90-91 vs 92-96 Instrument Clusters

[Ccmano]

Learned something new today. 90-91 instrument clusters are NOT interchangeable with 92-96 clusters. At least not the LCD module. Everything else worked fine.

The tach on my 90 cluster is way off, some of the lights are out and the oil pressure gauge is off. So I found a great deal on a newly rebuilt low mile 96 LT4 cluster. Did the swap today only to find out that the LCD display went wonky showing jibberish. My frist thought was the new cluster LCD was defective. I had always thought all years were interchangeable.

So I sent Brian Thompson at Batee.com an email with a photo of the new cluster jibberish. Much to my surprise and satisfaction I got immediate reply (that’s customer service). He informs me that the LCD’s are indeed NOT compatible. The “electrical protocol “ was changed between the two.

The good news is that I can swap the LCD modules (the old LCD is still excellent, although I may rebuild it anyway) and I’m good to go. The LDC modules are a simple plug in.
H

OLD Cluster




NEW Cluster

[WVZR-1]

That's been I'd say 'common knowledge' for years!!! I'm surprised you actually didn't ask first or that you weren't aware.

Yes Bryan has excellent service!!!!!

I'd think it way more appropriate for someone to use a cluster that's actually correct!!!

[Ccmano]

Originally Posted by WVZR-1

That's been I'd say 'common knowledge' for years!!! I'm surprised you actually didn't ask first or that you weren't aware.

Yes Bryan has excellent service!!!!!

I'd think it way more appropriate for someone to use a cluster that's actually correct!!!

Are we having a bad morning? Did my post insult you somehow?

Common knowledge is a curious thing, it’s only common to those who actually know. I searched the forum here and over at Corvette forum, both the ZR-1 and regular tech forums and found nothing. Did find several posts claiming they were interchangeable. If you want to be helpful why don’t you find one where this is documented.

What I do with my car is my business not yours. On my 180k mile Z it hardly matters whether the cluster is “correct” or not. I happen to like the later one better.

The purpose of this post was to help others that might be looking at the same thing and to document what you consider “common knowledge”.

If you can’t say anything positive you might want to keep it to yourself.
H

[WVZR-1]

Originally Posted by Ccmano

Are we having a bad morning? Did my post insult you somehow?

Common knowledge is a curious thing, it’s only common to those who actually know. I searched the forum here and over at Corvette forum, both the ZR-1 and regular tech forums and found nothing. Did find several posts claiming they were interchangeable. If you want to be helpful why don’t you find one where this is documented.

What I do with my car is my business not yours. On my 180k mile Z it hardly matters whether the cluster is “correct” or not. I happen to like the later one better.

The purpose of this post was to help others that might be looking at the same thing and to document what you consider “common knowledge”.

If you can’t say anything positive you might want to keep it to yourself.
H

My 'MORNING' is GREAT and I also have a 'RED CAP'!!! YOU?

Just one of many threads regarding 'clusters'

http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread....hlight=cluster

I've actually documented by PART# year/model of likely compatibility on for sure the CF and quite likely here also!! If you ain't concerned with 'warning light" orientation etc

In 2013 on the CF I mentioned these thoughts and that was from research and references from maybe '07 or so.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1583417163

And I corrected 'Brian' to Bryan

Cluster information I'm sure should be more easily documented!

You are correct though - what you do with your car is YOUR business

*** I mentioned only being maybe more appropriate 'My thought'only!!!

I'm over this - ARE YOU?

[Ccmano]

I suspect we could go back and forth on this many times. We have both said our piece. I will leave it at that.
H

[Ccmano]

Originally Posted by WVZR-1

My 'MORNING' is GREAT and I also have a 'RED CAP'!!! YOU?

Just one of many threads regarding 'clusters'

http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread....hlight=cluster

I've actually documented by PART# year/model of likely compatibility on for sure the CF and quite likely here also!! If you ain't concerned with 'warning light" orientation etc

In 2013 on the CF I mentioned these thoughts and that was from research and references from maybe '07 or so.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1583417163

And I corrected 'Brian' to Bryan

Cluster information I'm sure should be more easily documented!

You are correct though - what you do with your car is YOUR business

*** I mentioned only being maybe more appropriate 'My thought'only!!!

I'm over this - ARE YOU?

I tell you what... why don’t you provide me with all the cluster information you have, I will add it to what I have found and I will write an article for the Heart of the Beast Registry publication. I will also post it here and over on CF.

In that way we help the most owners of Z’s and C4’s in general.

What do you think?
H

[-=Jeff=-]

I am surprised your search came up empty. I know I have helped on CF with several wanted to swap the 90-91 to a 92-96.

Yes the LCD as you found is different. but you will also find that there are some Perimeter warning lights that are not correct..

Looking at your picture, what year cluster did you get? I am thinking the lower right warning light is not correct. I found when I had a 1996 cluster with my 91 dash I need to swap 2-3 Warning lights. I actually just came across that cluster recently with my wiring changes.

Speaking of Clusters, anybody know where I can get a new Cluster overlay made?

[Ccmano]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

I am surprised your search came up empty. I know I have helped on CF with several wanted to swap the 90-91 to a 92-96.

Yes the LCD as you found is different. but you will also find that there are some Perimeter warning lights that are not correct..

Looking at your picture, what year cluster did you get? I am thinking the lower right warning light is not correct. I found when I had a 1996 cluster with my 91 dash I need to swap 2-3 Warning lights. I actually just came across that cluster recently with my wiring changes.

Speaking of Clusters, anybody know where I can get a new Cluster overlay made?

Thanks Jeff, this was the whole purpose of bringing the subject up. The more we discuss this I think an article and maybe a sticky is in order. The new cluster is from a 96 LT4. The light in the lower right corner is indeed not correct. On the 90 it’s “Door Ajar” on the 96 it’s “Brake Pressure”. That was next in the project, to see what the warning light differences were and if swapping the lights was even possible.
H

[-=Jeff=-]

Originally Posted by Ccmano

Thanks Jeff, this was the whole purpose of bringing the subject up. The more we discuss this I think an article and maybe a sticky is in order. The new cluster is from a 96 LT4. The light in the lower right corner is indeed not correct. On the 90 it’s “Door Ajar” on the 96 it’s “Brake Pressure”. That was next in the project, to see what the warning light differences were and if swapping the lights was even possible.
H

Yes it is.. Let me find my Cluster and get a picture.. the 6k and 8k are the same PCB with exception of the Tach Calibration

I need a new 8K Tach overlay then I will have a clean 94-96 8K cluster

EDIT.. how does the 96 cluster look in the car with the rest being yellow vs white?

[Ccmano]

Just compared the two. There are only two differences in the lights. As noted the “Brake Pressure“ in place of the “Door Ajar” on the 90 lower right corner. The other is “^ Shift” (third from the left) on the 90 is replaced by “Door Ajar” on the 96. I have my upshift function deactivated anyway so that’s not an issue. I may just live with the other. It’s only on when the door is open anyway. We’ll see.

The cluster itself looks great, to me anyway. I find the white on black much more legible. I don’t think it clashes, but that’s subjective. To me the later cluster is simply brighter and easier to read. More to come.
H