chasing a cluster problem
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 99
Likes: 24
From: N/A
chasing a cluster problem
It it common for the connector or bulk harness from the vehicle to cluster to go bad? I have tried to push the connector and harness from behind without effect but I cannot be completely sure I'm working my fat fingers all the way in there and on the right spot.
I've linked two videos to what's happening. One video I can push gently on the lower left area and you'll see what happens. The second video I'm tapping the steering wheel.
When I'm going down the road and it works, it works fine. Even if you nail a pothole or some railroad tracks it continues to work fine. BUT if it's jacked up the following start it's often difficult to get it to come back. I have used the Texas (scarabexec?) guy in the past for the Atari dash repairs. I'd really hate to spend the money for something that is the issue is not actually in the cluster.
I've linked two videos to what's happening. One video I can push gently on the lower left area and you'll see what happens. The second video I'm tapping the steering wheel.
When I'm going down the road and it works, it works fine. Even if you nail a pothole or some railroad tracks it continues to work fine. BUT if it's jacked up the following start it's often difficult to get it to come back. I have used the Texas (scarabexec?) guy in the past for the Atari dash repairs. I'd really hate to spend the money for something that is the issue is not actually in the cluster.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 579
From: Mays Landing, NJ
I suggest you pull the panel and look for bad solder joints, With age it is very common to have issues in the panel. You should also go to www.batee.com and check out his youtube videos. He is an expert in the field and if you contact him and possibly send your vids to him I'm betting he will be able to tell you exactly what needs to be done.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 227
Likes: 43
From: New Jersey
It it common for the connector or bulk harness from the vehicle to cluster to go bad? I have tried to push the connector and harness from behind without effect but I cannot be completely sure I'm working my fat fingers all the way in there and on the right spot.
I've linked two videos to what's happening. One video I can push gently on the lower left area and you'll see what happens. The second video I'm tapping the steering wheel.
When I'm going down the road and it works, it works fine. Even if you nail a pothole or some railroad tracks it continues to work fine. BUT if it's jacked up the following start it's often difficult to get it to come back. I have used the Texas (scarabexec?) guy in the past for the Atari dash repairs. I'd really hate to spend the money for something that is the issue is not actually in the cluster.
Video 1
Video 2
I've linked two videos to what's happening. One video I can push gently on the lower left area and you'll see what happens. The second video I'm tapping the steering wheel.
When I'm going down the road and it works, it works fine. Even if you nail a pothole or some railroad tracks it continues to work fine. BUT if it's jacked up the following start it's often difficult to get it to come back. I have used the Texas (scarabexec?) guy in the past for the Atari dash repairs. I'd really hate to spend the money for something that is the issue is not actually in the cluster.
Video 1
Video 2
I'll be picking up the rebuild kit for my son's shortly, but I just recently finished rebuilding his driver information center with new bulbs and switches from BATEE and it seems like the kit was good, video was very thorough, and it went off without a hitch.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 99
Likes: 24
From: N/A
I have noted the relation to cold weather as well. It's chilly here today and the cluster lights up (back lights I assume) but no data displayed.
I'm working on restoring a 1990 with my son and his LCD unit has started to be blank at startup (seems to only happen now that it's cold here in NJ) and then come back on once it warms up. I watched some of the videos on BATEE.COM regarding cluster repair (he's the go-to expert on the in-car electronics on the C4) and in his video he states that yes, it's one of the more common failure points for the connector to go bad. He sells a rebuild kit with a replacement connector, but you do need to have a bit of soldering skill to do the repair yourself. If you wanted to have someone else do it, he's also got a rebuild service. I'd recommend going there to take a look and decide which way you want to proceed.
I'll be picking up the rebuild kit for my son's shortly, but I just recently finished rebuilding his driver information center with new bulbs and switches from BATEE and it seems like the kit was good, video was very thorough, and it went off without a hitch.
I'll be picking up the rebuild kit for my son's shortly, but I just recently finished rebuilding his driver information center with new bulbs and switches from BATEE and it seems like the kit was good, video was very thorough, and it went off without a hitch.
