Brighter dash lights

[davekp]

Is there a way to make the dash lights on a '90 brighter during the daytime? I replaced all the bulbs but that didn't help. It's vert difficult to read, especially with sunglasses.

[Ccmano]

It’s not the light bulbs. The ambient light sensor (photo cell) has gone bad. A common C4 issue. It is located in the upper left corner of the DIC panel above the buttons for the fuel data and such. You will see a small hole there, the sensor sits in there. I have the same issue. The sensor can be replaced by itself. This outfit does the repair or will send you the part (BATEE.com). Or, like me, you can replace the whole DIC unit. My fuel data buttons were intermittent so I decided to replace the whole thing.
H
:cheers:

[BigJohn]

Do you have the dimmer turned all the way up?
Maybe try a different type sunglasses!

[Ccmano]

Do you have the dimmer turned all the way up?
Maybe try a different type sunglasses!

Yup, dimmer has little affect in daylight. If you turn the headlights on at night you will see that the dimmer works great.
H
:cheers:

[GOLDCYLON]

It’s not the light bulbs. The ambient light sensor (photo cell) has gone bad. A common C4 issue. It is located in the upper left corner of the DIC panel above the buttons for the fuel data and such. You will see a small hole there, the sensor sits in there. I have the same issue. The sensor can be replaced by itself. This outfit does the repair or will send you the part (BATEE.com). Or, like me, you can replace the whole DIC unit. My fuel data buttons were intermittent so I decided to replace the whole thing.
H
:cheers:

This is correct it's the photocell especially if the display is easy to see at night time with the headlights on. Also any polarized sunglasses will make the display a problem to see in the day. My sunglasses play havoc with my wife HUD in her car. GC

[Bob Eyres]

The display on my 91' looks faded out and weak, hard to read. Is that what
You're talking about?
Does replacing the sensor give greater contrast? Or do you have to replace the whole DIC? (Dash Instrument Cluster?)
What's the best source for this? Price?
Thanks.

[-=Jeff=-]

The display on my 91' looks faded out and weak, hard to read. Is that what
You're talking about?
Does replacing the sensor give greater contrast? Or do you have to replace the whole DIC? (Dash Instrument Cluster?)
What's the best source for this? Price?
Thanks.

www.batee.com..

you are going to need a new LCD polarizing film if your display is faded

[WVZR-1]

OP - if the LCD seems presentable/acceptable with no sunglasses then quite likely your issue is with the "polarization" of your sunglasses. You could maybe spend much money on the cluster improvements and if your glasses are polarized your very likely to still have issues.

FLORIDA hints maybe "polarized" eye wear!

[Paul Workman]

In the mean time, if you switch on your fog lights, the DIC brightens and becomes visible, even w/ sun glasses - at least true for my non-polarized "sunnies".

[Ccmano]

There are three major known issues with the 90+ C4 instrument pod.
1. Poor day time illumination. This is a lighting issue caused by the failure of the photo cell as discussed above.
2. Fading of the central lcd display. This is caused by failure of the lcd display itself and can result in the display characters virtually disappearing. This is the issue the second OP likely has.
3. Incorrect tach readings. Sometimes the tach needle will peg itself to the top or bottom of the display but generally just a noticeably inaccurate tach. Caused by failure of the control chip for the tach.

As noted polarized sunglasses can have an affect similar to #1 and 2. However that is easily eliminated by simply elvaluating the display without wearing them.

These items can all be resolved by the company Paul noted above. They can either do the work for you or sell you the parts to do it yourself.
H
:cheers:

[jcruz]

I had my IP rebuilt by batee a couple years ago. $300. Highly recommended.

In my case the IP was very faded...could hardly make out the numbers in any light! Now, like new.

[GOLDCYLON]

www.batee.com..

you are going to need a new LCD polarizing film if your display is faded

Yep that's where I sent mine as well,

[GOLDCYLON]

There are three major known issues with the 90+ C4 instrument pod.
1. Poor day time illumination. This is a lighting issue caused by the failure of the photo cell as discussed above.
2. Fading of the central lcd display. This is caused by failure of the lcd display itself and can result in the display characters virtually disappearing. This is the issue the second OP likely has.
3. Incorrect tach readings. Sometimes the tach needle will peg itself to the top or bottom of the display but generally just a noticeably inaccurate tach. Caused by failure of the control chip for the tach.

As noted polarized sunglasses can have an affect similar to #1 and 2. However that is easily eliminated by simply elvaluating the display without wearing them.

These items can all be resolved by the company Paul noted above. They can either do the work for you or sell you the parts to do it yourself.
H
:cheers:

Hans great summury. OP which of these issues is your problem? GC

[jmglyder]

I have had this issue with my 91 ZR-1 when I purchased it and lived with it for a couple years. I finally did some research and came across batee.com but after seeing reviews on Southern Electronics, 730 A Research Road, Richmond, VA 23236. I gave them a call and they had me fill out a form online and they sent me a UPS shipping label. Sent the entire gauge cluster in and they rebuilt everything and polished the plastic clear cover. Got it back and put it in and "bingo" I can now see everything. You can reach them at 804-423-1100. They do quite a business so it took them about 10 days for a turn around including them paying for shipping it back. Total cost $285.00.

[Ccmano]

I have had this issue with my 91 ZR-1 when I purchased it and lived with it for a couple years. I finally did some research and came across batee.com but after seeing reviews on Southern Electronics, 730 A Research Road, Richmond, VA 23236. I gave them a call and they had me fill out a form online and they sent me a UPS shipping label. Sent the entire gauge cluster in and they rebuilt everything and polished the plastic clear cover. Got it back and put it in and "bingo" I can now see everything. You can reach them at 804-423-1100. They do quite a business so it took them about 10 days for a turn around including them paying for shipping it back. Total cost $285.00.

:thumbsup:

Luv it when there are alternatives!
H
:cheers:

[davekp]

Hans great summury. OP which of these issues is your problem? GC

My issue is with daytime brightness. It is not a polarized sunglasses issue. Have sent for replacement photocell- I'll report back when it is installed.

[davekp]

My issue is with daytime brightness. It is not a polarized sunglasses issue. Have sent for replacement photocell- I'll report back when it is installed.

Update:
Changed the photocell and the problem is solved.

[GOLDCYLON]

Update:
Changed the photocell and the problem is solved.

And there we have it. Thanks for closing the post out to help the next guy. Glad you were able to track it down. GC