, what is wrong with my dash?
my display sometimes is lit up all the way, sometimes flickers and looks like this:
Do I need to replace the display? Or are the connectors messed up?
What have others done that fixed this?
Do I need to replace the display? Or are the connectors messed up?
What have others done that fixed this?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,726
Likes: 46
From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
Looks like what happened to my 90 last year. I lost a few segments on the LCD. I got a used one off the forum (cheap) and all is well. It's a pretty easy fix but a PITA.
If it was a dirty connection the display should be scrambled as all the data is sent raw and processed by the little chip on the LCD panel. You can try cleaning the connector for the little panel but I doubt it will work.
EDIT: The connector I am referring to is only 8 pins and is inside the cluster. The main connector should not make any difference but you can clean it for fun
.
If it was a dirty connection the display should be scrambled as all the data is sent raw and processed by the little chip on the LCD panel. You can try cleaning the connector for the little panel but I doubt it will work.
EDIT: The connector I am referring to is only 8 pins and is inside the cluster. The main connector should not make any difference but you can clean it for fun
.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 848
Likes: 1
From: 1992 LT1 6 speed Cayman Islands
Originally Posted by Dale1990
Looks like what happened to my 90 last year. I lost a few segments on the LCD. I got a used one off the forum (cheap) and all is well. It's a pretty easy fix but a PITA.
If it was a dirty connection the display should be scrambled as all the data is sent raw and processed by the little chip on the LCD panel. You can try cleaning the connector for the little panel but I doubt it will work.
EDIT: The connector I am referring to is only 8 pins and is inside the cluster. The main connector should not make any difference but you can clean it for fun.
If it was a dirty connection the display should be scrambled as all the data is sent raw and processed by the little chip on the LCD panel. You can try cleaning the connector for the little panel but I doubt it will work.
EDIT: The connector I am referring to is only 8 pins and is inside the cluster. The main connector should not make any difference but you can clean it for fun
.A dirty 34 pin main connector will knock out some parts of the panel and not others, it will also cause the panel to go blank, depending on which pins loose connection
I don't waste peoples time telling them to clean a connector just for fun. Where do you think the information that the "little chip on the LCD panel" processes, comes from? Do you think there is a wireless transmitter for this?
The first thing to check should be if the part if the main connector that is in the black plastic panel at the back of the panel is loose in its socket and glue it in if it is. The vibration can cause the pins to intermittantly loose contact.
Jerris
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 1,680
From: Fort Worth Texas
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C8 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (stock)
2019 C7 of Year Winner (stock)
Former Moderator
Cruise-In I-II-III Veteran
thanks guys, it may be a broken/loose connector. It seems to come and go with the bumps in the road. It will never go blank, but instead will light everything up and stay solid for a day or two. Then it may decide to work for a day.
I'll pull the dash cover off and check what I can and see if it clears up, if not I'll try to pick up another cluster I guess.
I'll look for the 8pin and 34pin connections.
I'll pull the dash cover off and check what I can and see if it clears up, if not I'll try to pick up another cluster I guess.
I'll look for the 8pin and 34pin connections.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,726
Likes: 46
From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
Originally Posted by Jerris
A dirty 34 pin main connector will knock out some parts of the panel and not others, it will also cause the panel to go blank, depending on which pins loose connection
I don't waste peoples time telling them to clean a connector just for fun. Where do you think the information that the "little chip on the LCD panel" processes, comes from? Do you think there is a wireless transmitter for this?
The first thing to check should be if the part if the main connector that is in the black plastic panel at the back of the panel is loose in its socket and glue it in if it is. The vibration can cause the pins to intermittantly loose contact.
Jerris
I don't waste peoples time telling them to clean a connector just for fun. Where do you think the information that the "little chip on the LCD panel" processes, comes from? Do you think there is a wireless transmitter for this?
The first thing to check should be if the part if the main connector that is in the black plastic panel at the back of the panel is loose in its socket and glue it in if it is. The vibration can cause the pins to intermittantly loose contact.
Jerris
The IC controls how the info is displayed (which segements turn dark). The rest of the cluster (the 34pin and its assoc. goodies including the CCM) control what data is displayed.
I would doubt the 34pin would cause this problem. If the entire panel went out or if certain values were not displayed then that would be a good place to start. Random segements refers to an LCD specific issue.
