Will a DIY digital dash repair fix this?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 13,002
Likes: 4
From: Paint Hill NC
Will a DIY digital dash repair fix this?
I have done all the research on this but can't seem to find if the rebuild will fix this problem. Washed out spots on the displays.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Have you seen the color gel films that are sold aftermarket? As with a projector, color films are placed in front of lights to determine appearance.
To me, blobs/washed out areas would be due to faded film. The Batee website shows a pictorial essay on replacement of the films. Though Ecklers does (or did) sell the films, I remember another website that also sells them.
I think they are about $99 set. Or, you could make your own if you're creative.
The procedure itself isn't for whiners. You'll need to be a patient person -- that's willing to read carefully and follow instructions. Otherwise, you'll probably damage something else while you're in there.
To me, blobs/washed out areas would be due to faded film. The Batee website shows a pictorial essay on replacement of the films. Though Ecklers does (or did) sell the films, I remember another website that also sells them.
I think they are about $99 set. Or, you could make your own if you're creative.
The procedure itself isn't for whiners. You'll need to be a patient person -- that's willing to read carefully and follow instructions. Otherwise, you'll probably damage something else while you're in there.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 417
Likes: 2
From: Blacksburg Virginia
When I bought my C4 recently, I didn't notice it until that night,but I couldn't read the display.
I recently replaced the internal film to another color. I also replaced all of the lights with LEDs. But the problem I had (and it may be the same as yours) was that I could not read the LCD display. I figured that I could see them when I had polarized sunglasses on, but not when I took them off. So what I did was buy some polarized film and cut it to fit. It looks great now. Check by wearing polarized glasses. If that fixes your problem, then you don't need to open the display at all, the film applies external to the dash. good luck.
I recently replaced the internal film to another color. I also replaced all of the lights with LEDs. But the problem I had (and it may be the same as yours) was that I could not read the LCD display. I figured that I could see them when I had polarized sunglasses on, but not when I took them off. So what I did was buy some polarized film and cut it to fit. It looks great now. Check by wearing polarized glasses. If that fixes your problem, then you don't need to open the display at all, the film applies external to the dash. good luck.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 677
Likes: 3
From: Metairie LA
It is the polarized film on the outside of the lenses. Google "polarized film" and you will find a place that sells it by the sheet and it is self adhesive.
Just be careful with the lenses when you disassemble the cluster (never tied to apply over the existing film, Hmmmm.)
Just be careful with the lenses when you disassemble the cluster (never tied to apply over the existing film, Hmmmm.)
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 13,002
Likes: 4
From: Paint Hill NC
Thanks everyone for the input. Here's another photo showing the problem a little better I think. Looks like I need to get a pair of polarized sunglasses to test out the dash as mentioned in this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...m-1989-c4.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...m-1989-c4.html
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Surprise AZ
The wash-out on mine was in the LCD glass, but you won't know for sure until it's disassembled.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...d-display.html
This is the thread to the same type of problem I had.
Good Luck
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...d-display.html
This is the thread to the same type of problem I had.
Good Luck
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 417
Likes: 2
From: Blacksburg Virginia
After further review of your pictures, and hearing about the test you did, I have a further observation. Unfortunatly it's not good news.
The LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) looks like the crystal has broken and the liquid is out. Basically the suspension of liquid between the two plates has been compromised and is no longer controlled.
In other words...it's broke, you need a new LCD.
The LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) looks like the crystal has broken and the liquid is out. Basically the suspension of liquid between the two plates has been compromised and is no longer controlled.
In other words...it's broke, you need a new LCD.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 711
Likes: 3
From: charlottesville Virginia
I've read there are different kinds of polarization on sunglasses, I dont know the technical stuff off hand but the info is out there if your research. Some kinds of glasses will make this look normal where others will make no difference at all, in my experience the cheaper polarized glasses made no difference but high end glasses worked to correct the issue, as did a polarized film. I would suggest buying a cheap piece of polarized film off the internet and trying it before replacing the whole gauge for $100 a piece. I don't want to say your glasses aren't quality, as even some very good glasses are polarized through a different process. From my research and experience the burn out face is always a polarization issue, there is no way for it to be due to bad circuitry or bulbs.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 8
Here it is what you find inside your cluster,you have to go deeper inside ,dismanting 2 twin boards coupled with a connector,then you can find a series of pink rubbers conductive contacts that power 4 LCD,the light inside your cluster comes from some hot bulbs and it is diffused over the LCD by some plexy lenses,between the lenses and lcd's there's 3 film screens colored,i think your films go bad for some reason,or simply they go out of position...
[IMG]
[/IMG]
NOTE :if for some reason you feel confident to go deeper inside this work,take a look at Batee .com site for a step by step procedure.Specially remember that LCD's seat on the bottom of cluster case and there are some plastic perimeter tabs,if you don't put in right lcd's may crack over some of this tabs when you screw down twin boards...
[IMG]
[/IMG]
[/IMG]
[/IMG]NOTE :if for some reason you feel confident to go deeper inside this work,take a look at Batee .com site for a step by step procedure.Specially remember that LCD's seat on the bottom of cluster case and there are some plastic perimeter tabs,if you don't put in right lcd's may crack over some of this tabs when you screw down twin boards...
Last edited by tunedport85inject; Jan 4, 2012 at 07:26 AM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 417
Likes: 2
From: Blacksburg Virginia
I will attest that I also followed the batee.com instructions for removing the cluster.
They were helpful.
I found the parts online to switch the color of the lenses to one I liked better, and I also put some LED lights in to replace the others. That plus the polorized film rebuilt my cluster very nicely.
They were helpful.
I found the parts online to switch the color of the lenses to one I liked better, and I also put some LED lights in to replace the others. That plus the polorized film rebuilt my cluster very nicely.
