Default [!@#$% 1985 Digital Cluster] Need Context And Advice

[John M.]

The digital cluster in my 1985 has worked great for almost five years. I drove the car today and one of the elements on the speedometer began to flicker, recovered for a couple of minutes, flickered again, and went out. Cycling power did not change the behavior.

If all elements are lit, the one missing looks like this:
.. _ .. _
| |_|. _|
| |_| |_|

(please ignore the white periods - spacing is interpreted badly by this forum engine)

What's the likely diagnosis? To me, it seems like the element itself or its connection has gone bad, because the rest of them are still reading a speed that matches the bar graph speedometer. Two more questions:

1) Is this something I can fix myself?

2) If I can't fix it, who would you suggest to do the work?

[Jim T.]

Re: Default [!@#$% 1985 Digital Cluster] Need Context And Advice

John my ole 85 is still doing OK in this area. Have only had to replace the halogen instrument lamps. Real easy once you learn how remove the headlight swith knob.
You could contact Gordon Killerbrew at www.gordonkillebrew.com and get some advice.

[John M.]

Re: Default [!@#$% 1985 Digital Cluster] Need Context And Advice

John my ole 85 is still doing OK in this area. Have only had to replace the halogen instrument lamps. Real easy once you learn how remove the headlight switch knob.
You could contact Gordon Killerbrew at www.gordonkillebrew.com and get some advice.

Jim,

Thanks - I've been looking at the removal instructions and the headlight switch does look like the toughest part...

[Jim T.]

Re: Default [!@#$% 1985 Digital Cluster] Need Context And Advice

Jim,

Thanks - I've been looking at the removal instructions and the headlight switch does look like the toughest part...

John the whole switch does not need to come out. To remove just the knob on the stem disconnect the negative battery cable. Pull the headlight switch out and rotate the switch until the slot/cutout is visible (9 o'clock position). At the end of the slot, the open end you will see a piece of metal.
With a small screwdriver push back on the piece of metal and the knob will slip off easily. The metal gives the friction fit to hold the knob on.

The rest is just removing screws in the plastic. I remove the tilt lever, it just screws out. The front plastic comes out easier for me when I do. The plastic is just plastic and can be broken.

[John M.]

Re: Default [!@#$% 1985 Digital Cluster] Need Context And Advice

John the whole switch does not need to come out. To remove just the knob on the stem disconnect the negative battery cable. Pull the headlight switch out and rotate the switch until the slot/cutout is visible (9 o'clock position). At the end of the slot, the open end you will see a piece of metal.
With a small screwdriver push back on the piece of metal and the knob will slip off easily. The metal gives the friction fit to hold the knob on.

The rest is just removing screws in the plastic. I remove the tilt lever, it just screws out. The front plastic comes out easier for me when I do. The plastic is just plastic and can be broken.

Jim,

Thanks! That makes it a lot more clear...

...methinks the removal will be tomorrow. Not much time until the New England Regional.

[Louis T.]

Re: Default [!@#$% 1985 Digital Cluster] Need Context And Advice

Hi John,







Best of luck!

Louis

[John M.]

Re: Default [!@#$% 1985 Digital Cluster] Need Context And Advice

Best of luck!

Louis

Thanks for the advice, Louis!

[Gary B.]

Re: Default [!@#$% 1985 Digital Cluster] Need Context And Advice

When our `88 cluster went our dealer replaced it with a rebuilt one. Saved a lot of money.