Anyone who cant fix the cluster on a 1985 doesnt deserve to own a vette. It is so easy to change the 3 capicitors in the power supply. It cost less than $1.85 to buy them and maybe 15min to do. To pay $300.00 to have some elese to do the work is just nuts..

 

You should post up some pics. Im not very savy when it comes to electrical items like that. When the times comes, I'll do it myself.

 

There are many things that can go wrong with the cluster. Was yours simply blank or were you occasionally getting erratic readings? I suspect this is the problem with mine.

 

Great job!
I fixed a few non- Vette clusters by resoldering

 

Thats fine, BUT....there are much more complicated circuits on the cluster circuit boards that require some sophisticated test equipment and serious electronics knowledge in order to determine what is wrong and what to do about it. To across the board state that one shouldn't own a Corvette if you cannot fix your cluster is a statement offered by someone that isn't very smart themselves. Schematic diagrams are not available for clusters, nor are specialty parts.

 

I couldn't agree more with the last poster, there are no schematics for the board from 84-88 even on batee.com, I tried replacing a resistor myself, and it did help, but the board did still not light up, because of a lack of schematics on the power supply board, I also sent mine out. Saying its an 'easy' job is completely ridiculous.

 

I would phrase it this way, anyone who is not willing to try the easy fixes (resoldering cold solder joints, especially at the the connectors, changing light bulbs, possibly some of the discete components like capacitors and resistors) will have to pay $300 to get the cluster fixed.
For anyone without any soldering experience the cluster is not a good place to learn, especially if you are going to use your wife's soldering iron she uses for making stained glass art.
When I fixed my cluster (cold solder joints at the connectors) I tried to look up the IC's but there was no information available on the net or in my limited collection of data books so along with no schematics troubleshooting would be very difficult.

 

Are these not the schematics or are you talking about something different?

http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/c...ns/index.shtml

 

BWD111.
I think this arrogant statement of yours indicate that you do not know much about the cluster and the complicated circuitry.
That you have been fortunate to have diagnosed the power supply is good but that is the most simple part of the circuitry. I think I think you will meet yourself in door soon with this attitude.
The cluster in itself has a more complicated circuitry than the ECM. Some places there are recommendations to mend some specific failures and that is good. Not all people owning a Corvette are electronic engineers and they can in fact enjoy their vehicles.
Thar said I wish you good luck with the Corvette and hope the cluster will proceed working for you.

 

Well said. We have some new members who are eager to post sometimes.

 

True very true.. But yes the problem is the caps. Well 98% is --Just change out the 4 caps in the ps then run a wire from main cap from pin 12 to main cap on 2nd board.. I know confusing-- (this is optional running the wire ) All this does is make a ground if you have bad solder joint -- But its like a 10 min job Open the clutser and remove the caps go to radio shack get the caps and replace.. But yes dont bag on other for not knowing how to change a cap bwd111. Its like corvette Mike giving you crap for not using the right hair conditioner..

 

I wonder why I seem to be such a bad guy here. No wonder im losing interest in the C4 section of this forum. Later.........Mike

 

Sorry Mike I was baggin on the other guy not you. Just making a point that you were right.. Sorry Mike

 

I also found some rubber from an old knee pad and cut the strips and placed them at each corner (all four) around the inside of the cluster to absorb vibration. It worked great

 

Big wave,

Wow, you have 9 posts here now and dig up this old pointless thread and comment about me like that?

So big wave did you introduce your self to the forum here yet since you are an electrical guru and a nOOb?

 

I guess I will have to turn my keys over to someone else. I dont deserve to own my vette because I bought a rebuit cluster.

 

Thats me all right--The easiest way to spot a noob is by lack of skill or unfamiliarity with venue protocols. Every online arena has its own netiquette, whether it’s Internet Relay Chat (IRC), USENET Newsgroups, the World Wide Web (WWW), a virtual world such as Second Life, or a competitive game room. General rules or guidelines make the arena more fun for everyone, and breaking them cluelessly can result in being called a noob or being flamed (verbally attacked).

Luckily, most online venues feature areas for newbies to gather where they can learn about the venue before venturing into the fray. IRC features chat rooms specifically for newbies where experienced users answer questions. A noob can find newbie newsgroups in USENET, and Web forums generally have terms and use policies posted that suffice. In the gaming world a noob can have a little harder time at first, but it might help to realize that everyone started out as a noob at some point.

Though we have come to think of noob as originating online, the U.S. Army used the term “newbie” during the Vietnam War (1959-1975) to refer to newly arriving soldiers in the field. Another military term, “Non-Useful Body (N.U.B.)” referred to submarine sailors that had not yet gained enough experience to be especially helpful in

 

Thank you for all that information. I just came here
to the forum first without getting proper training.

Maybe you could start a thread in Off Topic here for us here so we can be just like you.

 

Usually its the caps.. The other componets never need changing.

 

To all,
This is a crazy and ambiguous contest of to fix or not to fix on your own. We all have our own knowledge base and comfort zone of which we use to repair ourselves or pay the price for someone else to do. I personally have a lot of electronic knowledge but I don't think I would attemp to completely rebuild my 700R4 transmission, although I do all my own wrenching on my cars and bikes. Sometimes the time for the repair dictates whether to have it done or do it yourself, learning curves can be hell. Now back to the cluster. The cluster is very complicated for someone who does not have the kowledge of the components, such as CMOS components that can be destroyed just by static electricity. It would really stink to go in just replace a capacitor on the power supply and blow up a CMOS processor, which would definately be beyond the average joe to not only troubleshoot but to replace the component.
Woody