Just picked up a nice 91 Riv. I usually do my homework before buying a car, but this one was too nice to miss. However, I have heard of the digital dash going out on these models and now mine is acting up. The problem is intermittent with the dash working and then going all black with the speedo reading "00" and a message that says "error" (ya think?). Also a little idiot message light comes on that says "electrical problem" (no doubt). You drive a little bit and then everythings back to normal, then it goes black again. I recently installed a new battery and negative terminal bolt. Should I check for a bad ground somewhere or is there a problem with the ECM or BCM, maybe? I heard theres a chip that can go bad,also. Any ideas on where to start would be appreciated. Thanks, new to this forum and it looks like a great place to offer or get help.

I've heard the circuit boards go bad on a lot of the early 90'* gm cars go bad

I had a 91 grand prix that had white smoke arise out of the steering wheel, then the dash board would faintly light up all the warning lights then developed into when turning the switch to start it, nothing would happen, after turning switch several times, it would turn the starter then run ok

back then they told me it was a diode that burn out and entire board needed replaced in the dash

Could be a similar issue with board has burnt out.. warms up, then shorts out

i would guess someone who has rebuilt those specific dashes would need to be contacted, maybe one of those places online that does the cluster refurbs. i think the chances of finding a good one in the junk yard isnt very good.

i had a 90 GP with a all digital dash too and nothing worked when i traded it in, but it had about 300k. not exactly sure because the dash stopped working at 200 but i was doing 50k a year and drove it a couple more years