Instrument Cluster lights go out
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Pendleton OR
Instrument Cluster lights go out
Hey Guys, I'm new to the forum, I recently got an 84 vette, but it has a problem with the instrument readout going black a few seconds after you start the engine. It will come on again if you turn on the park or headlights. Also it blows the guages fuse sometimes. Other than that it's a really nice car. :) Thanks in advance for any help.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,153
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Instrument Cluster lights go out (RickT)
Take out the digidash unit, and have it taken apart and resoldered. You should also replace the 4 bulbs inside.
This is a common problem, you should run a search, and youll find plenty of information.
This is a common problem, you should run a search, and youll find plenty of information.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Instrument Cluster lights go out (RickT)
The cluster has two circuit boards and the forward board has a single row of pins that plug into the rear board. The pin closest to the center of the circuit board carries the lamp current and the age relaxed spring on the socket for this pin causes connection resistance which generates heat to the point that it unsolders the pin. Resoldering the pin won't work and replacing the pin and then the socket can be avoided by soldering a short insulated piece of hookup wire (I used #26) from the pin to the socket will permanently fix this problem. Blowing fuses may be related to this problem.
