[smann]

I am a first time Vette owner after years of wishing! I have a 1985 all original black vette. Two questions.
1. What is the normal operating tempature of the motor?
2. The dash cluster does not light up. (fuse is ok)

Any info and or suggestion a much appreciated.

Love'n my vette every day.
Stephen

 

[vette_85]

I have an 85 myself, and I usually run around 220 and 230. At first I figured this was kinda high, but I came to learn thats its normal. Some other people run hotter than that. But when it comes to your dash lights, I have the same problem. During the day its fine, but when night falls, I can't see anything. So sorry I can't help you there. Let me know what you find.artyon:

 

[ebusa]

How long has the dash lights been out? Did they flicker at all or gradully start to dim?

Do you have a dim dial that perhaps may be turned all the way down? sounds funny, but I lost my dash lights once only to realized I turn down the dial when I was cleaning it. :smack

 

[smann]

dash lights and cooling

As far as the running temp I'm coming to realise that 220 might be around normal. According to the most recent Corvette Fever Mag the ECM controls the primary cooling fan which is set to come on at 228 F (90's series vettes but I believe this is the same for the eariler ones). The auxilary fan comes on at 238F (this seems hot). I'm thinking about replacing the sensor for the auxilary fan with one that turns the fan on at 190 and off at 170 and replacing the thermostat with a 180F. This would reverse the order of the fans and hopefully keep the engine under 200F.

Let me know what you think.

As far as the dash lights they are out. The dimmer switch works for the radio and heating controls but there is nothing on the cluster. I got the car like this. The fuse is ok and the cluster is working but no lights. I guess I'm going to have to pull the cluster out and check the connector attachment.

Stephen

 

[vette_85]

It does seem hot, but that is the way the vettes were made. Running it cooler is going reduce your thermal efficiency.

 

[smann]

Dash lights fixed

I fixed my dash lights by removing the cluster, involved droping the steering wheel, and opening the cluster up. The light circuit gets very hot because of the current draw from the bulbs. What happens is that the connectors actually un-solder from the circuit board. I re-soldered the connectors and tested the circuit with my continunity tester. The two upper cluster bulb bases were burned so I moved them to the lower position. Only the local NAPA dealer had bulbs for me. Works great, and took about 3 hours for the complete repair. I photographed everything for anyone interested.

Now I can watch my tempature. I added two cans of "Water Wetter" which was recomended to my by a racing expert. That is as far as I will go with the cooling.

Stephen

 

[Bookemdanno]

Same problem happened to me on my 85. It was a bad main headlight switch, top left side dash. It is a rheostat dimmer switch GM part # 1995257, costs about $35. You just have to take the top dash cover off to get to it.