'85 instrument panel question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 512
Likes: 62
'85 instrument panel question
I need to replace the instrument panel in my '85. I need to replace it because my cruise control doesn't work and my voltmeter is reading 17 volts when the alternator is only putting out 14.5 volts. I did all the checks that the factory service manual says to do and according to the manual my panel is bad. Who has the most reasonable price on a rebuilt instrument panel? Who does a good job for a good price? I've found several places that will exchange my panel for a rebuilt one but I don't know who would be the best place to do the exchange with. If you've had to replace your panel who did you go with, what was the cost, and how good did it work? Any help is appreciated.
Last edited by TheGreek!; Apr 24, 2018 at 09:56 AM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 512
Likes: 62
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 165
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 125
Likes: 14
From: Southern NE OH
Mine is on the way back from Bryan right now. I had no cruise control and some display issues. Shoot him an email. Diagnostics are free other than the cost of shipping. He also has some prices posted on his website. .
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 961
Likes: 237
From: Diamondhead Mississippi
St. Jude Donor '17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
I had mine rebuilt by Bryan as well. He does a great job. Keep in mind the cluster may not be all of your cruise control problem. I thought the cluster was what was wrong with my cruise, and it may have been, but it turned out my switch on the brake pedal was not making good circuit due to corrosion on the contacts. change or take apart and clean the switch with the vacuum hose going to it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 512
Likes: 62
I had mine rebuilt by Bryan as well. He does a great job. Keep in mind the cluster may not be all of your cruise control problem. I thought the cluster was what was wrong with my cruise, and it may have been, but it turned out my switch on the brake pedal was not making good circuit due to corrosion on the contacts. change or take apart and clean the switch with the vacuum hose going to it.
Last edited by TheGreek!; Apr 24, 2018 at 03:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 512
Likes: 62
Does anybody know offhand what component or components in the instrument panel goes bad and makes the cruise control not work? I used to repair damaged computer video cards and such (replacing components on the cards that had been knocked off the cards due to rough handling during installation or removal) so I'm not afraid to try replacing a bad component on the boards in the instrument panel. Is there any info out there on how to test the boards in the instrument panel and/or how to fix common problems with them?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 764
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,393
Likes: 2,741
If you've removed the cluster and there's a 'label' on the back-side it would be very easy to ID the cluster as being 'correct' for the car or maybe an already replaced. This could also ID the cluster as being correct with 'cruise'.
If there's a label post a snapshot or just the 8 digit part # on it.
If there's a label post a snapshot or just the 8 digit part # on it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,941
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
On mine the issue was a darlington npn transistor that was literally blown open. Like chunks of plastic missing. It was in the brake circuit and caused the cruise control to work somewhat... If I flipped the switch it would click when turned on but not set. That was a fun one to find. Had the car for 10 years before I finally fixed that. I also only really tried for a month. Just had finished fixing the board connector so getting it back out was a snap.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 512
Likes: 62
If you've removed the cluster and there's a 'label' on the back-side it would be very easy to ID the cluster as being 'correct' for the car or maybe an already replaced. This could also ID the cluster as being correct with 'cruise'.
If there's a label post a snapshot or just the 8 digit part # on it.
If there's a label post a snapshot or just the 8 digit part # on it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,393
Likes: 2,741
That is an '85 'cruise' cluster
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,429
Likes: 605
From: Minneapolis Mn
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,429
Likes: 605
From: Minneapolis Mn
Keep in mind the cluster may not be all of your cruise control problem. I thought the cluster was what was wrong with my cruise, and it may have been, but it turned out my switch on the brake pedal was not making good circuit due to corrosion on the contacts. change or take apart and clean the switch with the vacuum hose going to it.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 165
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Double check these-mine were not disengaging even though they appeared to be. Had to manually adjust to get cruise working after replacing clutch hydraulics.