Questions and Answers

Buick Skylark Cluster Problem

Q. Vincent, I recently purchased a 1986 Buick Skylark for my teenage daughter to drive. It is the 2.5.L 4 cyl. model. The problem I am having is with the digital instrument panel. The previous owner said that it would go blank from time to time, maybe lasting 5 minutes to several hours. At first it worked fine but now it seems to be out for good. I can't allow my daughter to drive this vehicle with no speedometer, fuel gauge etc.. I have checked the fuses under the dash and they are all fine, I have removed the front of the panel and gained access to the display itself and there seems to be nothing loose or broken. This is where I must stop without some advice. Please give me any information on trouble-shooting this problem. I will take any help I can get. The car is in great shape and I picked it up for a real bargain, just hate to keep her parked because of this problem.

Thank you for your help.
Anthony

A. What you need to do is pull out the instrument cluster and unplug the 34 pin connector. With a voltmeter check the voltage between terminals A-15 and B-7 with the key on. If it reads battery voltage, then the cluster is bad and you will need to replace it. If you have no voltage, then check the pink/white wire from the ignition switch. Check to see if you have voltage coming out of the switch. If you do, then the wire is broken, if not, the switch is bad.

My money is on a bad cluster, that's common for this car.