Instrument Panel Issue
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 184
Likes: 9
From: Georgia
Instrument Panel Issue
Have 1985 pretty much stock.
Instrument panel was dim so I found a thread in the DIY about changing bulbs.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-general-discussion/2731322-85-89-instrument-cluster-bulb-replacement-guide.html
I did the "change from the front side" option to save some time.
You will notice post #4 refering to changing bulbs from the front.
Was only able to find (2) 882 bulbs. So I took some 194 bulbs and bent the folded over wires out so that they fit like the 882's fit into the plastic removable sockets. Seemed to work just fine. The 194 bulbs were a little larger than the 882's and fit up against the little silver covers that must be removed in order to access the bulbs when reinstalled.
Well after a 15 minute test ride the panel goes back dim but unlike before I replaced the bulbs the turn signal and high beam indicators came on and stayed on. If I used the turn signal or high beam they worked as they should but if I turned the actual switch that operates them off then the indicator lights would remain illuminated.
If I switch the car off then those lights would go off like the rest of the panel so I know Im not draining the battery.
Could the 194's be doing this. They dont really pull that much more wattage than the 882's they are just physically bigger bulbs. Do I have a short somewhere?
Instrument panel was dim so I found a thread in the DIY about changing bulbs.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-general-discussion/2731322-85-89-instrument-cluster-bulb-replacement-guide.html
I did the "change from the front side" option to save some time.
You will notice post #4 refering to changing bulbs from the front.
Was only able to find (2) 882 bulbs. So I took some 194 bulbs and bent the folded over wires out so that they fit like the 882's fit into the plastic removable sockets. Seemed to work just fine. The 194 bulbs were a little larger than the 882's and fit up against the little silver covers that must be removed in order to access the bulbs when reinstalled.
Well after a 15 minute test ride the panel goes back dim but unlike before I replaced the bulbs the turn signal and high beam indicators came on and stayed on. If I used the turn signal or high beam they worked as they should but if I turned the actual switch that operates them off then the indicator lights would remain illuminated.
If I switch the car off then those lights would go off like the rest of the panel so I know Im not draining the battery.
Could the 194's be doing this. They dont really pull that much more wattage than the 882's they are just physically bigger bulbs. Do I have a short somewhere?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Neither the 194's nor a short is the cause of your turn signal indicators staying on. They stay on when your cluster ground stops making connection to ground and then the ground current flows through the turn signal indicators to their ground causing them to stay lit. Order 2 more 882's and install them when you get them too.
Last edited by jfb; Dec 27, 2010 at 01:29 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Reestablishing the ground or actually running a new ground is pretty easy. There are two connectors to the panel, one has one ground and the other has two all are black, one has a white trace. Solder in a wire to each of these combine the three to one and carry to a known good ground location.
Hopefully this will solve your problem, unfortunately it didnt work on mine. From your symptoms this should work for you.
Go ahead and check out batee.com as Jhammonds suggests for a wealth of C4 info.
Hopefully this will solve your problem, unfortunately it didnt work on mine. From your symptoms this should work for you.
Go ahead and check out batee.com as Jhammonds suggests for a wealth of C4 info.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 184
Likes: 9
From: Georgia
I pulled the 194s and turned the switch on and the two 882s came right on as they were suppose to. Ill find some more 882s since thats what suppose to go in there.
I am having a hard time doing so though. Ive been to 3 parts stores and only 1 had them. It only had the 2 in stock (O'rielly). I have to call around and maybe I can get some decent customer service and have someone physically check to confirm they have the 882s in stock. Wish me luck.
Everyone thanks for your help.
I now notice that I have some serious sunfading on the Speedo in a couple areas. I guess the only fix for that is to send it in and have it rebuilt. Cant even see the readout well with the correct backlight from the new bulbs.
I am having a hard time doing so though. Ive been to 3 parts stores and only 1 had them. It only had the 2 in stock (O'rielly). I have to call around and maybe I can get some decent customer service and have someone physically check to confirm they have the 882s in stock. Wish me luck.
Everyone thanks for your help.
I now notice that I have some serious sunfading on the Speedo in a couple areas. I guess the only fix for that is to send it in and have it rebuilt. Cant even see the readout well with the correct backlight from the new bulbs.
Last edited by Slowridr; Dec 27, 2010 at 05:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 184
Likes: 9
From: Georgia
Jfb I think you called it right. I ran the car about 15 mins and the lights began to dim again. They never went out like the last time though. I turned the car off and crank it back up (maybe waited 2 mins) and it was bright again.
I assume this is a grounding issue. Ill look at all the usual areas checking ground connections when I get an opportunity.
I assume this is a grounding issue. Ill look at all the usual areas checking ground connections when I get an opportunity.
