Author Topic: 89 Dash  (Read 5424 times)

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Offline billc

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89 Dash
« on: March 01, 2021, 05:38:48 PM »
   Hi All..
 I have an 89 coupe  with common problem of a faded electronic dash, all the segments appear to be ok but it is very hard to see in daylight and dark .. is there anyone in the sydney - wollongong area that can repair these units?  Thanks in advance. Bill

Offline toyvet

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Re: 89 Dash
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2021, 06:13:12 AM »
Call Steve sharkie At SR performance they specialist on Corvette 95974048
Also a club member 🚗🚗🚗🚗
Jorge 😊

Offline sirfixalot

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Re: 89 Dash
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2021, 09:50:15 AM »
Talk to Glen St leon at Corvette Corner in Victoria he does restoration on these dashes

Offline Vettech

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Re: 89 Dash
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2021, 08:52:04 PM »
Is the fade turned up or down ?

Have you replaced the four (4) Halogens (12v 5w each) that back-lite the display ?.

The halogens light the display in four quarters, is the total display dim or does it look like a 1/4, 1/2 or only 3/4 is dim ??.

There is a squarish hole on LH side right above the left gauges (tacho)- start car, put a smallish torch/led light over this hole, does the display (whole or a portion) become brighter, if not, then its more than likely the halogens are RS.

Plse see pic - dont worry, click on pic and it will open the correct side up (don't ask) - you can see the hole (light sensor) above the tacho. This is a LDR and will adjust the intencity of the display, depending on lighting.

I'm pretty sure I did a article on these c/w pics some time back, but it may have been in the mag. If the vehicle has spent a tough life outside 24/7 in the sun - then it may require an upgrade, if not, it needs globes.

BUT - If you are handy they can be replaced from the front without removing anything, except the front cover which on mine covers the front and wraps around the RH end, once removed, you will see four (4) silver covers, pop these up and out, you can see the bulbs, now for the tricky bit.
I cant remember the bulb type (maybe GU9), they have two hardened pins which push in, ergo, you need to pull the bulbs straight up and out, using a piece of rubber or plastic tube, I used plastic, push over the globe, & with a circular motion wiggle globe to free it up and get it moving, slowly pull upwards, thats the easy part. Go Bunnings buy a 2pak of 12v 5w halogen outdoor garden light bulbs, much cheaper than Corvette outlets/retailers. NOW PLSE NOTE !. These globes are slightly taller than the original US ones, you need a good pair of side cutters to cut each leg/pin off - at least 3mm, VERY CAREFULLY,  with a fine nail file, remove any sharp edges left by the cutters, since you need to push these into the globe holder and sharp edges will slice into the copper base. Also if not cut, they sit high stopping the silver cover/ reflector from snapping back in  - remember to seat these as they were originally oriented

I would strongly suggest that since you have gone this far, you change all four (4) globes. I have not seen any LED equivalents so be carefull of hyped up claims.

One issue with using this high wattage bulb, is that they are on when ever the car is running, the heat does cause blackening and burning of the fibre glass cct board, also four globes is 20 watts at 12v and this current draw also burns board interconnect pins and sockets plus cct copper tracks. If this is the case and requires a complete rebuild, then I recommend "Uncle Burton" in the US. He also sells kits  etc  and has some very helpfull videos.
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Offline Vettech

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Re: 89 Dash
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2021, 10:24:43 PM »
Are you going to a club run, if so, let us know we can have a look plus there will be a barrage of C3 owners putting crap on us - allways good fun.
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Offline MY081

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Re: 89 Dash
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2021, 09:47:16 AM »
Uncle Doug !!!! how can you insult us C3 owners . Who was it recommended the fish at the Ulladulla seafood markets   Ray

Offline Vettech

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Re: 89 Dash
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2021, 11:27:47 AM »
Yes you've got me there - that was a bloody good piece of fish, very healthy in thin crispy batter, and the chips were good too, but thank god I took my "fine white pepper" - the uneducated still serve black pepper with fish...?..
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Offline Vettech

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Re: 89 Dash
« Reply #7 on: March 03, 2021, 11:50:57 AM »
NOW MrBILLC. I have found the globes I used, originally I've used the garden lights, but the last lot I used were:
OSRAM Halogen Starlite 12V G4 size globes not G9. From John R Turk.

I dont mean to preach to the learned, but because these run at high temp, you must avoid touching the glass, if so then clean with a medi swab or metho. It sounds stupid but finger prints are lines of body oil which cook at temp and the glass cracks along the lines, albeit micro cracks allowes gas out, air in and poof.

In the Coupe, these said same globes are used in the high level brake light, in which the high temp causes the fittings to self destruct or with the ingress of water thru aging seals and gasket corrodes to dust. One of our Nth Coast members recently put LED's in this brake light with good results. These halogens used in this brake light do not need to be modified.

AND - try "BATEE.COM" in US instead of uncle burton.
🖕 Vettech.

Offline Vettech

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Re: 89 Dash
« Reply #8 on: March 07, 2021, 05:07:57 PM »
Mr BillC how did you go, any follow up?
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