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

1990 instrument cluster

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 25, 2021 | 02:47 AM
  #1  
Yaris's Avatar
Yaris
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
 
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default 1990 instrument cluster

Hello everyone.
I have a c4 Corvette 1990 and have a problem with the instrument cluster. When I turn the key on and start, the instrument panel is dark. When i turn the light on the switch, the instrument panel wakes up. What could be the reason for this?
Thanks.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2021 | 08:48 AM
  #2  
phaze426's Avatar
phaze426
Instructor
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 227
Likes: 43
From: New Jersey
Default

Originally Posted by Yaris
Hello everyone.
I have a c4 Corvette 1990 and have a problem with the instrument cluster. When I turn the key on and start, the instrument panel is dark. When i turn the light on the switch, the instrument panel wakes up. What could be the reason for this?
Thanks.
I'm led to believe that the numbert 1 culprit behind these kinds of misbehaving clusters is the connector in the rear. If you go to BATEE.COM, you can arrange either for his repair service to fix it up for you, or you can buy a kit with the components to solder up a repair yourself. He's got videos on the site that show how it's done. I'll be undertaking this shortly and I've already used his kit and video to restore the Driver Information Center in my son's 1990, so I can say his kits and instructions are both quite complete and accurate.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2021 | 11:28 PM
  #3  
jv9999's Avatar
jv9999
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 381
From: Lunenburg MA
Default

Sounds like a bad photo cell to me, but yes, batee.com is the place to go.
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2021 | 01:19 AM
  #4  
aklim's Avatar
aklim
Team Owner
Active Streak: 60 Days
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,464
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
Default

Originally Posted by jv9999
Sounds like a bad photo cell to me, but yes, batee.com is the place to go.
That is in the DIC, right?
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2021 | 10:52 AM
  #5  
jv9999's Avatar
jv9999
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 381
From: Lunenburg MA
Default

Originally Posted by aklim
That is in the DIC, right?
Right
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2021 | 12:39 PM
  #6  
ChumpVette's Avatar
ChumpVette
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 1,676
Default

The 90 cluster behavior is different than the 91+cluster.

It is normal to be dim/dark. Get the car into bright light and the LCD gets bright, then you put your finger over the sensor (The small hole on the Drivers info center) and it gets dim or dark, it is functioning correctly.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 1990 instrument cluster





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:44 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE