electric problems

[Henry S.]

have lost power to the dash cluster and the passenger headlight. was messing with battery when this happened. checked fuses and they seem ok.

[Tim G.]

Re: electric problems

What year is your car, Henry?

[Bill B.]

Re: electric problems

Henry,

As a retired Electrical Engineer, my first thought is that the passenger headlight not working (assume the driver's side is working) is independent of the instrument cluster not working. Try switching the passenger and driver's headlight with each other to see if the issue follows the headlight (you can also check resistance across the passenger headlight terminals to see if you have an open).

I understand that the 1984 instrument panels were sensitive and prone to failure. I have also heard the 1985 models improved the reliability but were still not robust by today's standards.

If the key was in the ON position when you were working with your battery, it is possible that the sudden removal of power, followed by sudden re-application, repeated many times per second (i.e. where you see sparks during connect/re-connect of the battery) could have damaged the instrument panel's internal power supply circuitry.

Let us know what you find out.

[Henry S.]

Re: electric problems

thank you. i fear that is the case. this is my first attempt with a corvette so am learning the hard way. have you used batee.com? are they reliable?

[Bill B.]

Re: electric problems

Hi Henry,

As a C3 guy, I didn't know about batee.com, but looked them up and they appear to be very knowledgeable and helpful in troubleshooting suggestions on their website. You might try starting with their "My 84-89 Cluster won't light up - What's wrong" link at the bottom of their page and perform the steps they suggest.

Perhaps other early C4 owners here may respond and let us know what they think. I tend to use products and services that our NCRS members on this board suggest.