C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

1985 digital dash

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Old Jun 26, 2012 | 09:28 AM
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Default 1985 digital dash

I recently was given a 1985 C4. I finally have it running and polished and it looks almost brand new. The digital dash has been somewhat spotty. Sometimes it works, sometimes it is dark and sometimes in between. I find that by pounding under the steering column this seems to correct the problem for awhile. Is it worth it to pull the dash? The car sat for 11 years and I will continue to fiddle with the dash. If I pull the dash to test for grounds I see no sense in not having it rebuilt. Is there anyway to troubleshoot these dashes without pulling them? External ground??
$450 for a rebuild with my labor free......not cheap by any means! But the car was free and has only 42K miles.

cmj
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Old Jun 26, 2012 | 10:47 AM
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Byan Thompson has a great How To guide on his web site.

Also, he can repair your unit for you at a very reasonable rate if you decide to not tackle the job on your own. Check it out.
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Old Jun 26, 2012 | 01:43 PM
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This a very interesting sight! How do you contact him about repairing the cluster? I will be checking out the grounds, but I suspect that this gauge is faulty if not for any other reason that it sat for 11 years in a garage with a leaky roof and no garage doors. SE Pa weather is extremely harsh on and automobile! I will email him in the meantime!
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Old Jun 26, 2012 | 07:17 PM
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Your dash is very sensitive to bad grounds. The bright-dim-dark would lead me to suggest you do a complete ground check before you think about a rebuild.
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Old Jun 27, 2012 | 02:37 PM
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Originally Posted by cadjaw
This a very interesting sight! How do you contact him about repairing the cluster?
You can email Bryan at bryan@batee.com

P.
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Old Jun 27, 2012 | 04:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Muffin
Your dash is very sensitive to bad grounds. The bright-dim-dark would lead me to suggest you do a complete ground check before you think about a rebuild.
Also, clean the contacts that plug into the cluster, that usually clears the problem, worked for me.
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Old Jun 27, 2012 | 09:14 PM
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I will try that! I had a heck or time removing the cluster.....7mm screws!.....yikes!.......I have a hundred sockets but couldn''t find a 7mm! Autozone sold me a complete set of metric nutdrivers! Matched Harbor Freights price of 7.99 guaranteed for life!
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Old Jun 28, 2012 | 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by cadjaw
I will try that! I had a heck or time removing the cluster.....7mm screws!.....yikes!.......I have a hundred sockets but couldn''t find a 7mm! Autozone sold me a complete set of metric nutdrivers! Matched Harbor Freights price of 7.99 guaranteed for life!
You can't work on these cars without a good set of metric sockets.
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Old Jun 28, 2012 | 02:53 PM
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I am finding that a switch to metrics is in the process. Funny, but I have 64 and Mopars and every nut and bolt is 3/8", 1/2" or 9/16"! What ever happened to common sense and simplicity?
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Old Jun 28, 2012 | 08:59 PM
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Originally Posted by cadjaw
I am finding that a switch to metrics is in the process. Funny, but I have 64 and Mopars and every nut and bolt is 3/8", 1/2" or 9/16"! What ever happened to common sense and simplicity?
Practically every normal bolt on a new car is 10 mm. Doesn't get simpler than that!
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Old Jun 28, 2012 | 09:30 PM
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My 86 had the same problem there is a rather crude bridge between the two main boards.
Internal heat causes the solder joints to loosen and fail. A simple fix...resolder the bridge connections.

Opening the digi dash package is a bit tricky, and requires some attention to detail. There is a DIY download in the post above that explains each step in detail. Save yourself a lot of money and fix it yourself before you break your hand......

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Old Jun 29, 2012 | 07:40 AM
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These guys are the best out there......WW

http://www.corvettedashclusterservice.com/index.html
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Old Jun 30, 2012 | 12:47 PM
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I fixed mine. It was the pins that go through the boards.Its easy enough to take apart. Banging on the dash makes them worse.
Just take it apart, you'll see the pins.Put on some magnifying glasses & look for cracks in the solder joints in the rest of the boards.
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