instrument cluster voltage stabilizer [was: Re: Coupe GT fuel gauge adjustment]

[auditude at get.net]

Mihnea Cotet mik at info.fundp.ac.be wrote:
>
> At 13:13 22/04/2002 -0700, auditude at get.net wrote:
> >do if there is something wrong with it.  Is this a situation
> >where the bad part simply gets replaced by a new one?  Or, is
> >there some refurbishment that is possible?
>
> Huh!!!!!! Do you think you could be able to open and resolder a 3/1000th of
> an inch resistor/diode/transistor inside the the voltage regulator?
> :-)))))))) Just find out its voltage and swap it!

Hi Mihnea,

Not knowing what is involved in the repair, no I wasn't
thinking I could do that! :-)

If the voltage regulator is the part I need to replace, then
that is what I'm asking about.  Is the voltage stabilizer
within the voltage regulator or something?

I understand that it is a 10v stabilizer, based on the
archives.

Here is a somewhat tangental question:

I found this (probably irrelevant) reference here:

http://www.alldata.com/TSB/62/80620204.html

"908800 OCT 88 Adding Diode to Circuit After Replacing Voltage
Stabilizer "

This was in reference to an '80 Dasher or something, not the
Coupe GT.  But what I'm wondering is if there is some similar
prophylaxis I can apply to prevent this problem from coming
back :-)

I'm not looking to do anything extra, just whatever the normal
repair is.  This is the first I've heard of the problem
myself, but apparently other listers are familiar with it.

I haven't found in the archives where it describes the fix,
only that the part fails.  Maybe it's too easy to need a post
to the list.  I'll check it this evening.

Btw, I have some DeOxit or something.  I wonder if this is a
resistance problem rather than a failed part.

Thanks,

Ken