Digital Dash Reads Zero

[85TurboTtype]

Hello everyone,

I just had my dash upgraded for my 87 WE4 and it looks like it went great. I now have readout for my gas, MPH, and trip. The only problem I'm having is that the MPH won't budge from 00 and the trip meter doesn't move. Does anyone have any ideas what could cause this? I'm assuming there is something that may or may not be connected to the tranny? The odometer is working just fine, but is analog. The gas readout is just fine. It's showing 14 gallons and I just recently filled up, so that is correct. Please let me know if anyone has any ideas. Also, the Scanmaster reads the MPH just fine.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[Boost231]

the speedo cable isnt full connected to the dash

 

[BLACK6PACK]

Is the VSS different for a Digital dash?

 

[85TurboTtype]

the speedo cable isnt full connected to the dash

Are you saying the plug in the back of the speedometer cluster? The big black plug that plugs into the back?

Thanks again!

Matt

 

[85TurboTtype]

Follow up.

After further inspection...The reply was correct, but now the problem is that the inside of the plug itself seems like its loose. Meaning that when I wiggle it around it works. If I hold it one direction it seems to kick in. Looks like I'm going to have to try and bend the prongs back into place. That seems like it will do the trick. If anyone has any better ideas please let me know.

Thanks again,

Matt

 

[GNVenom]

Matt, if the black plug is loose in the cradle, it could be because the clip that holds it in place has broken. I have seen that quite a bit. It's the center clip that's molded in the black plug that causes the connector to snap into place in the cradle. Usually the clip breaks and the connector "floats" in the cradle, causing a less-than-perfect connection. That could explain the ZERO on the MPH.

Does the mechanical odometer move at all? If so, the cable is correctly snapped into place.

VSS buffer is the next suspect. However, if wiggling the black connector fixes the problem, then you need to take the digital cluster out again, and do whatever it takes to position the black connector correctly, then carefully slip the digital cluster into place, tighten the screws, and you're all set.

 

[85TurboTtype]

Thanks for the reply John. You can just ignore my email to you about this. Its from matthewt1. Luckily I still have the black clip on my black plug, but I think its internal in the plug itself. I'm pretty sure that one of the metal prongs inside has after time become loose. I think I'm going to need to bend it back a little bit so it touches the speedometer board more securely.

Thanks again,

Matt

P.S.- You have some crazy sick cars man!!! Both of the links in your signature are just phenomenal!!! :biggrin:

 

[85TurboTtype]

Problem has been fixed. What I did was just remove the whole dash again. After I had it removed, I used a small flathead screw driver to bend the prongs back to where they should have been (internally in the black plug that plugs into the digital dash). The digital dash fit very snug this time after doing that. I also took the time to clean up the contacts behind the white housing too. This way the idiot lights would work without any problems too. I went through and changed all of the bulbs as well. Hopefully this means that I won't have to dive back into that dash for quite a while!!

Thanks for all of the replies guys!

Matt