Cluster bench test?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Fountain Colorado
Cluster bench test?
Yes I have the dreaded black dash. 1988 vette. It was sent off two years ago to be repaired. They fixed a few cold solder joints and replaced the power supply. I do know that I have to replace some bulbs in it. Only one works but shouldn't i atleast get some backlighting. Has anybody ever bench tested one of these? I am trying to find out what pins i need to apply power and ground to to make sure i have either a cluster problem or a wiring problem in the car. I don't want to send the dash off to be repaired if i don't need to. I looked at Batee's website about repairing the dash but found nothing on trying to bench test it. Please help
Brian
Brian
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
First I would replace the lamps that aren't lit. Most likely they are burned out and replacement is rather easily done by removing the dash cover and pulling out the silver lamp covers and pulling the dead lamps out. You can test the lamps with an ohmeter. Wrap tape around the lamps and use needle nose pliers on the tape overlap. Pull the lamps STRAIGHT out, do not turn them! Slip some tubing over the new lamps and push the new lamps straight in with a something in the center of the tubing. The lamps provide the backlighting and each lamp lights only 1/4 of the cluster.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Fountain Colorado
Still no luck
Replaced all four bulbs with new units and buckets. Tested the bulbs before i put them in. So I know that they work. Tested all fuses with a meter all good. Tested for power in to fuses at all circuits. Gauges fuse has no power until lights are turned on and then they get 12.6 volts. I thought i read somewhere this is normal for that circuit can anyone confirm this.
Brian
Brian