EDIT 2: My old thread. There is a link to a tech tip in there with some good info and pics to help you pull the panel out. BTW: You can see the small IC I am referring to in those pics right below the header.
Last edited by Dale1990; Mar 7, 2006 at 04:23 AM. Reason: Clarity...no sleep is bad.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Carnegie PA
tach lcd
It seems the internal connector is the main cause of problems with these clusters. No sense pulling the cluster and not cleaning it. I think I would also clean the pink rubber contact strips carefully with alcohol.
BTW does anyone know where I can get a tach LCD for an 86 new or used?
I know a guy sells them for $90 something so that tells me someone is reproducing them but who? Seems like it's a well kept secret of the cluster rebuilders!
BTW does anyone know where I can get a tach LCD for an 86 new or used?
I know a guy sells them for $90 something so that tells me someone is reproducing them but who? Seems like it's a well kept secret of the cluster rebuilders!
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 470
Likes: 1
From: Kingwood TX
I had the same problem with my 92 LT1 cluster. Ck,d the easy stuff 1st. Found corrosion @ main frame grnd under Batt. Fixed that, gave me a few more figures. Bought a cluster off e-bay for $49.00. Installed it ,it's tack was inop. I then used my original tach( easy fix ) in rplcmt cluster & problem solved. Very good info in search section here.
This was for me a very rewarding experience. I know nothing about electronic's so it was with intrepidation that I started the task. The article here on the forum gave me the info to attempt this job. Long Live The forum.
This was for me a very rewarding experience. I know nothing about electronic's so it was with intrepidation that I started the task. The article here on the forum gave me the info to attempt this job. Long Live The forum.
Last edited by WEH 2000C5; Mar 7, 2006 at 02:18 PM. Reason: Add 92 LT!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 848
Likes: 1
From: 1992 LT1 6 speed Cayman Islands
Originally Posted by Dale1990
I take it you have never pulled the gauge cluster apart. The LCD panel has an 8pin connector with very fine pins (be careful with them) that carry info to the small IC on the panel. I have had my cluster apart and replaced the LCD panel. I have seen exactly what I am talking about.
The IC controls how the info is displayed (which segements turn dark). The rest of the cluster (the 34pin and its assoc. goodies including the CCM) control what data is displayed.
I would doubt the 34pin would cause this problem. If the entire panel went out or if certain values were not displayed then that would be a good place to start. Random segements refers to an LCD specific issue.
EDIT 2: My old thread. There is a link to a tech tip in there with some good info and pics to help you pull the panel out. BTW: You can see the small IC I am referring to in those pics right below the header.
The IC controls how the info is displayed (which segements turn dark). The rest of the cluster (the 34pin and its assoc. goodies including the CCM) control what data is displayed.
I would doubt the 34pin would cause this problem. If the entire panel went out or if certain values were not displayed then that would be a good place to start. Random segements refers to an LCD specific issue.
EDIT 2: My old thread. There is a link to a tech tip in there with some good info and pics to help you pull the panel out. BTW: You can see the small IC I am referring to in those pics right below the header.
Not only have I pulled a guage cluster on the 92 apart many times, I have a spare completely disassempled on my workbench right now.
The one in my car has just been reasymbled last night after I took it out and installed white faced guages from Dynasty Imports. I know exactly how it looks after removel in one piece and disassempled.
I had a similar case about six month ago where segments of the LCD would not register, bought a new LCD panel and installed it but the problem returned after one week. Removed cluster again and glued the female part of the main connector into the black plastic housing behind the IPC and problem has not returned in six months.
I am not saying that the problem in this case may not be the LCD panel, just that in my case it was not.
Jerris
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 848
Likes: 1
From: 1992 LT1 6 speed Cayman Islands
Originally Posted by hippy
When you pull the cluster on a 90 do you have to drop the steering column? That thing is tighter than sht.
Also, I have a 90 cluster I am pulling out. Interested?
Also, I have a 90 cluster I am pulling out. Interested?
Yes you do. There is just two bolts that hold the column up and they should not be too hard as the torque specs for them is only 20 Lb/Ft ( Ithink it is but will look it up qhen I get home, I know it is small though)
Jerris
