C-4 Electronic Dash

[Jim K.]

I have a friend (I know, they always start this way...) who is going to be buying a C4 sometime soon and while I keep giving him old restorer books and try to help him plan his entry into Corvette Ownership (including continuioulsy telling him to join NCRS for all of the benefits and information), I think if I can show him this fourm in action, he will be convinced. So here is his question...
On the C4's electronic display dash board, how often do these things malfunction either partially or completely either needing repair or total replacement? Second, how big a job is it to fix or replace one?
All I know is limmited to my 61', which I can do blindfolded. So thanks for the help and thanks for helping me help George be cinvinced!!!
Jim

[Chris C.]

Re: C-4 Electronic Dash

1984 thru 1989 digital instrument clusters require lowering steering column (not removal), then remove and replace is pretty straight forward. I know they are alot easier than my midyears!

[William C.]

Re: C-4 Electronic Dash

There are a number of services available to repair either yours, or n an exchange basis (ads in eBay) and at least in my limited experience (4 c-4's owned at one time or another) they are relatively trouble-free. And, as noted, much easier to replace than my '65!

[Ernie Cope]

Re: C-4 Electronic Dash

Vette magazine had a step by step instruction article, and I completed the whole thing in an afternoon.

[Clem Z.]

i understand lot of the problems with the dash

is a bad ground connection. check the different corvette websites and do a search for the info

[Joel A.]

Re: i understand lot of the problems with the dash

Bad grounds are indeed the most common cause of dash-itis on early C-4s. After fighting with my '85's dash working some, and not working some, and eventually blowing the LCD fuse, I sent it off for repair. Best cash I've spent on this one yet($178). Got a great deal off of e-bay on repairing my cluster, not an exchange. I can give you the info on where I got mine done, if you want. Just e-mail me

[Richard S.]

Re: C-4 Electronic Dash

I had my 89 dash out in 2 hours....and repaired at a shop in Montreal for $200.....it worked perfect for a year and now the tach side is less bright than the speedo side....still works fine......but is less bright.....wish I knew if I could fix this myself.

[Clem Z.]

that shop in montreal can also

reset your odometer if you so desire

[Wayne W.]

Re: that shop in montreal can also

The light bulbs are easily replaceable. That usually solves the dim gauge problem. The most common problem I find in them is when the connector between the circuit boards gets hot and looses connection. This usually causes the dash lights to go out and it acts funny when you turn the lights on. The turn signals indicators and the high beam indicator lights up when you turn the lights on. I wire around the faulty connection to solve that problem. Its actually a rather easy fix.