Dim Odometer - Easy fix? - Interior Forum

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Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Monday, May 22, 2006 12:05 PM
Hello all, my odometer still functions correctly but it is extremely dim. In light or dark, the numbers are barely visible, but they are still there. This problem is occurring on my Sunfire cluster which I swapped in place of my 2003 Cavalier cluster. My stock cluster lights up fine and works properly but the odometer on the 'Fire cluster is barely visible. Keep in mind this is the first time I plug the 'Fire cluster in. Any help would be greatly appreciated, especially since I currently have the dash apart.

Thanks in advance.



Blown.

Re: Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Monday, May 22, 2006 12:54 PM
its probably burning out which would mean you need a new cluster or just put your cav one back in



Re: Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Monday, May 22, 2006 12:56 PM
Would the LED in the cluster be difficult to replace or should I just forget about it?



Blown.
Re: Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Monday, May 22, 2006 12:57 PM
make sure the dimmer is all the way up



Re: Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Monday, May 22, 2006 1:01 PM
i think there is a way to replace it but its sodered to the board so it might be hard to do.



Re: Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Monday, May 22, 2006 1:05 PM
No, its not the dimmer switch.

My mother is a soldering specialist so she's more than qualified to work on it. I just don't know how to pull off the circuit board to expose the back of the dimmer. But I guess its more trouble than its worth. Thanks for the responses, guys.



Blown.
Re: Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Monday, May 22, 2006 1:22 PM
well i dunno about the newer clusters but for mine when i swapped out for a new cluster, there was a silver metaliic backing on it that was held on w/ like 6 screws. once you took that off the board was right there



Re: Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Monday, May 22, 2006 1:52 PM
A friend of mine informed me that the only way to remedy this problem would be to purchase and install a new screen for the cluster.

I tried to take the cluster apart to check out the connection but once the plastic casing was off, the circuit board covered the inside of the cluster, kind of like another 'shell'. Regardless, I'll see if I can get my money back for this cluster and find a new one.



Blown.
Re: Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Tuesday, May 23, 2006 11:45 AM
actually there is a bulb behind the board its the same kind of bulb thats in the rest of the cluster I've got a 2002 cav cluster disassembled in front of me right now I can possibly get a picture of it for you if you would like



Re: Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Tuesday, May 23, 2006 11:57 AM
^^ hes right its just another led/bulb. problem is you have to unsolder the whole odometer asymbly to get to the bulb underneth.





Re: Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Tuesday, May 23, 2006 12:03 PM
well if your careful enough you could bend the display up to get the old bulb out then drop the new bulb in then bend it back down carefully




Re: Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Tuesday, May 23, 2006 3:54 PM
Jesse 02 - Please throw some pictures up if you can. The seller is willing to replace the cluster but I would like to see the pics just in case the deal falls through. Thanks!



Blown.
Re: Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Tuesday, May 23, 2006 4:35 PM
here ya go had mine apart on my desk too.

Teh Leds/bulbs


what you need to carefully bend up to reveal the hidden bulb






Re: Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Tuesday, May 23, 2006 6:19 PM
Sweet, thanks for the pics. Do you know if there are clips holding the circuit board down? I can unclip the plastic back but the board seems fixed on the inside. Is it just glued and I could always glue it back down once finished? Also, any specs on the LED? Color or any specific numbers (I'm not very good with wiring or bulbs, my mom will handle all that) that I should know?



Blown.
Re: Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Tuesday, May 23, 2006 10:10 PM
you will have to remove your needles (use a fork) then the circuit board will come off with a little pressure there is a light glue holding it on.




Re: Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Wednesday, May 24, 2006 12:30 PM
how did you get the needles off the metal pins when I tried to take mine apart the first time the pins came out of the motors thats why I just recently purchased a sunfire cluster off ebay



Re: Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Wednesday, May 24, 2006 12:55 PM
just went very carefully with a fork and made sure i pulled out as strait as possible



Re: Dim Odometer - Easy fix?
Friday, May 26, 2006 7:16 PM
Thought you werent supposed to remove the needles on a 00 plus?



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