86 vet dash lights
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis IN
86 vet dash lights
Im posting this for a friend with no computer, so I havent seen car, I will be relaying info. He has an 86 Vet and his dash lights dont come on. Head lights work. where should he start checking? Thanks in advance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
I believe the there are 2 ground points that will cause the back lighting in the digital dash to become intermittant.
One is on the engine; driver's side just behind the exhaust manifold above the oil filter. You will see a 19mm bolt head with a bunch of wires going under it.
The second is in the connector for the instrument cluster. I forget which pin set it is, but I think there is a tech tip for it, and I know it has been discussed here many times, so a search should turn up some info for you.
One is on the engine; driver's side just behind the exhaust manifold above the oil filter. You will see a 19mm bolt head with a bunch of wires going under it.
The second is in the connector for the instrument cluster. I forget which pin set it is, but I think there is a tech tip for it, and I know it has been discussed here many times, so a search should turn up some info for you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
dash lights
once in a while mine don't work, I tap near the headlight switch right on the plastic facia and they come on! it has to do with the dimming circuit I think
...check the fuses...
Advanced
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
From: York pa
I don't know about the 86, but my 88 has four dash lights that light the gauges. Here is what I did...and I got the info on this forum... First lower the tilt steering wheel to it's lowest position then unscrew the turn signal lever, next remove the headlight switch **** ( there is a slot to stick a small screwdriver in the **** and pull it towards you.) Then remove the screws that hold the plastic cover on the gauges and carefully remove the cover. Now you should see 4 chrome disks that cover the light bulbs, remove them. Next I used a pair of needle nose pliers to carefully remove the bulbs and put new ones in. This method allowed me to change the bulbs without removing the gauge cluster. So I just replaced the bulbs instead of the bulbs and the sockets.
John
John
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
If your grounds are bad both turn signal lights and the high beam indicator will be on all the time. First check your clstr fuse and your tail fuse with an ohmeter, visual isn't 100%. Next, check the four lamps as they may be burned out. If the four lamps are ok, then you will have to pull the cluster, see www.batee.com . The cluster has 2 circuit boards that plug together with a single row of pins on the front board into a socket on the rear board. The end pin closest to the center of the circuit board carries the lamp current and this current through an age relaxed spring on the socket makes enough heat to unsolder the pin. Resoldering the pin will not cure the problem. I soldered a short piece of insulated hookup wire from the pin to the socket about 8 years ago and have had no trouble since and I drive my 87 everyday.
