[Teresab]

I have a digital dashboard problem and am in search of some assistance in possibly resolving the issue. My dashboard has gone out. I can't see how much fuel I have, the speed I'm driving, etc. I believe it could be as simple as a loose wire. However, since I'm not a mechanic in any sense of the word, but I'm willing to learn and try.

I read the manual, and found some of the electrical boxes, explored them, etc. However, I don't know how to take the dashboard apart and am a little reserved about doing so, without knowing first how to do it. I don't want to destroy anything while trying to fix another issue.

I've called around, locally and either the cost of the repair is going to be quite extensive, so I've checked with salvage yards, as well. No resolve there, either.

Any assistance you can give me would be appreciated.

 

[509Rider]

They usally go bad and you have to replace the digital dash, you can find them on ebay for 100 dollars, it is fairly easy to replace the woodgrain around the gauges pops off, you will have to move you shifter down to the 1 gear spot to get it out of the way, you will also need to remove the panel under the steering wheel, it unbolts and then pull straight off be carefull not to break the clips its easy to do, next unhook you gauge selector it will be under the column, pop off, I believe the cluster has 4 bolts and comes right out. hope this helps and I hope I am not missing anything.

 

[N0DIH]

If you get it out and a new one in, if you want to send me the old one I would be glad to look at it and send it back if I can fix it or not. My full time job is electronics. Cars are a hobby, electronics is my career.

 

[Teresab]

I'm going to try to do what you suggested. Thank you so much for your responses!

As I stated earlier, I'm not a mechanic and am not sure what is what or where...lol. However, I'm capable of learning, so I'll do what it takes to save myself the headache of trying to trust someone else to fix it, when I could possibly do it, myself.

My husband usually kept up with these things, but since his death, I've taken on the responsibility of caring for his car. I'm afraid I haven't done too well, yet....but, I'm working on it...lol.

Are there any sites with photos that show what is what and where? Just asking - you never know.

Again, thank you for the assistance & so quickly, as well!

 

[509Rider]

I'm going to try to do what you suggested. Thank you so much for your responses!

As I stated earlier, I'm not a mechanic and am not sure what is what or where...lol. However, I'm capable of learning, so I'll do what it takes to save myself the headache of trying to trust someone else to fix it, when I could possibly do it, myself.

My husband usually kept up with these things, but since his death, I've taken on the responsibility of caring for his car. I'm afraid I haven't done too well, yet....but, I'm working on it...lol.

Are there any sites with photos that show what is what and where? Just asking - you never know.

Again, thank you for the assistance & so quickly, as well!

I am not aware of any sites with pics, I bought a service manuel off ebay its about the size of a phone book this might be helpful.

 

[Teresab]

I got the panel off! I can't believe it! I did what was suggested on here, to do and it worked - without a hitch! I was very careful and didn't break anything, which is a major thing for me! LOL

I had my neighbor (he's a mechanic) come and take a look at the wires after I got the thing apart. He tested it with his equipment and found that the dashboard is definitely in need of replacement! Geez...now, to find what I need (exact match) for the car, so I can get things back in working order! He told me that once I get the part, he'd be glad to help me get it back into the car, as well as remove the old one.

Now....to find the part...I'll try ebay as suggested, however, I'm not sure as to what the part is called. I'll try to find a manual, as well. I thought my husband had one, but I haven't run across it, yet. Knowing him, I'm sure we have one. Gotta go look.....

Thank you for your help - all of you!! I'm sure I'll be asking for further assistance on some of the other things I want to get replaced/repaired.

 

[509Rider]

I got the panel off! I can't believe it! I did what was suggested on here, to do and it worked - without a hitch! I was very careful and didn't break anything, which is a major thing for me! LOL

I had my neighbor (he's a mechanic) come and take a look at the wires after I got the thing apart. He tested it with his equipment and found that the dashboard is definitely in need of replacement! Geez...now, to find what I need (exact match) for the car, so I can get things back in working order! He told me that once I get the part, he'd be glad to help me get it back into the car, as well as remove the old one.

Now....to find the part...I'll try ebay as suggested, however, I'm not sure as to what the part is called. I'll try to find a manual, as well. I thought my husband had one, but I haven't run across it, yet. Knowing him, I'm sure we have one. Gotta go look.....

Thank you for your help - all of you!! I'm sure I'll be asking for further assistance on some of the other things I want to get replaced/repaired.

When I search for parts for my car I type in cadillac fleetwood, usally get 10 pages of parts on ebay.

 

[caddycruiser]

Here's a good site to search for parts:
http://www.car-part.com/

 

[JAKE91]

WHY NOT JUST CALL YOUR LOCAL CADILLAC DEALERS' PARTS DEPT. AND ORDER THE DIGITAL PART?

 

[Teresab]

When I first had signs of problems with the digital gauges blinking, I called the cadillac dealer/service/parts people where we bought out car - figured they'd know just what to do and where to get the parts I might need. They told me that the parts for my car were discontinued and I'd most likely have a very difficult time finding what I needed....to go to a salvage yard and wished me luck on that, as well. So, that's what I did....and the rest is history....no resolve and now, I'm here.

So, now to find the exact part I need to finish the task. Scares me, because when it comes to parts on cars....I've learned that you can get the wrong ones and end up having to incur the cost of sending or taking them back. I figured I'd come to the net and find some pros and take it from there.

Again, thank you so much for the assistance you've all shared, so far! Now, to find the part and get the old one out & the new one in.

 

[brougham]

WHY NOT JUST CALL YOUR LOCAL CADILLAC DEALERS' PARTS DEPT. AND ORDER THE DIGITAL PART?

You can't get the digital dash. The dealer can only send yours out to get it rebuilt.

 

[JAKE91]

I THOUGHT CAR COMPANIES WERE SUPPOSED TO KEEP A MAJORITY OF PARTS IN STOCK FOR 15 YRS. AFTER A MODEL IS DISCONTINUED.:bigroll:

 

[zugy]

You can't get the digital dash. The dealer can only send yours out to get it rebuilt.

Oh man....That could take weeks! Money not the issue.

 

[Rick186]

Interesting!
The trans indicator on my 1995 Fleetwood went kaput and I thought it would be an easy fix, like the easy fix on my old Dodge van. That fix needed only the thin stainless steel wire leader I would use from my fishing tackle box.
HA!
No Way! I let the dealer do it after I consulted the Factory Manual for my Fleetwood.
Anyhow, a NEW instrument panel is about $800.00. Rebuilt is about $300.00 or so give or take, with about one hour installation.
Then there's some stupid government kerfuffle about setting the mileage of the odometer or - if not - pasting a sticker on the B-pillar saying what the mileage was if you set the mileage back to zero if you don't reset the mileage.