Dash lights going out - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

LSGarage · 12-12-2007, 07:25 PM

I've got an '01 Suburban 1500 with about 53K on it now. The green lit dash lights for the trans shift indicator and odometer keep going out. Anyone have this problem and know the solution or where to start for the cure? When it goes out I tap several time on the clear plexiglas and they come back on. I don't know how long this going to last before they go also together.

get me on the road · 12-12-2007, 11:55 PM

It could be a possible dirty connection, maybe. I dont know if those use bulbs or led's. If they take bulbs, and you replace them yourself, check the circuit board lookin thing that the bulbs twist in to for any spots that may look brown like a little short happened. I dont know if the circuit board can be replaced or if you have to replace the whole cluster. From your description I would say it uses bulbs, and when you tap on the plastic face it vibrates the almost busted filament, that would be probably be the best case scenario. Those bulbs are expensive, at least the ones for 91 s-10 were, and I think the only place to get them is the dealer, I wanna say they were like $7 a piece. They are basically the 194 marker bulbs with a special twist snap into place type connector.

get me on the road · 12-15-2007, 08:32 PM

Did you come up with any thing LSGarage?

BP68 · 12-19-2007, 08:17 AM

I work at a dealer, and we send em out for exchange. I haven't had one all the way apart, but if you can see a bulb and can find one similar you may be able to swap it out. If there is no bulb it is prob part of a LCD lens.

kszygc · 12-19-2007, 12:03 PM

I've seen a lots of lightbulbs not work until you tap on them. The center electrical contact (mound of lead solder attached to the wire) inside the socket for the bulb can flatten out and then it may not have a consistent physical contact necessary to light the bulb. Also the spring that maintains pressure against the bulb may be corroded or weak, keeping the bulb from staying in touch with the electrical contact and lighting the bulb until jarred by tapping on the cover. Make sense? I'd say clean the contacts in the socket, find whatever gives it spring tension, and maybe stretch the spring out a little bit. Also check the bulbs themselves for flattened contacts.

12-12-2007, 07:25 PM	#1
LSGarage Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 86	Dash lights going out I've got an '01 Suburban 1500 with about 53K on it now. The green lit dash lights for the trans shift indicator and odometer keep going out. Anyone have this problem and know the solution or where to start for the cure? When it goes out I tap several time on the clear plexiglas and they come back on. I don't know how long this going to last before they go also together. __________________ 67 GMC 4x4, 305 V-6, 4-spd 86 S-10, 2.8 2WD LWB 01 Suburban (family hauler) 13 Honda CRV (wife's wheels) 03 Malibu (daughter’s car)

12-12-2007, 11:55 PM	#2
get me on the road No Matter What. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Do I know you? Posts: 655	Re: Dash lights going out It could be a possible dirty connection, maybe. I dont know if those use bulbs or led's. If they take bulbs, and you replace them yourself, check the circuit board lookin thing that the bulbs twist in to for any spots that may look brown like a little short happened. I dont know if the circuit board can be replaced or if you have to replace the whole cluster. From your description I would say it uses bulbs, and when you tap on the plastic face it vibrates the almost busted filament, that would be probably be the best case scenario. Those bulbs are expensive, at least the ones for 91 s-10 were, and I think the only place to get them is the dealer, I wanna say they were like $7 a piece. They are basically the 194 marker bulbs with a special twist snap into place type connector. __________________ Currently own: 89 Chevy Silverado Previously Owned:Starting with my first vehicle 86 Mercury Cougar /89 Olds 88 /88 Chevy S-10 /84 Pontiac Firebird(I miss it) /91 Chevy S-10 Last edited by get me on the road; 12-13-2007 at 08:45 AM.

12-15-2007, 08:32 PM	#3
get me on the road No Matter What. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Do I know you? Posts: 655	Re: Dash lights going out Did you come up with any thing LSGarage? __________________ Currently own: 89 Chevy Silverado Previously Owned:Starting with my first vehicle 86 Mercury Cougar /89 Olds 88 /88 Chevy S-10 /84 Pontiac Firebird(I miss it) /91 Chevy S-10 Last edited by get me on the road; 12-15-2007 at 08:32 PM.

12-19-2007, 08:17 AM	#4
BP68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Olive Branch, MS Posts: 824	Re: Dash lights going out I work at a dealer, and we send em out for exchange. I haven't had one all the way apart, but if you can see a bulb and can find one similar you may be able to swap it out. If there is no bulb it is prob part of a LCD lens. __________________ 68 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 06 Chevy Ext Cab Fleetside 03 Grand Prix GTP My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=269999

12-19-2007, 12:03 PM	#5
kszygc Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tx Posts: 81	Re: Dash lights going out I've seen a lots of lightbulbs not work until you tap on them. The center electrical contact (mound of lead solder attached to the wire) inside the socket for the bulb can flatten out and then it may not have a consistent physical contact necessary to light the bulb. Also the spring that maintains pressure against the bulb may be corroded or weak, keeping the bulb from staying in touch with the electrical contact and lighting the bulb until jarred by tapping on the cover. Make sense? I'd say clean the contacts in the socket, find whatever gives it spring tension, and maybe stretch the spring out a little bit. Also check the bulbs themselves for flattened contacts.



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