Dimming GM digital dash

I thought the digital dash on the Caprice was cool, and it was. But as of late I can't read it in all but the darkest of nights. I think the LCD got froze on too many times. I know I'm going to get pinched soon.

Is there a fix for this? I know I could replace the cluster, but I think I'd rather shot myself in the face. At $120, a GPS is looking like a better alternative.

Help.

Wow. Nobody?

Curtis?

Well, I got nothing. On my Roadmaster there is a dimmer pot next to the headlight switch for the dash lights. But my dash is analog. Sorry.

Moving the dimmer doesn't do anything? Does it get dimmer when you turn on the headlights, the brighten when they go off?

That's the thing: the lights on the oil, gas, temp, and volts are bright and happy. They dim normally. The speedo dims as well. I will consult the Helms this weekend to see if there's a diagnostic.

pull the cluster out and clean all the contacts with a soft pencil eraser or q-tip with rubbing alcohol. while you are in there, take a small screwdriver and pull the tabs up just a little bit to get better contact.

novaderrik wrote: pull the cluster out and clean all the contacts with a soft pencil eraser or q-tip with rubbing alcohol. while you are in there, take a small screwdriver and pull the tabs up just a little bit to get better contact.

Works for AFX slot cars too!

I have no experience with the Caprice dash, but GM dashes in general are frequently not that hard to take apart. I had an Astro where all the dash lights were out; I took it apart and the instrument cluster had a plug on the back of it that was held in just with pressure - it was super easy to remove. What I found was the cluster-side contact for the dash lights had overheated (likely due to contaminants or something) and had melted away from the mating connector. I cut a little piece of thin copper sheet and soldered it over the old, bad contact and everything was happy. Worked great for a long time and I sold the van like that.

dculberson wrote: I have no experience with the Caprice dash, but GM dashes in general are frequently not that hard to take apart. I had an Astro where all the dash lights were out; I took it apart and the instrument cluster had a plug on the back of it that was held in just with pressure - it was super easy to remove. What I found was the cluster-side contact for the dash lights had overheated (likely due to contaminants or something) and had melted away from the mating connector. I cut a little piece of thin copper sheet and soldered it over the old, bad contact and everything was happy. Worked great for a long time and I sold the van like that.

yeah, a Caprice dash is insanely easy to take apart.. the bezel snaps out, then there are a few screws that hold the cluster in place. remove the screws and pull the cluster out.

Thanks guys. (Waaaaayyy belated reply)

What was the fix for yours?