[V8] Instrument cluster fix

[Mike Arman]

 From 2005 posting:


> I had similar very symptoms on my V8 - fuel and temp gauges dropped sporadically to zero, came
> back with a whack on the dash pads. The pc traces were fine, the problem was cold solder joints
> at the pins that the interboard ribbon cables connect to.
> 
> These are assembled by "wave soldering" - does the whole pc board at one pass.
> 
> Problem is that if there's enough heat to solder the big parts (high thermal mass), it is too
> much for the ICs and other smaller parts and they get toasted.
> 
> I've seen this on other electronics equipment - *exactly* the same thing, cold solder joints on
> the large pin connectors - PC power supplies are good for that.
> 
> Cure is remove the cluster, take the boards off one at a time, and with a fine pencil iron,
> re-solder the bases of the interboard connection pins one by one. Put it all back together (now
> is also THE time to change all the burned out dash lights) and dollars to donuts your problems
> will be cured. I found four bad ones and some more suspect ones. You will be able to wiggle (as
> opposed to flex) the pins slightly in the pc board if the solder joint is bad. Also, a cold
> solder joint is "grainy" or "pebbly" instead of smooth and shiny. Use a magnifying glass.
> 
> Use some contact enhancer on re-assembly just as extra insurance.
> 
> I did mine almost two years (now SEVEN years!!!) ago, and that part (at least) has worked flawlessly since.
> 
> Best Regards,
> 
> Mike Arman V8Q, lights, blinks, starts, runs (be afraid . . . )