95 Speedometer....Do I have a problem
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 941
Likes: 10
95 Speedometer....Do I have a problem
I recently bought a 95 Coupe. I have no benchmark to base the brightness of the speedometer.
With the Targa on, and bright sun, its difficult to read your speed. With top off in bright sun, its impossible to read your speed. On a overcast day, reading the speedometer is OK.
I would like to hear what other owners of 1995's say about the readability of their speedometer so I have a benchmark to make a decision if I have a problem or just have to live with a poor design.
Thanks
8Valve
With the Targa on, and bright sun, its difficult to read your speed. With top off in bright sun, its impossible to read your speed. On a overcast day, reading the speedometer is OK.
I would like to hear what other owners of 1995's say about the readability of their speedometer so I have a benchmark to make a decision if I have a problem or just have to live with a poor design.
Thanks
8Valve
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rolla Missouri
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Well, on my '96 I can read the speedometer just fine in bright sun.
Do some searches here (or Google), as I believe I have read about issues with the LCD going dim. Something about sun faded?
Do some searches here (or Google), as I believe I have read about issues with the LCD going dim. Something about sun faded?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 941
Likes: 10
8Valve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
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From: Orlando FL
Just a starting point. There is a light sensor in the dash, looks like a sensor or a hole. See if you can determine if it is working. Use a flashlight and cover it up to see if you get a reaction or difference in dash brightness.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: O'Fallon Missouri
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 941
Likes: 10
I checked that light sensor with a flashlight this evening. It does make the speedo brighter and if the headlights or parking lights are on its even brighter.
When looking at the light sensor, I noticed it was full of dirt. I cleaned it. No way to test and see if it helped as we are in deep shadowns now with the sun down behind the mountain. And tomorrows rain. I really hope cleaning the sensor will give the brightness needed to read the speedo in sun.
If the targa is off and the sun is out, you cant read your speed. Even with the targa on and the sun coming in the side window, its difficult to read.
This gives a uneasy feeling as the Troopers are Zero tolerance around here and a Corvette well.......
8Valve
When looking at the light sensor, I noticed it was full of dirt. I cleaned it. No way to test and see if it helped as we are in deep shadowns now with the sun down behind the mountain. And tomorrows rain. I really hope cleaning the sensor will give the brightness needed to read the speedo in sun.
If the targa is off and the sun is out, you cant read your speed. Even with the targa on and the sun coming in the side window, its difficult to read.
This gives a uneasy feeling as the Troopers are Zero tolerance around here and a Corvette well.......
8Valve
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 941
Likes: 10
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 941
Likes: 10
8Valve
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 163
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I spoke to Gordon Killebrew about this problem. I have a 95 with the exact same problem. The odometer is perfect and the speedometer sucks. Granted, I haven't attempted fixing it yet, because my engine is sitting in the driveway right now, and the transmission is in a bed room 
But anywho this is the fix he suggested - Just like everyone else said it is the ambient light sensor, however there is a connection for that sensor that oxidizes over time. You need to clean that, and apparently that'll fix it. Hope this helps.
John
But anywho this is the fix he suggested - Just like everyone else said it is the ambient light sensor, however there is a connection for that sensor that oxidizes over time. You need to clean that, and apparently that'll fix it. Hope this helps. John
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 941
Likes: 10
I spoke to Gordon Killebrew about this problem. I have a 95 with the exact same problem. The odometer is perfect and the speedometer sucks. Granted, I haven't attempted fixing it yet, because my engine is sitting in the driveway right now, and the transmission is in a bed room But anywho this is the fix he suggested - Just like everyone else said it is the ambient light sensor, however there is a connection for that sensor that oxidizes over time. You need to clean that, and apparently that'll fix it. Hope this helps.
John
But anywho this is the fix he suggested - Just like everyone else said it is the ambient light sensor, however there is a connection for that sensor that oxidizes over time. You need to clean that, and apparently that'll fix it. Hope this helps. John
8Valve
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 163
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You need to pull off the panel with the sensor in it. It's not difficult. The whole thing can be done in 10 minutes.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
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So many guys ask if the display is normal. We have nothing to use as a benchmark on a forum. What would be super helpful is for someone who has a perfect working LCD in his Vette and also does photography as a hobby to take a light meter reading and at given distance from the display...say 2 or 4 inches. Now we would have a benchmark to measure our light output against a good display.
I realize most on the forum do not have light meters, but a simple visit to a pro photographer would yield a simple answer....its normal or not. Because I still do not know if I have a problem or if all is well, as designed.
I sure wish the General had used a analog speedo display like the tach arrrrg.
8Valve
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 241
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From: Tampa FL
Thanks for letting us know the connector to clean is right behind the sensor. I would have started with that one and then started trying to trace out the wires for the next connection. That shouldn't be a bad weekend project when I have some free time.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 241
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From: Tampa FL
I was working on my courtesy light issue this weekend and grounded out my OBD. When I did I tested the light sensor. When I shined a light on the sensor it read 0. When just sitting in the garage it went between 40 to 55. When I put my finger on the sensor the reading went to 245 to 255. I noticed no change in the display when testing the light sensor
I ran out of time this weekend and wasnt able to clean the connector on the light sensor. From the reading I got from the car do think it is still worth cleaning the connectors?
I ran out of time this weekend and wasnt able to clean the connector on the light sensor. From the reading I got from the car do think it is still worth cleaning the connectors?
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
For the amount of time it would take to do it, I would. It can't hurt anything and it's the most likely solution to your problem. I'm not 100% sure what the readings on the sensors should be when fully active or inactive. Let us know how it works
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
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8Valve
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 241
Likes: 3
From: Tampa FL
Well I found some time and took apart the sensor and cleaned the pins. It looked like a ribbon cable was attached to the module. I scraped the pins until they shinned reinstalled the cable and turned on the car. No change. I did notice that if I sit right in front of the digital read out it looks faint. if I move to the side either way ( place head on the window or over the shifter) the numbers become bold and bright. So I don't know what is causing that.