DIC control buttons backlight off, then, on again!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: Westport CT
DIC control buttons backlight off, then, on again!
The back-light of the middle two pod buttons that contol the DIC display goes dark, and then, lights up again!
This all recently started happening, and appears to randomly depend on the day, turn of the key, or bump in the road.
I am assuming this is not a blown bulb since it lights up, sometimes.
Are we talking:
1) Loose wire?
2) Bad solder joints like are known on the infamous Climate Control Display?
3) Possibly the ambient temperature (hot and cold contraction) of a bad connector cllsing an opening a cicuit?
Does a large portion of the dash have to come apart to diagnose/fix?
Please help.
thanks.
This all recently started happening, and appears to randomly depend on the day, turn of the key, or bump in the road.
I am assuming this is not a blown bulb since it lights up, sometimes.
Are we talking:
1) Loose wire?
2) Bad solder joints like are known on the infamous Climate Control Display?
3) Possibly the ambient temperature (hot and cold contraction) of a bad connector cllsing an opening a cicuit?
Does a large portion of the dash have to come apart to diagnose/fix?
Please help.
thanks.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
The lamp's filament is partially contacting and breaking contact... the usual for a failing lamp. Just imagine a small spring that is bouncing on the lead. When it connects, it works. But due to something called "Electron Travel", the filament is failing. Most of the time, they fail once and are done. Contact member "Tstar" as he has a source of supply for the lamps.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: Westport CT
The lamp's filament is partially contacting and breaking contact... the usual for a failing lamp. Just imagine a small spring that is bouncing on the lead. When it connects, it works. But due to something called "Electron Travel", the filament is failing. Most of the time, they fail once and are done. Contact member "Tstar" as he has a source of supply for the lamps.
Thanks!
I imagined, like most things, it just won't fix itself...
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,405
Likes: 4
From: Lorena Texas
The backlights on my 02 never turn off and eventually runs the battery down. I've been told the IPC will have to be taken to GM for an exchange unit. Not looking forward to that. I was thinking about pulling all related bulbs just to see if that eliminated the load.
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 619
Likes: 1
From: ATLANTA GA
dont ask me, thats just what happened when the battery went dead on me. there isnt like regular filiment bulbs being here.. they are led's on a circuit board so i assume it was something allong the lines of the intrument cluster was struggling for power to power all its functions '
Once the charger got hooked up, they came back on
Once the charger got hooked up, they came back on
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: Westport CT
Hey Vettekidc5 and dgrant3830,
You both have opposite views as to the root cause of this issue, and the component's actual material make-up: Filament versus circuit board LED's.
I tend to doubt the VetteKid's LED thing, but poor grammer has nothing to do with it...I've seen worse...Gremlins that is...
You both have opposite views as to the root cause of this issue, and the component's actual material make-up: Filament versus circuit board LED's.
I tend to doubt the VetteKid's LED thing, but poor grammer has nothing to do with it...I've seen worse...Gremlins that is...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
The DIC Controller is a self-contained item. Contact forum member Tstar for a source of supply for the lamps as they aren't easy to find or order a DIC controller from Gene Culley. You have to remove the IP Cluster to get to the DIC controller which is screwed onto the cluster from the rear of it. Takes about 15 minutes to pull the cluster if you lower the steering wheel and the same to put it all together again.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,405
Likes: 4
From: Lorena Texas
The DIC Controller is a self-contained item. Contact forum member Tstar for a source of supply for the lamps as they aren't easy to find or order a DIC controller from Gene Culley. You have to remove the IP Cluster to get to the DIC controller which is screwed onto the cluster from the rear of it. Takes about 15 minutes to pull the cluster if you lower the steering wheel and the same to put it all together again.
Is it possible that the controller is causing my back lights to stay on all the time?
Thanks
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Its possible via the light sensor. The back lighting for the IP Cluster, HVAC, Radio and etc, is controlled by the BCM. The BCM receives its lighting requirements from two different sources. One source is the small light sensor in the DIC controller which during the daytime runs the brightness of the HVAC and Radio indications. When the lamps are on either via the headlamp switch or the twightlight sentinel, the brightness for all indicators comes from the dimmer.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I suggest that you send a PM to Bill Curlee about this as he can point you to a specific location rather than my in general directions...might save some time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
If anyone only needs a bulb or two I can just send them to you while my spares supply lasts. Consider it an early Ho Ho... 
Back to this discussion on light types and backlighting... dgrant3830 (as usual) is dead on in that EVERY stock button bulb in the C5 is an incadescent bulb. The only bulbs that are not filament are the IPC gauge lights (FRONT mounted UV tubes) and the electrochromatic mirror maplights (LED arrays).
For the IPC lighting that stays on constantly, this could be a tough one to track down. It could be an internal IPC issue or a wrong external signal via the courtesy light circuit or headlight switch...
Back to this discussion on light types and backlighting... dgrant3830 (as usual) is dead on in that EVERY stock button bulb in the C5 is an incadescent bulb. The only bulbs that are not filament are the IPC gauge lights (FRONT mounted UV tubes) and the electrochromatic mirror maplights (LED arrays).
For the IPC lighting that stays on constantly, this could be a tough one to track down. It could be an internal IPC issue or a wrong external signal via the courtesy light circuit or headlight switch...
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,405
Likes: 4
From: Lorena Texas
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: Westport CT
If anyone only needs a bulb or two I can just send them to you while my spares supply lasts. Consider it an early Ho Ho...
Back to this discussion on light types and backlighting... dgrant3830 (as usual) is dead on in that EVERY stock button bulb in the C5 is an incadescent bulb. The only bulbs that are not filament are the IPC gauge lights (FRONT mounted UV tubes) and the electrochromatic mirror maplights (LED arrays).
For the IPC lighting that stays on constantly, this could be a tough one to track down. It could be an internal IPC issue or a wrong external signal via the courtesy light circuit or headlight switch...
Back to this discussion on light types and backlighting... dgrant3830 (as usual) is dead on in that EVERY stock button bulb in the C5 is an incadescent bulb. The only bulbs that are not filament are the IPC gauge lights (FRONT mounted UV tubes) and the electrochromatic mirror maplights (LED arrays).
For the IPC lighting that stays on constantly, this could be a tough one to track down. It could be an internal IPC issue or a wrong external signal via the courtesy light circuit or headlight switch...
Tstar, Just sent you a PM. thanks!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 619
Likes: 1
From: ATLANTA GA
If anyone only needs a bulb or two I can just send them to you while my spares supply lasts. Consider it an early Ho Ho...
Back to this discussion on light types and backlighting... dgrant3830 (as usual) is dead on in that EVERY stock button bulb in the C5 is an incadescent bulb. The only bulbs that are not filament are the IPC gauge lights (FRONT mounted UV tubes) and the electrochromatic mirror maplights (LED arrays).
For the IPC lighting that stays on constantly, this could be a tough one to track down. It could be an internal IPC issue or a wrong external signal via the courtesy light circuit or headlight switch...
Back to this discussion on light types and backlighting... dgrant3830 (as usual) is dead on in that EVERY stock button bulb in the C5 is an incadescent bulb. The only bulbs that are not filament are the IPC gauge lights (FRONT mounted UV tubes) and the electrochromatic mirror maplights (LED arrays).
For the IPC lighting that stays on constantly, this could be a tough one to track down. It could be an internal IPC issue or a wrong external signal via the courtesy light circuit or headlight switch...