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1986 Cluster Backlighting
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Sterling Heights MI
1986 Cluster Backlighting
I'm troubleshooting a backlighting problem I've been having with my instrument cluster. When I turn the headlights on, the cluster backlighting does not come on. I do, however, get all the other backlighting (radio, A/C, shifter, etc) and the dimmer works properly. I checked the inst panel fuses with no sucess. The panel was just working a week ago, but I tore into the dash to fix another issue, and now it's not working. Therefore, I dont believe that the cluster is bad. Is there something I'm missing?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,316
Likes: 246
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
All I can offer is this http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Instr...%20Cluster.pdf
It should help you diagnose where the problem is.
It should help you diagnose where the problem is.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/repairing_ip.htm
I think you will find the answer to your problem on this page. I had basically the same problem. Replaced the bulbs then reinstalled the cluster only to find out that the new bulbs worked but the rest of the cluster did not. You may need to resoder the connector pins as shown in figures 4 & 5.
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/1999...ash/dashp4.asp
This may be a long shot but also make sure the ground, detailed on the above page is good. Hope this helps.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
This is the first thing you should do and worth the effort. You will need to remove the cluster and take the cluster apart until you can see the two circuit boards. The circuit boards plug together via a single row of pins on the front board into a socket on the rear board (as the driver sees them). The end pin closest to the center of the circuit board carries the backlight lamp current and this current through the resistance connection caused by the age relaxed spring tension on the socket causes the pin to get hot enough to unsolder and make the backlighting intermittent and then off. Resoldering the pin will not cure this problem. Solder a short piece of small insulated hookup wire from the pin to the socket and you won't have this problem anymore. I did this about 8 years ago to my 87 and it still works fine. Of course, look at the end pin first to determine if it unsoldered itself.
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