84-89 Corvette Gauge Fix #1 Diagnosis

Update: I now offer Corvette Digital Cluster parts and repair services.
Go to batee.com or email [e-mail] for more info!
This is part 1 in the updated cluster repair series, which deals with initial diagnostics and disassembly of the top half of the 1984 - 1989 Corvette Digital Instrument Panel Gauge Cluster. Symptoms are that the digital cluster works intermittently, that the lights are very dim, or that the LCD panels are completely white and unreadable.
See batee.com for complete information regarding the repairs shown here. You'll find complete schematics, wiring diagrams, troubleshooting tips and high-res photos of everything.
Thank you,
Bryan A. Thompson
[e-mail]
[phone]

[@Michael_Lorenson]

Thanks, Bryan! This is an excellent, no-nonsense series. I just bought a 1988 Corvette with a tired cluster, and I'll soon be in touch with you to work out a program to refresh it.

[@seanshnizzy]

I’m so obsessed with these c4 gauges! I think there so high tech for the time!

[@thomasaltruda]

Bryan is the best! Got my dads dash back up and perfect!

[@jamesstpierremb]

Thanks for making my instrument panel Well again.. Edwin ..(86 C4}

[@ajbrown2013]

Hmmm I need to make this wire harness guess I’ll hope on it today thanks for that info really helped just ordered some bulbs

[@matsisaksson7192]

My 1988 cluster never works the first two minutes, sometimes not even the first 30 minutes. Then it flashes, and starts working perfectly. Capacitor?

[@pantera6169]

You are super smart. Everything except my fuel indicator bars are dark and hard to see?

[@ZZZZ-zg3zb]

I used the aluminum foil to set the contacts between the pins at the bottom PCB and top PCB connector, put some gorila tape in case it falls out due to vibrations, and it works great.

[@ManuelRodriguez-zb1bz]

Once I installed the LED new lights someone had told me that those lights came damaged the cluster and the lights burn out do they look beautiful stand out really nice I'm trying to find out if it's true

[@sniperjdp]

Can you address the issues with the pins connecting the multipal boards? I have seen the ground having issues and needed to run a separate ground from the car side connector to a better ground on frame. Also cold solder joints.

[@ThatoneFRC]

so if one of my tach numbers doesnt show the entire number, what does that mean? like some of the crystals dont light up

[@MrMartin405]

Ok question my cluster only shows parts of the speedometer like the first number but when i get into the teens and higher in speed those numbers only show partly also on my tachometer is this fixable?

[@ramiram84]

Hi I want to send in my cluster over to you. Before I do so, my tach doesnt work (85) doesnt even show a "0" Is there something to look at? Everything else on the cluster works as it should. It did just get a new clutch kit installed.

[@samlombardo6949]

I have a switch broken on my driver's information panel . Do you fix or sell them ?

[@FranksModelAviationWorkshop]

Quick question: My 84 cluster is pretty much perfect, but I have an issue with the tach numbers. When it’s cold, only the top numbers light up. As the car warms up, the rest of the numbers flicker on and off slowly until they finally stay on. Is that a cold solder joint? If not, what might cause that issue? Thanks.

[@kerryjnbaptiste2720]

I have a 1988 corvette my cluster light works fine but anytime I turn my head lights on I have no lights on my cluster and can't see anything while driving. What might be the problem there.

[@ManuelRodriguez-zb1bz]

I installed a cluster are my 84 Corvette I also installed upgraded bulbs LED.

[@seanhall4098]

I ordered a dash for a c4 and it is not working after I had to jump the car, is there a fix for this ?

[@martinbirkeland1081]

How would the cluster work if i put in a LS1 or LQ9 engine in them? would the functions for mpg etc stop working?

[@Marco_A_Marcano_Soto]

Do You fix or Sell the Digital instrument dashboard pannel for the 91 C4 and if so is it the same colors as factory or can you change the colors to any other color desired?

[@fryloc359]

I changed center panels and now it's gibberish. If I put the old cracked and faded panel back in, it works fine. I've cleaned the edge of the panels, the pink blocks, and the contacts on the circuit board. Aside from buying another panel, what can I do?

[@Miketrev18]

When I tested for millivolts it's sparked the instrument cluster lit up and then this piece in the center of the power supply started melting I shut it off is that a bad power supply

[@andrewbrouwer7726]

I think a white tone LED bulb would make the panel look much better. Since the lightbulbs light up the liquid crystals, it also gives it a yellow hue. I think with white LED's it would be a much purer green and orange

[@whitneyhamilton3110]

Need the address to send my cluster for repair

[@johnsullivan8200]

How can I get you my HVAC unit to you. I’m in Toronto Canada. All I’m missing is the cold push button. But I’ve searched and searched. Maybe you can help me. Many Thanks

[@adamsdad6513]

just got an 84 vette and am starting a restoration/ mod project. the first thing I noticed is that my gauges are very dim and cannot be seen at night at all. based on video I guess its the dimmer panel or the bulbs. everything reads and works great during day. what do you suggest? or quote if I send it to you?

[@therealjman11]

having the same issue how did you fix it

[@adamsdad6513]

+Jimmie Hoffman haven't yet.

[@joewalters16]

Adams Dad I am having the same problem. Have you found a way to fix it

[@bloke_from_newzealand4562]

Im having the same issue has this been solved yet??

