96 eldorado. The information on the dash such as brakes, check engine, oil, etc. blinks on and off constantly although there is nothing wrong with the engine, oil, etc. . Somewhere I recall someone saying this could be a bad ground. I don't mind taking it to the dealer to repair if the cost is not prohibitive. Can I fix this myself easily? Or should the dealer fix it. What's the worst case scenario financially? Thanks.

96 eldorado.
Nice car. :D

The information on the dash such as brakes, check engine, oil, etc. blinks on and off constantly although there is nothing wrong with the engine, oil, etc. .
Is your gauge cluster analog or digital? This is important.

Somewhere I recall someone saying this could be a bad ground.
Poor grounding is a possibility whether or not the cluster is analog or digital. Either way, there are multiple grounds for the circuits. Since I'm not a walking encyclopedia for Cadillac... the only proper thing to do would be to get the complete schematic diagram for your specific model, and locate and check each ground along with the continuity of the wires that supply ground to the circuits.

For a '96, the schematics are readily available in the aftermarket. I highly suggest you get professional help if you're not qualified to do this yourself.


I don't mind taking it to the dealer to repair if the cost is not prohibitive.
Are you kidding? Is there really such a thing as a dealership repair that isn't cost prohibitive? I don't know about where you are, but all the shops I worked at charged close to $100/hour and electrical repairs and diagnostics were clock time... by the minute. I never, ever charged less than 4 hours for dash or instrument panel surgery.

What would simplify things is if you have an analog cluster. They are much easier to diagnose and repair. With digital clusters, my normal routine was to make sure power and ground were available and proper... and then swap in a known-good cluster. If the good cluster didn't fix it, then after crying for a few minutes, I would dive in with factory repair procedures.

Can I fix this myself easily? Or should the dealer fix it.
You don't want to ask me that question, trust me. :lildevil:

What's the worst case scenario financially? Thanks.
Digital cluster... a few hundred for diagnostics and labor to replace or fix. Another few hundred (close to 5?) for the part.

Analog cluster... a few hundred for diagnostics and labor to replace or fix. Another few hundred (close to 3?) for the part.

Chin-up, though... you may not have a bad cluster. To find and fix a bad ground or broken wire, or even a bad module (yes, the IPC is driven by a module regardless of whether it's analog or digital) might only cost you a couple of hundred.

My suggestion, if you are up for it, and also if you are somewhat mechanical and not a hammer-swinging parts wrecker... Get the schematics for your particular model. Find all the relevant grounds and their locations (also listed in the documentation). Make sure the grounds are present, clean, and tight. Trace the ground and power circuits from the back of the cluster (at the harness) to their respective origins. Check continuity on those lines.

You'll be looking for "Power Distribution" and "Ground Distribution" in the documentation. There you will find most of the information you need.

If this seems at all daunting, then I highly suggest you get professional help.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out for you and the Eldorado.

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Ellisss

Thank you all for your replies. I am a first timer on this site and can't believe the rapid and astute replies. The dash is analog. I think, however, I shall leave the monster alone and live with it after reading the thread! Thanks, again. :bonkers:

I shall leave the monster alone and live with it after reading the thread! Thanks, again. :bonkers:
Leave it broken? :bouncer:

Hmmmm. Methinks I need to lighten up on the scary car talk.

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Ellisss

First off, it might be a ground wire.... Not sure, but its POSSIBLE it could be an ECM... You might see if you could get ahold of one and test it (same year).....

I think this is osmething best left to the professionals... A good independent should be able to fix it, ask them how adept they are at modern day electronics.... if they are good they should be able to tell you what the deal is.......

BTW ill move this into the seville/eldorado section for better responses..!! :)

Welcome aboard, thanks for signing up :wave:

There is actually a FACTORY RECALL for the 96 Dash Clusters to be replaced for a short in the wiring which could make the display not function. If in fact you still have the original cluster in the car, you should be able to have it replaced/fixed for no charge at all. Go to your Cadillac dealer and ask about it

Thank you all for your replies. I am a first timer on this site and can't believe the rapid and astute replies. The dash is analog. I think, however, I shall leave the monster alone and live with it after reading the thread! Thanks, again. :bonkers: On the main page there's a supporting vendor section. One of them does Dash cluster repairs. You might want to take a look there if you haven't.
Bob