Dreaded Non-Lighting Instrument Cluster
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Willis Texas
Dreaded Non-Lighting Instrument Cluster
I recently purchased a 1988 C4 Corvette as my entry into the "Corvette world" and I'm extremely new to everything. My dash displays all of the information that it should, but it does not illuminate, so I can not actually see at night. I've been told the first thing I need to do is get an OE radio for the car as the aftermarket one somehow correlates with the dash not lighting up. Any interjections before I drop $400-$500 on a stock radio unit?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
I have a pioneer in my vette and my dash works just fine. Now I am a little confused. Does the dash light up during the day? If not I'd speculate the issue is in the cluster itself. Try smacking the dash in the corners of the cluster to see if you can get a flicker. If it does then it's an issue with the board connector. If it lights up during the day then further digging is involved.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 1,642
From: Fairfax Virginia
Call Bryan at Batee.com as he is the "expert" at restoring digital dashboards. Frequently it is something like a dirty ground that can cause your issue. If the polarizing film stops working this makes the display unreadable, to test try looking at dash through polarized glasses.
Click at the link: http://batee.com/corvette/dcrg/services/about.html
I rebuilt mine and it was not hard to do if you know how to De-solder and solder PC boards.
Call Bryan and you will be on the way to having a functional screen again.
I have never heard of Digital Dash issues caused by the radio in the car unless the dimming switch wiring is incorrectly installed. There are lots of issues caused by bad grounds or a defective photocell.
Click at the link: http://batee.com/corvette/dcrg/services/about.html
I rebuilt mine and it was not hard to do if you know how to De-solder and solder PC boards.
Call Bryan and you will be on the way to having a functional screen again.
I have never heard of Digital Dash issues caused by the radio in the car unless the dimming switch wiring is incorrectly installed. There are lots of issues caused by bad grounds or a defective photocell.
Last edited by ctmccloskey; Jan 9, 2018 at 05:28 AM. Reason: remove word
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 53
From: Philadelphia Pa
on my 87, there are 4 bulbs that light up the dash. You need to take the plastic dash cover off (about 7 screws) then you will see 4 shiney thin metal covers, take them off and the bulbs will be exposed. Make sure A) there are bulbs there B). that they light up. If the bulbs are bad you can remove that by pulling out (gently) with pliers. Do a search here, this procedure has been described many time, with pics,
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 706
Likes: 47
From: Denver Colorado
If the OP could be a little more specific it would help: are all of the panel bulbs not lighting? If so, could be the connector to the panel is bad or dirty, it could be a harness issue. The stock bulbs burn very hot (halogen bulb was used) and can heat damage both their sockets and the printed circuit board in the panel. Did you check the panel fuse? If you pull the panel, you can replace the bulb sockets as well as the bulbs (must do it from the rear of the panel to do sockets). The advice to check with Batee.com is right on, he is very good with the early panels.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 422
Likes: 53
From: PA
if you wind up having to spend the 4 or 500, i'd spend a little more and get one of these.
http://vettaid.com/c4-gauge-packages/
Pretty sweet.
http://vettaid.com/c4-gauge-packages/
Pretty sweet.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 275
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
If the dash displays ok in daylight and not at night, turn the headlight **** to increase / decrease brightness. The photocell controls brightness, you can test that by covering the sensor to dim and use a flashlight to see if it gets brighter.
The headlight switch wire will signal lights are on and illumination is then controlled via the light switch ****, are the lights illuminated at center dash gear shift and wiper switch?
Usually only one backlight will fail, not all four.
The common dash issues are the two boards interconnecting pins / socket,
photocell or power supply.
Have a good look at www.batee.com website, lots of information and cheap do it yourself repair kits or get him to fix yours.
The radio has nothing to do with dash illumination, that is controlled by the photocell during day and headlight switch **** variable resistance setting at night.
Hopefully someone can post a dash wiring diagram to help, so you can check what wire from light switch to check.
Good luck
The headlight switch wire will signal lights are on and illumination is then controlled via the light switch ****, are the lights illuminated at center dash gear shift and wiper switch?
Usually only one backlight will fail, not all four.
The common dash issues are the two boards interconnecting pins / socket,
photocell or power supply.
Have a good look at www.batee.com website, lots of information and cheap do it yourself repair kits or get him to fix yours.
The radio has nothing to do with dash illumination, that is controlled by the photocell during day and headlight switch **** variable resistance setting at night.
Hopefully someone can post a dash wiring diagram to help, so you can check what wire from light switch to check.
Good luck
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 209
Likes: 24
Yet another vote for calling Bryan at Batee.com He is a stand up guy and will treat you right. He was able to diagnose my cluster problem over the phone. When I sent it to him it tested out to be just what he said he then gave me options and optional services to have done while it was there. He never tried to over charge me or make me buy anything that wasn't needed. I have never heard a complaint about his customer service or his work. His prices are reasonable. You will have a hard time spending 4 or 5 hundred with him unless your cluster is complete junk with broken displays.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,699
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
If the dash displays ok in daylight and not at night, turn the headlight **** to increase / decrease brightness. The photocell controls brightness, you can test that by covering the sensor to dim and use a flashlight to see if it gets brighter.
The headlight switch wire will signal lights are on and illumination is then controlled via the light switch ****, are the lights illuminated at center dash gear shift and wiper switch?
Usually only one backlight will fail, not all four.
The common dash issues are the two boards interconnecting pins / socket,
photocell or power supply.
Have a good look at www.batee.com website, lots of information and cheap do it yourself repair kits or get him to fix yours.
The radio has nothing to do with dash illumination, that is controlled by the photocell during day and headlight switch **** variable resistance setting at night.
Hopefully someone can post a dash wiring diagram to help, so you can check what wire from light switch to check.
Good luck
The headlight switch wire will signal lights are on and illumination is then controlled via the light switch ****, are the lights illuminated at center dash gear shift and wiper switch?
Usually only one backlight will fail, not all four.
The common dash issues are the two boards interconnecting pins / socket,
photocell or power supply.
Have a good look at www.batee.com website, lots of information and cheap do it yourself repair kits or get him to fix yours.
The radio has nothing to do with dash illumination, that is controlled by the photocell during day and headlight switch **** variable resistance setting at night.
Hopefully someone can post a dash wiring diagram to help, so you can check what wire from light switch to check.
Good luck
If the display works but is hard to read at night, most likely it's a defective photocell.
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Dash illuminates on start up
I have a similar issue. I recently inherited my Dad’s bone stock ‘90 Vette he bought new. It was his dream car. Anyway, I took it on a long road trip the other weekend, heard a loud pop at 80mph on the interstate and the Instrument cluster went dark. I replaced the fuse and all was back to normal. The next day after about two hours of driving, the lights went out again. Replaced the fuse, but no luck. It lights up when I start the car, but then goes dim. From time to time it will magically light up. The fog lights and tail lights also stopped working. The factory radio/cassette only has sound from one speaker and sometimes will reset the clock to 1:00 despite keeping all of the presets in memory. It’s the weirdest thing. I have been reading the forums and some suggest a loose ground, a link to the radio issues, or replacing the CCM. Any suggestions? I apologize if this is a repetitive question, I’m new to the forum