I think it decided it was going to make like the postal system, and go on strike. Just another issue to add to the laundry list of stupid and premature issues I've had with this '05. I think this makes probably fifteen separate issues of faulty parts within 38k miles.

Go out to start the Vette the other day, and now, randomly, the gauge cluster wont sweep, none of the needles move whatsoever. Fuel, Tach, Oil Pressure, Coolant Temp, all flat. The cluster still lights up, as do all the fault lights right at start up, and the DIC (when cycled through) still reports all the proper parameters, like temps/pressures, range left on the fuel tank, etc.

So whatever is wrong is with the cluster itself, not any of the sensors/sending units. And it has power, because it's lit up, odometer works, etc.

Any ideas? Is there a specific fuse just for the cluster?

 

The instrument panel fuse block is located on the passenger’s side of the vehicle, under the instrument panel and
under the toe-board.
Remove the carpet and toe-board covering to access the fuse block by pulling at the top of each corner of the panel.
Open the fuse block cover to access the fuses.
You can remove fuses using the fuse puller.

There is a fuse labled CLSTR/HUD which I suspect relates to instrument cluster and HUD. You didnt state whether your HUD was still working or not......

 

Too bad about all of the issues you've had. Hope it's something simple and you get it resolved quickly.

 

Good stuff. I'll check it out when I get home from work. You know, I was so distracted by the gauges not working that I didnt actually look up to notice if the HUD was working or not.

I only posted first as it was dumping rain, I have no garage (that fits a car), and I didn't want to sit outside with the doors open while I fiddled around with fuses and manuals.

 

Thanks. At this rate, eventually I'll have what basically amounts to a whole new car. Only so many things you can replace before there's nothing left.

 

So no, it wasn't the cluster/hud fuse. I should've known actually, as like I said, the cluster was still illuminated, all the fault lights were initiated at startup, and the DIC worked fine. The HUD is operational as well. I pulled the cluster/hud fuse for the hell of it, and all of it went completely dead. Popped it back in, everything came back to life...


Except the needles. Wtf? I really hope I don't have to dismantle my dash to try and chase this down. I don't know the inner workings of these cars nearly well enough to discern what might cause the gauge needles, and only the needles, not to operate. I could see if it was juts one of them, but all? What's the common denominator?

 

Still no idea what's causing this. Can't find any literature on it, and haven't come across any other similar occurances. I'm starting to wonder if my car was a flood-recovery or something.

There's just been way too many things go wrong for a normal car.

 

The instrument cluster has its own silicon inside. Unlike the past where things like the turn signal indicators were just bulbs, the things now are who knows what kind of "light" controlled by data streams via the "class 2 data bus" or the "GMLAN high speed data bus." The tach and the speedometer get fed signals from the IPC (instrument panel cluster) silicon which, in turn, gets fed info on engine speed and vehicle speed by the ECM (engine control module) silicon.

All of this comes from looking at the service manual's wiring diagrams for the instruments.

If I were you the first thing I would try is pulling the instrument panel out of the dash (not nearly as hard as you might think) to make sure I had a good connection at the C2 connector as it's the one that carries the engine speed and vehicle speed info.

for reference:

The C1 connector handles (I'm not listing everything):

- panel lighting & dimming
- hazard flasher signal
- oil temp sensor

The C2 connector handles: (ditto)

- battery voltage
- engine speed
- vehicle speed
- brake fluid level
- parking brake signal

Without removing anything (yet) by playing around you might be able to use the above to isolate something

Oh yeah, if you do take the panel out heed the manual's call to not lay it face down for more than 15 minutes. Doing so can damage the gauges.

Z//

 

Excellent input. All a little greek, but I get the jist. Looks like it's out with the cluster I guess.

*sigh*

 

Before you do that, make a detailed list of what does and doesn't work on the instruments. If the list jibes with what's on specific connectors then we can make the guess that it's connector related. Otherwise it's probably something more and will need an analysis that only the Tech2 wielders can answer.

If you do attack the gauge removal, here's a how-to:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...many-pics.html

I've had mine out twice and it's pretty easy. Just remember to move your steering wheel all the way towards you and all the way DOWN towards the seat as you'll need every bit of room for the gauge unit to clear the dashboard overhang.

Z//

 

Dang. Thanks, brother. I was going to say I owe you an e-beer, but oddly enough, I'm from San Jose, and am moving back to California (albeit, a bit south of the bay) in two weeks. Could end up being a real life one some time.

Thanks much.

 

Glad to help. I wouldn't mind heading back to England for a while. I like it there.

Z//