hyperhank

I just attempted to fix my 94 LS instrument panel. My problems were black and flickering dash lights when cold, fuel gauge needle was stuck on E. 3 out of 4 needles were partially blacked out also. I have read as much as possible from all the different sites over the last couple of months before i took that instrument cluster apart. When it got to soldering the 3 capacitors, which i picked up for a couple of dollars, it looked like the soldering job needed more exact fine skill than I was willing to risk. Someone mentioned taking their boards to a tv repair shop with the capacitors. I searched BBB for someone reputable and took the parts in. He soldered on the 3 capacitors for $30. That problem fixed.

The needles have a black sheath film that surrounds the bottom, sides, and the end of the needle. That i guess carries electricity. On my needles the film was cracked and split open like a banana peel sideways at the halfway point on the needles. The film also was not touching the needle at the halfway point. My speedometer needle's film just fell off completely when i touched it. Someone else on one of the boards mentioned fixing the needles with window defrost repair kit, $12.95 at Pep Boys. I painted the defrost repair kit solution on the back and sides of the needle and then scraped a fine straight segment on the front of the needle with a razor blade. That needle is working correctly now.

The other needles I tried to paint inside the peeled film and glue the film back on top of the defrost paint. 2 out of 3 needles using that repair technique worked, the other is still dark. Should have tested it before putting it all back together.

Its a big leap, but maybe better just to take off the frayed film and paint the needles making sure there is a connection at both ends to the remaining pieces of film.

In terms of recalibrating the needles. i didn't mess with them and they seem ok.

I hope that helps people. With regard to this instrument cluster issue, it seems like a lot of posts are made to promote a few repair businesses.

Thanks to all the people who have offered up information for free in the spirit of the internet and helping others.

Hi Joe Bob1 I have the same problem of flickering lights during the cold months and dimming needles. can you provide specific instructions on how to repair the cluster? I went on the lexls site on how to remove the cluster at this address http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/electrical/...entcluster.html. Now can you give me any information as to where are the capacitors or problems that I can fix once the cluster is out or can you tell me where I can get the info that helped you... Thanks Henry