I'm Running Half Blind

[GaBear]

on my 95 C-1500 the left hand side of the dash lights are all blown or just not working. Is there any way to fix this without having to take apart the entire instrument Cluster?

 

Thanks for any info....newbe here

Bear

[pennzoil29]

Welcome to the forum . If only one side is lighting up, I'd lean towards a bulb or loose wire. If they were all out, I'd say you've blown a fuse. Good luck.

[GaBear]

Welcome to the forum . If only one side is lighting up, I'd lean towards a bulb or loose wire. If they were all out, I'd say you've blown a fuse. Good luck.

 

Thats The problem I only have lights on the right hand side of the Instrument cluster. None of the Bulbs on the left hand side are working. I've already checked the Fuses. They are FINE. I was told by a parts place there are no replacement bulbs in the instrument cluster that the whole board has to be replaced. I was hoping that someone here could tell me how to replace the bulbs without having to replace the entire instrument cluster( which is what I was told I was gonna have to do).

[pennzoil29]

I really can't help you, I've never taken one apart. There are a few members that changed their cluster to different colors, and they had to take it apart. Hopefully, they'll chime in and give you some support.

[pennzoil29]

It seems that you are not the only one having problems.

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=84639

[grosss]

I had a similar problem on my 93, there was only one bulb that worked. (I know your interior is different but I can't see GM changing how they built the cluster THAT much, so hopefully this helps)

 

If you take off the outer bezel that surrounds the cluster, you'll reveal a few screws that hold the cluster on, you should be able to get to everything off with just a few screwdrivers, but you will probably need to use torx bits.

 

once the screws are off the panel just pops forward, there's a connector it kind of sits on behind it, should be effortless to pop it off of. when you flip it over you'll see some small plastic caps about 3/8" in diameter, those are the bulbs.. I think they're something like LL99 bulbs.. my local Canadian Tire (yay Canada!) had the bulbs for sale 2 for $1.00.

 

Biggest problem on mine which I understand they fixed later was that the bulbs were soldered into the cap that holds it in place, and I had to snap the wires to get the old bulbs out and solder the new ones in. If you don't want to do that (tedious) the local chev dealer sold the bulb assembly for about $14 each.

 

You could also just have a dirty contact back there and a cleaning would remedy the problem. Or there's an independent fuse built into the back of the cluster that blew.

 

I hope that helps if you decide to go the dis-assembly route.

[GaBear]

I had a similar problem on my 93, there was only one bulb that worked. (I know your interior is different but I can't see GM changing how they built the cluster THAT much, so hopefully this helps)

 

If you take off the outer bezel that surrounds the cluster, you'll reveal a few screws that hold the cluster on, you should be able to get to everything off with just a few screwdrivers, but you will probably need to use torx bits.

 

once the screws are off the panel just pops forward, there's a connector it kind of sits on behind it, should be effortless to pop it off of. when you flip it over you'll see some small plastic caps about 3/8" in diameter, those are the bulbs.. I think they're something like LL99 bulbs.. my local Canadian Tire (yay Canada!) had the bulbs for sale 2 for $1.00.

 

Biggest problem on mine which I understand they fixed later was that the bulbs were soldered into the cap that holds it in place, and I had to snap the wires to get the old bulbs out and solder the new ones in. If you don't want to do that (tedious) the local chev dealer sold the bulb assembly for about $14 each.

 

You could also just have a dirty contact back there and a cleaning would remedy the problem. Or there's an independent fuse built into the back of the cluster that blew.

 

I hope that helps if you decide to go the dis-assembly route.

 

MAN sounds like I've got a wild weekend project coming up.........Does radio shack sell the bulbs?????

[thecraft]

I was told by a parts place there are no replacement bulbs in the instrument cluster that the whole board has to be replaced. I was hoping that someone here could tell me how to replace the bulbs without having to replace the entire instrument cluster( which is what I was told I was gonna have to do).

That parts store is feeding you BS! It's extremely easy to take out the cluster in the 95-02 trucks and replace the bulbs:

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...ticle&id=10

 

This guide shows you how to convert your gauge bulbs to LEDs, but it can be used to just show you how to remove the cluster and bulbs. Any good autoparts store should have the replacement bulbs and sockets for reasonably cheap.

[GaBear]

I thought that little dweeb didn't know what he was doing......I'll check with my other parts store about the LED's

 

Thanks

Bear

[thecraft]

I thought that little dweeb didn't know what he was doing......I'll check with my other parts store about the LED's

 

Thanks

Bear

I meant that you can find the ordinary incandescent bulbs at an autoparts store. Your not going to find the right LEDs at one, though.

[GaBear]

I thought that little dweeb didn't know what he was doing......I'll check with my other parts store about the LED's

 

Thanks

Bear

I meant that you can find the ordinary incandescent bulbs at an autoparts store. Your not going to find the right LEDs at one, though.

 

 

 

Ok so where do I get the LED's that I need to convert the light panels????

[thecraft]

SuperBrightLEDs.com

 

It's all in that guide I posted above.

[GaBear]

SuperBrightLEDs.com

 

It's all in that guide I posted above.

 

Great Thanks

[DofD]

I thought that little dweeb didn't know what he was doing......I'll check with my other parts store about the LED's

 

Thanks

Bear

 

He just wanted to sell you a new cluster. A much better profit than bulbs.

 

Good luck with the bulb replacements! Around the net I've seen some nice pictures of clusters with swapped bulbs for LED's. The right colours can really set off the dash.

[GaBear]

I thought that little dweeb didn't know what he was doing......I'll check with my other parts store about the LED's

 

Thanks

Bear

 

He just wanted to sell you a new cluster. A much better profit than bulbs.

 

Good luck with the bulb replacements! Around the net I've seen some nice pictures of clusters with swapped bulbs for LED's. The right colours can really set off the dash.

 

 

I'm looking at going with Red LED's. Should match the Truck Nicely