Dash board gauges/light question..
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Spring Hill Florida
Dash board gauges/light question..
Ok, Ive seen on Ebay how (1989) my dash is 3 seperate pieces or panels. My left side, or speed, is perfect. My center, the fuel, is great on one side and dim on the right. My right side, or tach, though readable, isnt lit up at all. Theres no bulbs behind it right? I need to replace the panel itself? Fairly easy job or no? Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 2
From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Ok, Ive seen on Ebay how (1989) my dash is 3 seperate pieces or panels. My left side, or speed, is perfect. My center, the fuel, is great on one side and dim on the right. My right side, or tach, though readable, isnt lit up at all. Theres no bulbs behind it right? I need to replace the panel itself? Fairly easy job or no? Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 124
From: Reno/Sparks Nevada
If the displays are working and the only thing that is happening is the bulbs are burned out then you can replace the bulbs. They can be removed from the front of the cluster. You'll have to remove the bezel. Once that is off there are small covers that are either velcroed on or they snap in. The trick is to remove and install the new bulb without dropping either one down into the cluster void. These bulbs are halogen so you shouldn't touch them with your fingers. There was a thread with pics somewhere, I'll look. They can also be replaced by removing the entire cluster and separating the layers starting from the back. It's tedious but it's do-able. Napa sells the halolgen bulbs.
Art
Art
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 124
From: Reno/Sparks Nevada
I just found this link, it's kind of long but it works and opens up a word or wordpad file that details removing the bulbs from the front and back. It does act a little strange when opening the file but once it's open it's very detailed. It looks like it's straight from the Gordan Killebrew cluster repair manual. Very good stuff. Keep in mind that replacing the bulbs from the front is a little trickey because you can drop the bulb into the cluster void. I used needle-nosed pliers wrapped with some vinyl tape to remove and install the bulbs. The smaller the pliers the better. Dropping the bulb is a bummer so you'll either have to buy another one or remove the cluster so you can turn it over to retrieve the bulb.
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkm5wgv...l%2520dash.doc
Here's another one, disregard the comment of using a different bulb in the dash. While it will probably work on an '89 I don't think it does on '84-88 models, I tried it on my '85 and it didn't work. The second one is for dissassembling the entire cluster. Click on the other projects at the top of the pag when you get there. Good to read.
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/lightbulb.shtml
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/repair.htm
Hope this helps.
Art
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkm5wgv...l%2520dash.doc
Here's another one, disregard the comment of using a different bulb in the dash. While it will probably work on an '89 I don't think it does on '84-88 models, I tried it on my '85 and it didn't work. The second one is for dissassembling the entire cluster. Click on the other projects at the top of the pag when you get there. Good to read.
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/lightbulb.shtml
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/repair.htm
Hope this helps.
Art
Last edited by MrRenoman; Sep 25, 2007 at 12:02 AM. Reason: edit text
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
I just found this link, it's kind of long but it works and opens up a word or wordpad file that details removing the bulbs from the front and back. It does act a little strange when opening the file but once it's open it's very detailed. It looks like it's straight from the Gordan Killebrew cluster repair manual. Very good stuff. Keep in mind that replacing the bulbs from the front is a little trickey because you can drop the bulb into the cluster void. I used needle-nosed pliers wrapped with some vinyl tape to remove and install the bulbs. The smaller the pliers the better. Dropping the bulb is a bummer so you'll either have to buy another one or remove the cluster so you can turn it over to retrieve the bulb.
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkm5wgv...l%2520dash.doc
Here's another one, disregard the comment of using a different bulb in the dash. While it will probably work on an '89 I don't think it does on '84-88 models, I tried it on my '85 and it didn't work. The second one is for dissassembling the entire cluster. Click on the other projects at the top of the pag when you get there. Good to read.
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/lightbulb.shtml
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/repair.htm
Hope this helps.
