instrument panel

[ernbuild]

Gidday Gents, I wonder if anyone can help me out? I need the dash gauges rebuilt in my 91ZR1. Being in Australia, there is nobody over here that has the two computer chips to do the job. Sending it to the US. also creates a problem in as much as the Vette would be off the road for a couple of months at least, by the time I take it out ,send it to the States get it repaired and have it shipped back, and actually getting it back in one piece, will be a huge effort. I have contacted the dash repairers and they are not prepared to help by suppling the parts, which is all I need as there are guys over here that can do the work. My question is can any of you guys get your hands on the two computer chips that need to be replaced, and send them over? I am not having any luck from my end.
Cheers Ernie.

[billybaloneey]

http://www.tabercorvetteparts.com/

Did you try this place?

[gbrtng]

You can drive the vehicle without the cluster - nothing else breaks. Wifey's 91 was used for several weeks that way. Kinda like driving a Model A Ford, you might say, except it's difficult divining how much gas is left in the tank without a measuring stick.

The problems I have seen are LCD segments failing - how do you know an IC has failed?

[ernbuild]

Originally Posted by billybaloneey

http://www.tabercorvetteparts.com/

Did you try this place?

Gave them a try at your suggestion. Here is the response in total. Absolutely bloody useless.
[We do not have the parts you need, thanks for checking]

With that much help I can see me going nowhere at a rapid rate. Thanks for trying to help. Cheers Ernie

[Pete]

What if you buy a regular C4 cluster and take the chips from that to fix your cluster.
Just a thought.

Pete

[ernbuild]

Originally Posted by Pete

What if you buy a regular C4 cluster and take the chips from that to fix your cluster.
Just a thought.

Pete

Probably a good idea, but don't know enough about the difference to say if they are transferrable. The computer fault codes are shown in the digital dash, and they are very different, for ZR1's to the stock Vette.
Any ideas would be great guys!!. Cheers Ernie

[ernbuild]

The problems I have seen are LCD segments failing - how do you know an IC has failed?
It is the LCD segments that are not working correctly. Bits missing and at one stage myZR1 was the only Vette in Australia to reach 425 KPH.
I was under the impression that it was the chips that controlled the LCD segments. If not please tell me the good news and if there is a easy fix.
I had the same problem 12 months ago , and a mate resoldered some of the points in the dash, and it came good for 12 months then gone again.
Thanks for any help in advance. cheers Ernie.

[billybaloneey]

Keep an eye on the USA version of eBay. Used instrument clusters for the ZR-1 are offered from time to time. Also there are some cluster rebuild services offered on eBay...but I've only seen them available for the early C4's (non-ZR-1's), but they might be able to give you some advise on the electronic differences. I did a quick check none are on eBay as of today.

Try these guys out...they always have lot's of used stuff. They are in Houston, Texas. Some stuff they have is overly expensive, but I've found some bargains on other things.
http://www.gulfcoastcorvette.com/index02.htm


These guys have a lot of stuff on eBay from time to time...they are in Cleveland, Ohio:
http://www.clevelandpickapart.com/


I had the cluster on my '85 refurbished by a guy in Austin, Texas, but it has been a while...found him on eBay...I'll see if I can find my receipt and get you a contact number.

Also visit the C4 section of Corvette Forum, you might find some leads there.

Gordon Killebrew is the C4 expert when it comes to troubleshooting electrical problems...he charges a fee per minute for phone support, If anyone would know about the differences in the ZR-1 and non ZR-1 instrument clusters he would...and he might even have some leads for you...he has a link on the ZR -1 Registry home page.

I'll try to find you a couple of more sources this evening. Keep us (me) updated because the main LCD display of mine ('94) could be a little brighter...it's hard to see sometimes.

[phrogs]

http://www.corvettesalvage.com/

This guy is parting out a 90 ZR-1 right now.

[ZZZZZR1]

These guys have a lot of stuff on eBay from time to time...they are in Cleveland, Ohio:
http://www.clevelandpickapart.com/


Be careful with these guys... I caught them selling NON oem parts, but then again I purchased 3 or 4 things from them with NO issues and very pleased.