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

HELP!! 90-91 gauge cluster

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Old Aug 8, 2015 | 12:14 PM
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Default HELP!! 90-91 gauge cluster

I have a 1990 vette with oil pressure and temp gauges malfunctioning.
I see several clusters are visually alike from 90 to 96. What is the difference between them and can i use a 92 to 96 gauge cluster to replace my 90 model????? Thanks for any assistance this is my first Corvette just trying to bring her back to factory specs again.
Terry
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Old Aug 8, 2015 | 04:52 PM
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Originally Posted by T2lamb
I have a 1990 vette with oil pressure and temp gauges malfunctioning.
I see several clusters are visually alike from 90 to 96. What is the difference between them and can i use a 92 to 96 gauge cluster to replace my 90 model????? Thanks for any assistance this is my first Corvette just trying to bring her back to factory specs again.
Terry
I wouldn't rush to judgment and rush to purchase a used cluster until you've done all of the appropriate diagnostics BUT to answer your question you CAN NOT just pick any cluster and use it. What diagnostics have you done? What do they actually do?
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Old Aug 8, 2015 | 05:21 PM
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Here is some reading for you:
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/cor...auge-clusters/
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-problems.html
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...ad.php?t=72609
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/services/about.html
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Old Aug 9, 2015 | 07:21 AM
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WVZR-1,
Not a lot of diagnostics at the moment. Just noticed the gauges bouncing from top to bottom and sticking to the max movement but a constant movement up and down very fast not a gradual movement (the temp gauge moves up and down constant very fast). Just some of the things i noticed when i got it back home. I've tested the motor to make sure that it is fine. It has good oil pressure and the temp is reading around 195 constant with external temp gauge. I have not checked the sending units as of yet but plan on that this week. I was just looking around for parts just in case i needed them. Wasn't sure about the gauge cluster yrs that would work. Being a 1990 L-98 corvette I was looking at what could be a problem.
As I have found out these cars a creatures of their own and not like most cars of that error. Thanks for all the help guys it is deeply appreciated.
Terry

Last edited by T2lamb; Aug 9, 2015 at 07:23 AM.
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Old Aug 9, 2015 | 07:32 AM
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Corvetteronw,

Thanks for the info I am in need of all the information i can get for this old girl. Being a retired Air Force mechanic I can do almost all electrical work including the soldering and de-soldering that I may need to fix electrical issues. As stated this is my first Corvette. I've owned lots of camaro's ,GTO's and mustangs. I'm a current owner of a 74 GTO that I'm building a roller motor( 463 ci) and installing a new richmond 6 speed behind it. Lots of projects for a disabled vet LOL... Again thanks for all your help it is appreciated.
Terry
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Old Aug 9, 2015 | 09:19 AM
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Default gauge cluster

Well I ordered the Sevice manual and wiring diagnostics manual. They should be in about 10 days or so...
What I know is the 90 and 91 clusters are interchangable but the 92 to 96 clusters look almost identical. Is there a connector difference or something that keeps you from using a 93 or 94 cluster for your 90 model. Just curious to know until my manuals arrive. I'm not going to dissassemble anything until i get the manuals and figure out what is the problem. It is funny that those 2 gauges is all that is wrong with that cluster. The digital screen works perfect. I do notice a bit of fading but I'll order the kit from Bantee and fix that. Thanks again guys for your help. It is going to be a new experiance as a first time Corvette owner. I'll be painting the car and do all the graphics in ppg and get ride of the stick on striping. I really love painting cars I just wish i had my own garage to do it in instead of renting other's booth's. If the weather ever cools down here in B'ham Al. I'm going to finish the GTO and then its the Vette's turn LOL...
Thanks
Terry
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Old Aug 9, 2015 | 09:31 AM
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The clusters aren't as universally swappable as you think. The display in the LCD is different and I believe there are differences in the warning-light arrangements.

Disregard the 8K reference in this post and assume the same applies for a 6K cluster. For plug n' play.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1583417163

When you get your FSM your first test is to apply the correct resistance the cluster gauge is expecting and see what happens.

A '74 GTO is certainly an interesting piece.

Last edited by WVZR-1; Aug 9, 2015 at 09:36 AM.
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Old Aug 9, 2015 | 11:12 AM
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yeah it's a lot of fun. the current 455ci and muncie m21 4 speed is a blast driving around town. The little noisy rice burners get a real surprise with that and the side pipes really make it intimadating. Upgrading to the richmond 6 speed to cure the interstate driving issues ( high revs with the 3.42 gear ratio in the rear). I restored it from a rolling piece of rust LOL... I do appreciate all you guys help. I've got to increase my knowlege base with the Corvette. Of course the gauges is only one issue. I have to get the seats redone and replace the jerry rigged parts on the engine
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Old Aug 10, 2015 | 08:13 AM
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Originally Posted by WVZR-1
The clusters aren't as universally swappable as you think. The display in the LCD is different and I believe there are differences in the warning-light arrangements.

Disregard the 8K reference in this post and assume the same applies for a 6K cluster. For plug n' play.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1583417163

When you get your FSM your first test is to apply the correct resistance the cluster gauge is expecting and see what happens.

A '74 GTO is certainly an interesting piece.

you can use the 92-96 in your 90 if you swap LCDs and rewire the Warning lights. I did that on a 96 cluster in a 91 dash..

the 96 dash had all white lettering when I was done
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Old Aug 10, 2015 | 08:43 AM
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Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-
you can use the 92-96 in your 90 if you swap LCDs and rewire the Warning lights. I did that on a 96 cluster in a 91 dash..

the 96 dash had all white lettering when I was done
I only commented on what I thought could be considered a direct swap. I've had a couple of these clusters disassembled and "for most" I'd think the use of anything other than what's considered a direct swap would be quite a challenge. Doable but "a challenge".
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Old Aug 10, 2015 | 08:52 AM
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Default 90 cluster

Thanks guys, I'm not going to do anything until i diagnose the problem first. Hate to swap out a good dash for a bad harness ground somewhere... Still looking for a few parts as well to get this old girl up and rolling again. Got to go and fix the Driver side seat belt this morning and try and clean up the ragged seat covers that are on it at the moment.... Again Thanks guys
Terry





Originally Posted by WVZR-1
I only commented on what I thought could be considered a direct swap. I've had a couple of these clusters disassembled and "for most" I'd think the use of anything other than what's considered a direct swap would be quite a challenge. Doable but "a challenge".
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Old Aug 10, 2015 | 09:36 AM
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Originally Posted by WVZR-1
I only commented on what I thought could be considered a direct swap. I've had a couple of these clusters disassembled and "for most" I'd think the use of anything other than what's considered a direct swap would be quite a challenge. Doable but "a challenge".
Yep, I was adding your comments, but you were spot on.. I found out the had way after installing a cluster to have the Warning light all being wrong.

I also tried the later LCD with too, that did not work either (LOL)
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