Brighter dash lights - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

davekp · 11-04-2017

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 · 11-04-2017

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

BigJohn · 11-04-2017

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

Ccmano · 11-04-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJohn

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

GOLDCYLON · 11-04-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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 · 11-09-2017

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=- · 11-09-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

www.batee.com..

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

WVZR-1 · 11-09-2017

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 · 11-09-2017

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 · 11-09-2017

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

11-04-2017	#2
Ccmano Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 2,852	Re: Brighter dash lights 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 __________________ 90'ZR-1 #1461 Red/Black Ported Intake, Degreed Cams, OBX Headers & Exhaust, Fidanza FW, Secondary Delete, Custom tune, C6 GS Wheels. Sold 08 C6 Z51 Crystal Red Metallic Sold Vararam Intake, Tune, Sold 05 C6 Z51 Red/Black Sold 90'ZR-1 #1723 Black/Gray Sold but not forgotten 91' Z51 L98 White Vert. My First, you always remember your first. Sold. Last edited by Ccmano; 11-04-2017 at 04:53 PM.

11-04-2017	#3
BigJohn Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ledyard,CT Posts: 8,194	Re: Brighter dash lights Do you have the dimmer turned all the way up? Maybe try a different type sunglasses!

11-09-2017	#6
Bob Eyres Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Jupiter, Fl. Posts: 815	Re: Brighter dash lights 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.

11-09-2017	#8
WVZR-1 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,889	Re: Brighter dash lights 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!

11-09-2017	#9
Paul Workman Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Squires (near Ava MO in the Mark Twain N'tl Forest) - Missouri Posts: 6,493	Re: Brighter dash lights 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". __________________ Good carz, good food, good friendz = the best of timez! 90 #1202 "FBI" top end ported & relieved Cam timing by "Pete the Greek" Sans secondaries Chip & dyno tuning by Haibeck Automotive SW headers, X-pipe, MF muffs Former Secretary, ZR-1 Net Registry

11-04-2017	#1
davekp Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: merritt island fl Posts: 25	Brighter dash lights 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.

11-09-2017	#10
Ccmano Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 2,852	Re: Brighter dash lights 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 __________________ 90'ZR-1 #1461 Red/Black Ported Intake, Degreed Cams, OBX Headers & Exhaust, Fidanza FW, Secondary Delete, Custom tune, C6 GS Wheels. Sold 08 C6 Z51 Crystal Red Metallic Sold Vararam Intake, Tune, Sold 05 C6 Z51 Red/Black Sold 90'ZR-1 #1723 Black/Gray Sold but not forgotten 91' Z51 L98 White Vert. My First, you always remember your first. Sold.