First step is to assume the mechanic is full of sh**.
C4 instrument cluster
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,183
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From: Tulsa OK
C4 instrument cluster
Well they're saying I have a short in my instrument cluster. They will have to send it off to get it fix which could be anywhere from $500-$1200 plus labor
My other option is to find a used one because they don't make them any more. The problem is when one is found, they're not sure if the mileage is already programed in that cluster.
Does anybody have any experiance with this or now anything about the instrument cluster?
Where who be a good place to look for one?
Thanks for the help,
Jay
My other option is to find a used one because they don't make them any more. The problem is when one is found, they're not sure if the mileage is already programed in that cluster.
Does anybody have any experiance with this or now anything about the instrument cluster?
Where who be a good place to look for one?
Thanks for the help,
Jay
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 60
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http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/problems.shtml
http://www.corvettedashclusterservic...terinfo84.html
Try these 2 links. If you can fix it yourself using the first link...Bonus!
If not then the second link may be much cheaper for you. Good luck. Mike
http://www.corvettedashclusterservic...terinfo84.html
Try these 2 links. If you can fix it yourself using the first link...Bonus!
If not then the second link may be much cheaper for you. Good luck. Mike
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa OK
Maybe I should have said what it is doing:o The short is causing the battery to drain dead in about 6 or 7 hours. There is a drain on 3 circuits of fuses. They have traced it down to a short somewhere in the instrument cluster.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 908
Likes: 1
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
#1, Guy working on your car thinks the miles are stored in the cluster maybe. Bad sign
# 2 Guy thinks 3 circuits go from batt to dash cluster, even when ignition is off? News to me.
Maybe bubba has your car? If you pull the cluster out, which is easy, and the battery doesn't go flat overnight, it obviously isn't the problem. I've found a lot of mechanics know nothing about electricity. It's just my opinion, but you may have found one of those.
In my book, you look for a short by pulling the fuses out and reinstalling them one at a time till the culprit is apparent. Of course having an ammeter inline with the batt is required, and it's somewhat complicated by the fact some circuts draw power even with ignition off. But, battery dischage in 6-7 hours would take something measured in several amps, 4 or more, and that wouldn't be normal for a healthy circuit anywhere when the car is at ignition off.
# 2 Guy thinks 3 circuits go from batt to dash cluster, even when ignition is off? News to me.
Maybe bubba has your car? If you pull the cluster out, which is easy, and the battery doesn't go flat overnight, it obviously isn't the problem. I've found a lot of mechanics know nothing about electricity. It's just my opinion, but you may have found one of those.
In my book, you look for a short by pulling the fuses out and reinstalling them one at a time till the culprit is apparent. Of course having an ammeter inline with the batt is required, and it's somewhat complicated by the fact some circuts draw power even with ignition off. But, battery dischage in 6-7 hours would take something measured in several amps, 4 or more, and that wouldn't be normal for a healthy circuit anywhere when the car is at ignition off.
Last edited by scranage; Dec 19, 2006 at 12:04 AM. Reason: spelling
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
First step is to assume the mechanic is full of sh**.
Now would be a great time to pick up a copy of the GM Shop Manual from HELM.
On my '88 only the LCD and the TAIL fuses to the cluster are hot all the time.
Did you do the drain check or was it the mechanic??
If you decide on trying a used cluster, give Contemporary Corvette (link on my site) a call.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
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From: Lawrenceville PA
http://www.corvettedashclusterservic...0Clusters.html
Try this guy if all else fails. $185 is alot better than what he's telling you.
Try this guy if all else fails. $185 is alot better than what he's telling you.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Dickson Tennessee
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
It was digital, but had nothing else in common. The Cadillac DeVilles were digital also. Those were illuminated by LCDs, unlike the vette which was reverse LCD with incandescent illumination.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,183
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From: Tulsa OK
"They" is Rudi's Corvette Specialties. They have always worked on my vette and have done a good job. The ower has a '96 himself. He didn't say anything about the milage, that came from Chris at Superior Chevy.This is the Chris that the forum recommended for parts. He said they would also have to send the cluster off if they were working on it.
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,478
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From: Sacramento, CA Money can't buy happiness - but it's more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than a Yugo.
I also agree with what scranage has posted in that a full battery drain in 6~7 hours is similar to a full battery charge in 6~7 hours, it would require around 2~4 amps continuous. That's a pretty significant drain. Something should be getting rather hot. I wholeheartedly agree that even good mechanics are often quite lousy at troubleshooting electrical issues. You might consider a second opinion from an automotive electrical shop. A place that does automotive electrical work, not just some auto stereo installer. With you bringing in the Helms FSM electrical schematics, they should be able to find a 2+ amp problem pretty quick.
Last edited by Mike_88Z51; Dec 19, 2006 at 06:34 PM.
