C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Dash issue on 86

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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 10:13 AM
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Default Dash issue on 86

Hey all I am new to the forum I love to read all the posts, they are very informative. I wasnt a big fan of the c4's untill I bought one. I am a die hard c3 owner. But this one came along that I couldnt pass up so I bought it. It had some kinks but they were easy fix.....master cylinder, ground wire, brakes.
Here is the problem..I replaced the dash lights and it now lights up, but I do not think it is lighting up properly. I recently saw another 86 dash and only the numbers light up. On my dash everything is lit....the bars and all the back round, I can barely see the numbers on the tach and speedometer. Is this right or whats up?
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 08:18 PM
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Its difficult to see what your explaining so here is a link that should give a good insight on what a good one looks like and how to get it there.
C4 digital dash link
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Old Oct 30, 2008 | 09:44 PM
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Yeah, my dash does not look like that. Where the numbers are, the boxes are just lit up. I took a picture of it to try to post it on the forum, but I cant figure it out. The upshift light is also lit up.
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Old Oct 31, 2008 | 12:21 AM
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I always found that my dash display was dim. Then when one of my signal indicators finally quit, I took the dash cover off and discovered that 3 of the 4 background lights were blown as well as the signal indicator bulb. After checking, I learned that I should replace the dash display bulbs with the special OEM numbers (there are substitutes). OEM's are halogen. The OEM replacement bulbs are about 15 bucks each. What a difference!!
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Old Oct 31, 2008 | 01:51 PM
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i had similar issues with my '86 dash, some of the grounds were broken inside of the dash... i ran a wire from the ground outside the dash and grounded it to some bolt under the dash.. good as new!
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Old Oct 31, 2008 | 03:19 PM
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I think bulbs lighting cluster look like marker lights but not so bright so if you installed too bright bulbs you can overheat and possibly damage cluster. I think marker bulbs are #164 (they are also used for tag lights), don't use them for cluster.
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Old Oct 31, 2008 | 05:24 PM
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Originally Posted by car5car
I think bulbs lighting cluster look like marker lights but not so bright so if you installed too bright bulbs you can overheat and possibly damage cluster. I think marker bulbs are #164 (they are also used for tag lights), don't use them for cluster.
Thanks for the input. I will take the cluster apart again and try the ground wire. I did replace the 4 bulbs with the brighter bulbs and was almost wondering if they are too bright? I bought the vette with no lights so I didnt know what to compare it to.
Thanks Guys
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Old Nov 1, 2008 | 01:12 AM
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try to visit a used/for sale same year corvette near your area to see what it looks like in person.

edit : try to compare your dash with more than one...
just to make sure
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