Digital Instrument Cluster dead

[krazy86t]

Car had a dead battery and recharging/starting the car took a while because i had to figure out that the fuel pump fuse was blown. Once the car was started digital instrument cluster was dark (No MPH, Fuel, Trip ODO), but the indicator lamps in the gauge cluster work (R & L turn signals, Turbo yellow and orange, etc.) Checked the various fuses and did not find another bad one. i'm not sure if jumping the battery or checking fuses (CLk/CIG, Gages) caused this problem.

When diagnosing these symptoms, the manual says if "one or more of the digital segments do not light: Replace Instrument Panel." (pg 8A-82-6 for anyone following along; who organized the crazy number scheme in the Buick Manual?)

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Time to call John Spina @ Caspers...

 

[ALVAROG1983]

X2 and get the upgrade chip 199

 

[GRAY86T-TYPE]

Try disconnecting the battery and plugging it back in. If the battery drains over the winter in my car, the scanmaster doesn't always come on, or dots just stay on screen. I disconnect battery and when I hook it back up it work. Maybe it will work for you too even though its not the same situation

 

[GNVenom]

Some digital dash info:

http://www.installationinstructions.com/FYI/digitaldash.pdf

 

[krazy86t]

Some digital dash info:

http://www.installationinstructions.com/FYI/digitaldash.pdf

VERY useful document. Thx! Looks like my problem could be the dash PS, i'll check some simple stuff before moving to trouble-shooting that. What goes into "defective PS must be replaced" - complete PS board or troubleshooting/replacing components (Caps, transistors, RF choke, etc.)?

I see that Caspers offers dash repair with 199 mph chip upgrade.

 

[GNVenom]

It's possible to troubleshoot the PS board to the component level, but not practical. The circuitry is arcane analog stuff, components are hard to find, and the general design leaves a lot to be desired. It's easier to just replace the defective module. It is very common for the power supplies to fail.

The 199 chip is available from Caspers as well as the repair service.

 

[krazy86t]

The 199 chip is available from Caspers as well as the repair service.

Ok. hopefully i do not have to do the repair service. $299 is outside the current budget limitations given everything else needed on the car - i.e. gutting/cleaning interior to deal with foul mouse problem.

if the PS did fail, i might have to drive without knowing how fast i'm going for a while (no one would ever do that at least not under 85mph).