[@jrrains]

How much do you charge to repair a 1988 cluster?

[@jerrychumbley2924]

I have a 1986 vette sometimes my dash works sometimes not. may drive for 20 min and comes on or may work when started then go out later , any ideas

[@AcrobaticEgg]

Sounds like the cluster has a bad ground, my 84 had the same issue. When your dash "goes out" do the high beam and turn signal indicators light up? If so, then it's almost certainly a bad ground.

[@bradjenkins5855]

Eric Periard This sounds like the same problem I’m having with my 84. How do I find where the grounding problem is?

[@brianchumbley5891]

Did you find the ground wire?

[@greenmondaymorning]

In my dads corvette one side of the screen is dark and unreadable. Could this film be the problem?

[@shujachaudhry813]

Good information

[@denzillyons3245]

Do you work on them if so how do I get in touch with you

[@bryanthompson3180]

Yes, we service 84-96 clusters. Call us at [phone]

[@fastlane2707]

My dads dash u can read and work on speedometer but the rest of the dash is lit not readable at all. Sometimes it. Go bright than deam down. Could this be the film makeing middle and trac non readable

[@SpazzMcKnasty]

I've got an 84 c4 vette, gouges light up but doesn't give any reading!

[@jrrains]

One of my turn signal bulbs stays on solid any the other doesn't work at all

[@jimmyross7226]

Need my dadh repaired, where do i send it and how much?

[@jimmyross7226]

I mean my gauge cluster

[@shujachaudhry813]

How can i get free sample of polorized film thanks

[@crazyuncleburton]

Email your mailing address to [e-mail]

[@jonathandowney7503]

How much do you charge for a replacement panel for an '85 or to repair? is dark and second mph digit not readable

[@lb4899]

What might be the issue if I can see my instrument cluster but it's locked onto certain things for example the speed is stuck at 28mph, fuel is stuck at 1/4 tank, just a dash mark on the rpms

[@bryanthompson3180]

Send us photos of what you are seeing and we’ll try to help. [e-mail]

[@kennygibbs9627]

I don't have a owner's manual so where do you put the switch on to see how much gas you have in the tank, just bought car there like 3 settings?

[@josephforcino8099]

Is a 1986 and 1989 gauge cluster the same.

[@crazyuncleburton]

The tach panels have different markings. The odometer motors are different. The 89 has no separately replaceable power supply.

[@mikesecondo2254]

The only problem I had with these style cluster is the bulb burn out!!!..lot of people go to a dealer and end up buying a new cluster.....on the vette's easy to change no need to remove...just the bezel cover and use a piece of vacuum hose to remove bulb.

[@Trump-su7rk]

So how much would this cost me to replace?

[@Trump-su7rk]

Or fix

[@williamkerr8161]

everything works great on my gauge display but the whole damn thing isn't lighting up at all . Only sometimes for what ever reason it lights up everything but then fades quickly back to a hard to see dull functional display . I'm wondering if someone can tell me if I have poor ground that's causing it or something else?

[@bryanthompson3180]

Lighting up for 2 seconds is the normal lamp test. After that, the photocell takes over. The common failure is to cause the cluster to not light completely. It sounds like you need a new photocell. See Batee.com for parts or service.

[@williamkerr8161]

@@bryanthompson3180 wow , thanks for the speedy reply . That's fantastic . I will go check Batee right now . I desperately need this corrected cause its very frustrating . Thank you again !

[@FOOL1SH]

Excellent info, are u still doing this work. My daughter who is 16 recently bought a 1984 C4 her guages seem to be ok, but she might want them refreshed.

[@bryanthompson3180]

G8FOOL Hello: Yes, we are still here after all these years! Contact us at [e-mail] or call [phone] . Thank you.

[@MW-nOttawa]

9 years too late for me? My dad just gave me his 1984 C4 with cluster issues!

[@mariocooldude9092]

Hey man ...I can help

[@jamesstewart3238]

how do I order parts thanks James

[@joepeake1878]

My speedometer does not work, replaced the part that plugs into transmission but still goes to 180 when the car starts to move, is there a gear in the transmission that needs to be replaced..?

[@larrychapman5491]

Now that it's 2019, what about LEDs?

[@j.d.2230]

If you mean swap the LCD panels for LEDs, cant be done. There are no LED panels made for C4 gauge clusters.

[@MrEbuster52]

Awesome video. Do you have a video for a cluster that lights up but doesn’t “ display “ speed or rpm?

[@jimmydavis7370]

I have the same problem The Dash lights up great but no gauges work What can it be

[@jimmydavis7370]

Does anyone no what it could be

[@justinbabula6730]

they have LEDs now lol just bought this car

[@chrisambrose8838]

My advice is don’t do this yourself. Send it to him and let him fix it! You will be money ahead. Trust me ! 👍👍👍👍🙋‍♂️🖖🏻🖖🏻🖖🏻🖖🏻

[@BenzFarm-o9o]

Dash flashes on and off while the car runs in my 87

[@mrgunaman]

This man got a 5head not a 4head

[@JSUTI1995]

I just received a cluster rebuild for a 1986 and the Unleaded fuel message and the rings around the sections are not lighting up. What would cause this?