Intermittent Instrument Panel Operation

The instrument panel (Gauges, odometer, tach) works sometimes but will go dark and then come back on. This is on Jim's 1995 that has been stored in the garage for a while. I am thinking it is likely either a loose connection in the power supply, or a bad ground, but is there someplace in particular that I should check first?

Thanks,
Dan

You can get to the backs of the gauges by removing the trim off the face of the instrument cluster. Some people can remove the lower dash trim and reach up into the mess of wires, if their hands/arms are slender enough. If going in from the top, also you may want to remove the steering wheel clamshell but be careful not to break the bosses.

I am thinking rodent damage, maybe.

Thinking about it more, it would be a *real* good idea for you to get a factory service manual.

Albertj

Albert,

Thanks for the quick reply and guidance, on this and the wiper issue. I'll take a look next time I can get over to where the car is. Haven't seen any evidence of rodents, but now I know how to get access.

Dan

Visited the Riviera yesterday. Saw no evidence of rodent damage or other wiring issues behind the dash. I could not figure out how to remove any of the dashboard trim panels and didn't want to break any plastic tabs, but I got a good look from underneath. Since the instrument panel issue has been intermittent, I tried wiggling all the fuses, relays, etc. while someone watched the instrument panel.  All the gauges and OD came back on and stayed on when I wiggled one of the fuse/relay panels up in the right front corner of the engine compartment. So it looks like we had a dirty contact there.

Dan

CrusinDan wrote:

Visited the Riviera yesterday. Saw no evidence of rodent damage or other wiring issues behind the dash. I could not figure out how to remove any of the dashboard trim panels and didn't want to break any plastic tabs, but I got a good look from underneath. Since the instrument panel issue has been intermittent, I tried wiggling all the fuses, relays, etc. while someone watched the instrument panel.  All the gauges and OD came back on and stayed on when I wiggled one of the fuse/relay panels up in the right front corner of the engine compartment. So it looks like we had a dirty contact there.

Dan

I wish I'd thought of that.

It would not be a waste of time to pull that fuse/relay pod and reattach it/its relays with conductive grease or tuneup grease on the contacts, so it does not hassle you by surprise.  

Great there's no apparent rodent damage.

To get to the dash - best is to get a factory service manual however in general you push the pins in the retainers of a black cover panel that is hidden under the padded dash overhang.  he panel will pull down pretty easy once those pins are disengaged. Then you remove the plastic panels (one is a fuse box cover) from the side ends of the dash.  hen you remove the screws that you found under the black plastic panel as well as on the side ends of the dash under those covers.  install is revers of removal but do not undertorque (squeaks) or overtorque (breakage) the screws.  consider putting electricians tape or silicone tape on the holes where the screw heads land,  torquing with a torque wrench/screwdriver bit, and using blue loctite so the screws stay torqued.  Then you get no phantom squeaks.

Albert

Albert do you know where the fuse for the instrument lighting is? I lost all my dash lights yesterday. Want to make sure it isn't the fuse before I delve deeper.

Never mind, I found it. Instrument panel fuse box. 3rd row down, inboard 10 amp fuse. One of my door handle well light splices had frayed and was shorting. Fixed it and all is good.

LARRY70GS wrote:

Never mind, I found it.  Instrument panel fuse box.  3rd row down, inboard 10 amp fuse.  One of my door handle well light splices had frayed and was shorting.  Fixed it and all is good.

Sorry, I was traveling & offline.

Which reminds me I have to fix the little light in the driver's door pull. It just quit.

albertj wrote:

LARRY70GS wrote:

Never mind, I found it.  Instrument panel fuse box.  3rd row down, inboard 10 amp fuse.  One of my door handle well light splices had frayed and was shorting.  Fixed it and all is good.

Sorry, I was traveling & offline.

Which reminds me I have to fix the little light in the driver's door pull. It just quit.

I used an LED. Had to drill the holder out to a larger size.