Art
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkm5wgv...l%2520dash.doc
Here's another one, disregard the comment of using a different bulb in the dash. While it will probably work on an '89 I don't think it does on '84-88 models, I tried it on my '85 and it didn't work. The second one is for dissassembling the entire cluster. Click on the other projects at the top of the pag when you get there. Good to read.
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/lightbulb.shtml
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/repair.htm
Hope this helps.
Art
I'm going to contribute to his website
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
OK, I got the whole thing out. I am at the reassembly part of it...I don't have the light bulbs just yet. I need parts departments to open in the morning.
What is the deal with the Bulbs? are they special...and let me clarify
What is he trying to say? Are these bulbs not the same bulbs that plug into the side Markers just in front of the Front Tire on the lower fender?
What is the deal with the Bulbs? are they special...and let me clarify
A reader tip from Brian Perry:
I found your article on digital dash repair very useful. Thanks to you, my dash lights up perfectly now. I wanted to add one thing if i may. I have an 84 corvette, and the 882 bulbs in the dash cannot be replaced by 194 bulbs. The GE 891 bulbs are a direct replacement. They are about $ 7 each. Thanks again.
I found your article on digital dash repair very useful. Thanks to you, my dash lights up perfectly now. I wanted to add one thing if i may. I have an 84 corvette, and the 882 bulbs in the dash cannot be replaced by 194 bulbs. The GE 891 bulbs are a direct replacement. They are about $ 7 each. Thanks again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
Alright, I popped the hood and pulled one out. I answered one part of my own question
What is the deal however? Are these special bulbs that I am going to have to run all over town looking for?
What is the deal however? Are these special bulbs that I am going to have to run all over town looking for?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
Quick update.
Kragen had the Turn and Bright light indicator replacements.....Syvania 74 are sold two in a pack and two packs cost ~$6.50
Napa had the halogen bulb #BP891 for ~$7.50 each.
I bought out the Napa Store in Santa Ana just now.
Kragen had the Turn and Bright light indicator replacements.....Syvania 74 are sold two in a pack and two packs cost ~$6.50
Napa had the halogen bulb #BP891 for ~$7.50 each.
I bought out the Napa Store in Santa Ana just now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
I know that this is not my thread....but
Update to the update
So the Dash went back in. Every thing worked just great.
With the exception of the "2" on the Tach. One of the modules must have dirt under it not allowing a connection So the two is missing one line....I don't care, the thing lights up and stays lit...that is what is important.
No Black out, No Flicker, no tapping the dash to get it to light up.
If you are thinking about this Job....don't think twice...it is an easy Job to do.
One thing I'll mention. You must get the items needed before hand. The 7/32 NUT DRIVER is really a life saver. I got on that fits on my cordless drill. Talk about a time saver.
Also get the bulbs ahead of time. You are going to want to replace them while the system is out....be proactive and buy them ahead of time so they are ready to install
This should really be a 2-3 hour job. 30 minutes to pull it out. 1.5 hours to re solder, or reflow the solder joints and 30 minutes clean every thing
30 minutes to put it all back in.
Update to the update
So the Dash went back in. Every thing worked just great.
With the exception of the "2" on the Tach. One of the modules must have dirt under it not allowing a connection So the two is missing one line....I don't care, the thing lights up and stays lit...that is what is important.
No Black out, No Flicker, no tapping the dash to get it to light up.
If you are thinking about this Job....don't think twice...it is an easy Job to do.
One thing I'll mention. You must get the items needed before hand. The 7/32 NUT DRIVER is really a life saver. I got on that fits on my cordless drill. Talk about a time saver.
Also get the bulbs ahead of time. You are going to want to replace them while the system is out....be proactive and buy them ahead of time so they are ready to install
This should really be a 2-3 hour job. 30 minutes to pull it out. 1.5 hours to re solder, or reflow the solder joints and 30 minutes clean every thing
30 minutes to put it all back in.
