instrument lights
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 165
Likes: 31
From: space coast florida
instrument lights
My instrument lights stopped working. They flickered for a while then went out totally. All of the other lighting works, the dimmer adjusts like it's working fine too. I've checked the grounds and voltage at the connector everything checks out there.
So, I'm thinking the black lights run off the high voltage power supply on the back of the cluster and I'm guessing that's where they problem lies. I've been through all the Corvette forums, and haven't found any troubleshooting for the black light system. Any past experience would be appreciated.
So, I'm thinking the black lights run off the high voltage power supply on the back of the cluster and I'm guessing that's where they problem lies. I've been through all the Corvette forums, and haven't found any troubleshooting for the black light system. Any past experience would be appreciated.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 165
Likes: 31
From: space coast florida
picture of power supply and lamps
My instrument lights stopped working. They flickered for a while then went out totally. All of the other lighting works, the dimmer adjusts like it's working fine too. I've checked the grounds and voltage at the connector everything checks out there.
So, I'm thinking the black lights run off the high voltage power supply on the back of the cluster and I'm guessing that's where they problem lies. I've been through all the Corvette forums, and haven't found any troubleshooting for the black light system. Any past experience would be appreciated.
So, I'm thinking the black lights run off the high voltage power supply on the back of the cluster and I'm guessing that's where they problem lies. I've been through all the Corvette forums, and haven't found any troubleshooting for the black light system. Any past experience would be appreciated.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
No instrument cluster lights?
I just experience the same problem, everything was perfect when I drove the '98 in December. Then it was nor used until February due to snow/salted roads. Went for a ride in February, no cluster lights, but cluster would light somewhat if the headlights were on. DIC lighted perfectly, fully lighted.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 165
Likes: 31
From: space coast florida
Fixed
I just experience the same problem, everything was perfect when I drove the '98 in December. Then it was nor used until February due to snow/salted roads. Went for a ride in February, no cluster lights, but cluster would light somewhat if the headlights were on. DIC lighted perfectly, fully lighted.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 236
Likes: 53
From: New Zealand
Please post a how to thread. Those fluresent tubes are black lit UV tubes that glow against the display. I have no idea how you would convert them to LEDs and still have a decent looking display. I guess your issue would have been caused by either both UV tubes blowing (unlikely to happen at the same time, but possible), or the inverter (converting to AC power required for the UV tubes) failing.
Both of those parts are discontinued and becoming very difficult to obtain, so if you were succesful with an LED conversion then it will be very beneficial to the c5 community.
Both of those parts are discontinued and becoming very difficult to obtain, so if you were succesful with an LED conversion then it will be very beneficial to the c5 community.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 236
Likes: 53
From: New Zealand
As a side note fwiw, the GM service manual says not to leave the cluster guage side facing the ground, as it can cause fluid to leak out. (not sure of the technology on how this works, but worth noting)
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 236
Likes: 53
From: New Zealand