1984 electrical problems
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 215
Likes: 1
1984 electrical problems
I have had a 84 for about 3 months now and have a major electrical problems.
1. I have a battery drain. I followed it down to the L.C.D. fuse. The stock dash cluster was not working at all and the lcd's were all sun cracked. I replaced the cluster with a rebuild.
2. The turn signal and hi-beam indicator on the new dash cluster will not light although the headlights and signal lights illuminate on the car.
3. My ground points on the frame or anything metal (valve covers) will light my test light when I touch these supposed grounds (test light clamped onto negative battery post and ground cable not connected to battery).
4. My headlights, turn signals,brake, interior, dash cluster, and driver info center have lights. all other lights don't work. when I turn the parking lights on I immediatly blow the 10amp light fuse.
Help me please!!! I don't have much more hair to pull out.
1. I have a battery drain. I followed it down to the L.C.D. fuse. The stock dash cluster was not working at all and the lcd's were all sun cracked. I replaced the cluster with a rebuild.
2. The turn signal and hi-beam indicator on the new dash cluster will not light although the headlights and signal lights illuminate on the car.
3. My ground points on the frame or anything metal (valve covers) will light my test light when I touch these supposed grounds (test light clamped onto negative battery post and ground cable not connected to battery).
4. My headlights, turn signals,brake, interior, dash cluster, and driver info center have lights. all other lights don't work. when I turn the parking lights on I immediatly blow the 10amp light fuse.
Help me please!!! I don't have much more hair to pull out.
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The corvette digital cluster repair guide on this site is helpful: http://www.batee.com/corvette/index.shtml
However, it sounds as if you have more issues than just the dash cluster 
Gary
Gary
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
1st would be to get a FSM, great and best friend you can have.
2nd: If you use the search function, include archives you can get alot of into on most of your problems and testing procedures.
3rd: Agree, you have alot of small problems, pick one and start there...
2nd: If you use the search function, include archives you can get alot of into on most of your problems and testing procedures.
3rd: Agree, you have alot of small problems, pick one and start there...
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
The rebuilt cluster should not draw very much, "off", current and certainly should not light a test light connected in place of the lcd fuse (battery connected). If it does, you should get in contact with the rebuilder!
The turn signal and hi beam light you should first check that their ground wires (black) do go to ground with an ohmeter. Measure the resistance from the black wire to the neg battery terminal (battery cables connected). Then, with each turn signal flashing and the hi beams on, measure the voltage on the non ground wire on each lamp. You either have no 12v on them or their ground wires are open , or both.
You clearly have a short in your parking light circuit and you will have to trace the wires to see where the short is. You will have to check the front parking lamps and wires, rear parking lamps/wires, front and rear side marker lamps/wires, and the license plate light. Most likely one of the wires is pinched or its insulation is chaffed and touching ground.
The turn signal and hi beam light you should first check that their ground wires (black) do go to ground with an ohmeter. Measure the resistance from the black wire to the neg battery terminal (battery cables connected). Then, with each turn signal flashing and the hi beams on, measure the voltage on the non ground wire on each lamp. You either have no 12v on them or their ground wires are open , or both.
You clearly have a short in your parking light circuit and you will have to trace the wires to see where the short is. You will have to check the front parking lamps and wires, rear parking lamps/wires, front and rear side marker lamps/wires, and the license plate light. Most likely one of the wires is pinched or its insulation is chaffed and touching ground.
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Hey Stick105, Are you still out there? I recently bought a 1984 and I'm having the same electrical issue. Put my test light on negative side of battery, with cable disconnected, and if I probe anything metal, block, valve covers, hood latch it lights. What did you find?
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: moraga ca
Hey Stick105, Are you still out there? I recently bought a 1984 and I'm having the same electrical issue. Put my test light on negative side of battery, with cable disconnected, and if I probe anything metal, block, valve covers, hood latch it lights. What did you find?
