Console will not full light, Any help?
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Prince Frederick MD
Console will not full light, Any help?
I have an 87 convertible that I am happy to say has been pretty much trouble free – until now. The cluster console is giving me a problem. It is functioning but it is not fully lit. During the day you can see that all of the gauges are working, but the four lights that should lit up the console are not on. I have checked all of the connections and even had the local dealer take a look. The dealer indicated there are no error codes. The unit first starting acting up intermittently but always came back on until now. Now the cluster console will not light and both turn signal indicators are lit as well as the high beam indicator. Every thing seems to be working correctly and driving the car during the day is not a problem, but I am missing cruising at night. Do you think it could be a loose ground or something simple? Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Scott
:seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Re: Console will not full light, Any help? (Scott_87)
There are no codes for the cluster. There are two grounds and sometimes one is bad. To remedy, solder them together. If that doesn't fix it, you may need a new cluster which you can exchange through a Dealer. Make sure you get a warranty.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Console will not full light, Any help? (Scott_87)
Drive past that dealer, if he is so stupid to think that there is a code for dash lights :crazy: :smash:
First check the 3A instrument fuse with an ohmeter. Next, check the 10A tail fuse with an ohmeter. If your turn signal lamps work, then the instrument lamps have a good external ground. You could have a defective headlamp switch, but more likely you have an unsoldered pin on the rear circuit board in the instrument cluster. There is row of pins on the rear circuit board which plug into a socket on the front pcb (printed circuit board) and the center most pin carries current to the 4 lamps. The socket spring becomes age relaxed and causes increased connection resistance which makes heat from the lamp current which further aggrevates the weak spring until the socket gets so hot that it unsolders the pin from the lower board. Remove the circuit boards and solder a jumper wire between the rear board and the front board and your lamps will stay on forever. Resoldering the rear pin won't work because the socket needs to be replaced, or you can solder the jumper wire. For help in removing the pcb's , see site , http://www.batee@umr.edu
First check the 3A instrument fuse with an ohmeter. Next, check the 10A tail fuse with an ohmeter. If your turn signal lamps work, then the instrument lamps have a good external ground. You could have a defective headlamp switch, but more likely you have an unsoldered pin on the rear circuit board in the instrument cluster. There is row of pins on the rear circuit board which plug into a socket on the front pcb (printed circuit board) and the center most pin carries current to the 4 lamps. The socket spring becomes age relaxed and causes increased connection resistance which makes heat from the lamp current which further aggrevates the weak spring until the socket gets so hot that it unsolders the pin from the lower board. Remove the circuit boards and solder a jumper wire between the rear board and the front board and your lamps will stay on forever. Resoldering the rear pin won't work because the socket needs to be replaced, or you can solder the jumper wire. For help in removing the pcb's , see site , http://www.batee@umr.edu
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
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Re: Console will not full light, Any help? (Scott_87)
the turn signals and high beam indicator mean that it is grounding itself and a wire or pin has come loose either in the digidash or the wire in the engine. A mechanic usually knocks it loose and doesnt notice it. If that stays on all the time, then the ground is perhaps the only problem. If not, you will have to go to Pep Boys and get Sylvania 882's to replace them, there are 4. Remove the plastic piece over the digidash and there will be 4 silver circles, twist and remove. Pull the old ones out and put the new ones in, and DONT touch the new bulbs with your fingers, skin oils make them overheat.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Prince Frederick MD
Re: Console will not full light, Any help? (vader86)
Thanks for the info.. Yes the turn signal and high beam is on all the time so I will check the ground on the panel and the engine. Thanks
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Paradise Valley AZ
Re: Console will not full light, Any help? (Scott_87)
Scott,
I have the exact same problem with my '88 coupe. If you get this corrected, please e-mail me with what measures you took. Thanks in advance!!!
garritygunleather@yahoo.com
I have the exact same problem with my '88 coupe. If you get this corrected, please e-mail me with what measures you took. Thanks in advance!!!
garritygunleather@yahoo.com
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 927
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From: Saginaw TX
Re: Console will not full light, Any help? (Scott_87)
Bryan Thompson aka Batee has an excellent photo essay on fixing problems with the digital dash cluster. The link is http://www.batee.com/corvette/. Check this out, there is also a lot of other good info there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 7,072
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From: Maryland
Re: Console will not full light, Any help? (vader86)
When I had my '87 in to Tony's Corvette for it's health check and some other stuff right after I bought it he told me that on mine, with the same symptoms as yours, it was a simple bulb replacement issue. :) He told me I could easily do it myself. I haven't done it yet but Tony has never been wrong on a diagnosis on either of my vettes.