1987-1991 Parley with regards to your 1987 to 1991 Bonneville, Olds 88 or Buick Le Sabre Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

cluster lights gone

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 15, 2008 | 11:28 AM
  #1  
spidey3479's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, South Carolina
spidey3479 is on a distinguished road
Default cluster lights gone

My lights on the cluster went out all at once. The cluster still works except for the diagnostic, compass, and tach. Should I try replacing all the bulbs again(I did that when I replaced the original cluster), clean the contacts on the plug and spray it with dielectric grease, or just replace the cluster altogether?
Reply
Old May 15, 2008 | 12:49 PM
  #2  
Alibi's Avatar
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Joplin, Missouri
Alibi is on a distinguished road
Default

I had a similar problem with my Buick. It turned out that the contacts the on the back of the cluster weren't making good contact with the metal tabs on the dash as the metal tabs were smushed down more than they should have been..

What I did was to pull the cluster, clean the contacts with alcohol and a rubber pencil eraser (both on the cluster and in the dash). Then, I took a small screwdriver and gently pried the tabs on the dash side of the contacts out so that they would press against the ribbon on the cluster better.

I put the dash back in and it worked again.
Reply
Old May 15, 2008 | 01:26 PM
  #3  
bastard's Avatar
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 694
Likes: 1
From: Arkansas
bastard is on a distinguished road
Default

It could also be an open dimmer switch.
Reply
Old May 15, 2008 | 01:43 PM
  #4  
spidey3479's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, South Carolina
spidey3479 is on a distinguished road
Default

I'll take out the cluster and clean all that tonight, if it is the dimmer switch, just replace it?
Reply
Old May 15, 2008 | 04:44 PM
  #5  
bastard's Avatar
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 694
Likes: 1
From: Arkansas
bastard is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by spidey3479
I'll take out the cluster and clean all that tonight, if it is the dimmer switch, just replace it?
Unless you want to try taking it apart to clean it as well.
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2008 | 02:14 PM
  #6  
NHogan's Avatar
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
NHogan is on a distinguished road
Default

Did you get this figured out yet?
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2010 | 03:09 PM
  #7  
trev0006's Avatar
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
trev0006 is on a distinguished road
Default

Guys, I am having the same problem, took it to the dealer last week and they still can;t figure it out.







Originally Posted by spidey3479
My lights on the cluster went out all at once. The cluster still works except for the diagnostic, compass, and tach. Should I try replacing all the bulbs again(I did that when I replaced the original cluster), clean the contacts on the plug and spray it with dielectric grease, or just replace the cluster altogether?
Originally Posted by Alibi
I had a similar problem with my Buick. It turned out that the contacts the on the back of the cluster weren't making good contact with the metal tabs on the dash as the metal tabs were smushed down more than they should have been..

What I did was to pull the cluster, clean the contacts with alcohol and a rubber tire pencil eraser (both on the cluster and in the dash). Then, I took a small screwdriver and gently pried the tabs on the car dash side of the contacts out so that they would press against the ribbon on the cluster better.

I put the dash back in and it worked again.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jbmark33
Everything Electrical & Electronic
3
May 19, 2008 10:47 AM
radomirthegreat
Lounge
2
Mar 24, 2008 07:05 AM
fdh01bonneville
Detailing & Appearance
3
May 13, 2007 04:19 AM
Ol' Timer
Lounge
5
Apr 6, 2007 04:48 PM
rixak
Everything Electrical & Electronic
12
Jul 25, 2005 03:34 PM




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:03 AM.