85 with dash problems
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: NJ
85 with dash problems
When i start the car i can see the gauges but the do not iluminate. the blinkers and headlight lights on the dash stay on though. I hit the bottom of the dash once and got it working . It was working till a week ago. I thought it might be a short but cant find any. Can someone pls give me some advice?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
It is a bad ground. If all the pins at the main plug are clean and it still does it, you'll have to dissect the instrument cluster. Even getting to the harness requires removing the cluster.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 67
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This is a pretty easy fix - I just went through this repair.
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/1999...ash/dashp4.asp
You need to remove the lower dash cover - the ambient temperature overide switch is located under the left dash, (if memory serves me correctly) above the clutch. If you can't find it PM me tomorrow afternoon and Ill pull off my cover and email a picture of my repair job.
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/1999...ash/dashp4.asp
You need to remove the lower dash cover - the ambient temperature overide switch is located under the left dash, (if memory serves me correctly) above the clutch. If you can't find it PM me tomorrow afternoon and Ill pull off my cover and email a picture of my repair job.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 28
From: Baltimore MD
My 85 just lost the cluster's illumination when I hit a big bump the other day. No blinker or headlight indicators lit though...
Good Luck figuring it out. I'll be diving into mine one day soon as well.
Good Luck figuring it out. I'll be diving into mine one day soon as well.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
I tried that ambient temp fix on another car and that wasn't it either. I don't think that's the most common failure point, but it is easier to check.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
First question: By grounding the wire did the turn signals and bright light indicator turn off?
If so then it sounds like you may need to remove the entire unit. This also is a pretty easy job. You will have to pull apart the unit and resoder the 12 pins that connect the two circuit boards. Its not to difficult to do. This web site should give you all the info that you need. If you have any questions let me know. I just went through all this 2 weeks ago. Good Luck.
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/repair.htm
the problem more than likely lies on this page...........
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/repairing_ip.htm
If so then it sounds like you may need to remove the entire unit. This also is a pretty easy job. You will have to pull apart the unit and resoder the 12 pins that connect the two circuit boards. Its not to difficult to do. This web site should give you all the info that you need. If you have any questions let me know. I just went through all this 2 weeks ago. Good Luck.
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/repair.htm
the problem more than likely lies on this page...........
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/repairing_ip.htm
Last edited by funder354; Jun 11, 2007 at 12:36 AM.