saxman1

the dash lights on my 1985 will sometimes just go out. This happens during the day when the lights are not turned on. If the switch is turned on, they are fine. Only occassionally. They just go out and it's almost impossible to read the panel. Any advice on where to look?

antfarmer2

Does yours have a light sensor on the dash?

Joe C

the dash light sensor on an 85, as well as other pre-90 cars is near the upper LH corner of the speedometer display. to the OP, key-on - put your finger over the sensor - see any change in the display? if not, possible faulty sensor. if the sensor is working, the dash display should dim -

try this link for repair. if you need to replace the optical sensor - a little bit of work, but not a difficult task...

http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/photocell/

here's a series of youtube videos on early C4 digital display repairs -

hcbph

I had my instrument cluster repaired by Batee last year. Great job, has never worked better.

Joe C

good to know. I fairly fortunate - my 85's cluster has worked almost flawlessly since the day I bought the car in 95. the only thing I've done is replace the dash bulbs. had two go out about the same time, and replaced the four with xenon bulbs - supposed to have a 10,000 hour life expectancy. much better than the OE halogens. that has to be 15 years ago...

Cliff Harris

From your symptoms I think it's much more likely that you have an intermittent connection in the dash. If you're not a solderer I suggest sending it to Batee.

Otherwise take it apart and resolder anything that looks suspicious. The most likely suspects are the two pins at opposite ends of the 15 pin connectors that connect the two PC boards together. They are power and ground.

ghoastrider1

I would put In my two cents here BUT, I screwed mine up. I ordered the 300 dollar kit from Baatee and did the installation myself. Result... a dark instrument panel, completely useless. Sent it back to him so he could fix MY screw ups, with another two hundred bucks. he was quick on the turn around time, did a great job and I am very happy with it. I can tear an engine down, rebuild it , same with almost everything on the vette. DO NOT let me around anything electrical or that needs soldering.