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C4 1989 convertible gauge problems

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Old Jun 6, 2010 | 10:10 AM
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Default C4 1989 convertible gauge problems

I recently bought a nice 1989 convertible, fairly good shape considering 166 tmiles. but i have a problem, all gauges are dead, including revs and speed. background light and dimmer working fine. this is probably a general fault as i doubt all gauges broken. I know that this is quite common problem on the electronic models, but would preciate if somebody can suggest a "likely" fault.
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Old Jun 6, 2010 | 10:23 AM
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Can you shine a flashlight on the cluster and see if the numbers are changing but led are not lit up? There are a lot of things that can cause cluster not to work. Grond wire on top of transmission is #1 behind plain ol' bulbs burned out. After that, you really need a service manual to check individual circuits. You may need a cluster rebuild but guessing gets expensive. Does the cruise control work?
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Old Jun 6, 2010 | 10:27 AM
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ok, will start by checking that. and yes, the cruise is working just fine.
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Old Jun 6, 2010 | 10:32 AM
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cruise works through cluster so thats a good sign it may be an external input or ground problem. Again, are you SURE it isnt the light bulbs?
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Old Jun 6, 2010 | 10:39 AM
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well....i am not sure. will check it out. sounds strange that all bulbs be broken, but, as I recently bought it, can't say for sure....
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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 02:43 PM
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opened up the cluster, replaced one broken bulb. could not see any electronic problem (like poor soldering etc.) fit the panel back, same result, all gauges dead. all connections looks good as well. hmm....
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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 03:12 PM
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Originally Posted by krille
opened up the cluster, replaced one broken bulb. could not see any electronic problem (like poor soldering etc.) fit the panel back, same result, all gauges dead. all connections looks good as well. hmm....

Which cluster?

I had a sim situation.

My trip cluster wasn't connected.
Look at that.
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 02:57 PM
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I had a sim situation.

My trip cluster wasn't connected.
Look at that.

checked all cluster connections, meassured the voltage, seems to be a low...on the B-connections, about 5 volts, 12 at the fuse and at D-connections.
(had to use common ground, as B1 is fed from D3, if I understand it correctly, i.e. if D 3 is unconnected, the whole C,D connector is to be able to meassure)
seems to be a hard nut to crackle!
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