Illumination Instrument Cluster `88 Cutlass Ciera

[Tristar_100]

Hi, I actually feel stupid asking this question, but I am a bit confused:

This goes out to the Cutlass Ciera drivers among us with vehicles equipped with the older standard instrument(s) - not the sport gauges. Is it true that only the fuel gauge and the lines underneath the speed numbers are illuminated at night and the numbers stay completely in the dark? So now I am simply guessing the number above the needle when driving down the road in the dark. (My speedo is in km/h) So, I assumed there was one or more broken bulbs in the cluster so I pulled it out today and wanted to replace them. But as far as I could see, there are no bulbs to illuminate the numbers ? just the lines, the fuel gauge and the odonometer. Did I miss something or is this really the way it is? I really hope I missed something, otherwise I must learn the position of the numbers by heart 

[Pontiac6ksteawd]

The numbers are supposed to be lit up.. So your not the only one that is confused.

I am assuming you have a cable drive speedometer, so this picture is for that cluster. 1988 was a split year, some had Cable Drive, some had VSS.



All the black knobs on this hold the bulbs for illumination. The top 2 specifically are supposed to light up the numbers.

[Pontiac6ksteawd]

You could always drop in a digital cluster.... (which I didnt even know was an option)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Speedometer...AAAOSwlBVfUPxs

Or you could drop in a full guage cluster. Would only require a modification to the oil pressure sensor i think..
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Speedometer...temCondition=4

[Tristar_100]

Hi Brian,

thanks for the picture and the alternative gauge options. I checked on my cluster and all bulbs are in working order. I don`t understand why the lines are illuminated from behind, but the numbers are just printed on the black plastic? Nonetheless I like that full gauge cluster! (The digital one doesn`t really fit the spirit of the car). I will try to find one on eBay from someone that is willing to ship to Germany (most wreckers sadly won?t) - which limits my possibilities to get parts a lot.
But, I'll stay optimistic! Thanks for your help

[ryreidl]

When checking, the sensor and receiver must be removed from the vehicle. When removing, it is better to use a clamp https://www.sandfieldengineering.com/toggle-clamps / or ask someone to help you because you are unlikely to cope.