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Specific solder joints to redo on 95 instrument cluster
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dsh1705 Premium Member
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 22, 2025 10:55 am    Post subject: Specific solder joints to redo on 95 instrument cluster Reply with quote

I have a 95 EVC automatic, and for a while I have suffered the inconsistent (strobing, blinking, dark) gear indicator, and recently I started getting the inconsistent flashing temperature warning light. I have seen posts where folks have sent their clusters out to have the solder joints reflowed, and some who have done some inspection and desoldering themselves.

My question is this: given these symptoms, are there specific connections that I should redo? It seems to me that there should be an area to focus on - possibly the 30 pin connector? The voltage regulator? Could it be the 30 pin connector does not need desoldering, but just some de-ox-it on the pins?

I have the cluster out, I have inspected the solder joints (with magnification), and all seems fine. I know my way around a soldering iron, even though I do not have a dedicated desoldering station, nor any kind of oven setup to reflow the entire board.

I have read previous posts, read different external links to removal and repair, but have not found a "if this, then do that" explanation.

I humbly await the blessing of knowledge from The Samba.
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David
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bcolins
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 02, 2025 10:17 am    Post subject: Re: Specific solder joints to redo on 95 instrument cluster Reply with quote

Wow David,.....not a single response. Goes to show this is a complicated discussing. Check out Ben's (Saturn) discussion on " EVC (or Eurovan?) space capsule. I think this topic is about 3-4 pages into his ongoing discussion with good pictures to illustrate. Also some helpful additional content from "M-Bob". I am thinking I am going to send mine off to have it done by that guy that fixes them for about $150 plus shipping (If I can find his contact info)

Brian in Austin.
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EuroTec
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2025 3:51 am    Post subject: Re: Specific solder joints to redo on 95 instrument cluster Reply with quote

That 30 pin connector is notorious for glitches. Sometimes just resoldering the connections helps. Just heat, flow in some solder and see if it helps. It can't hurt. Wink
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bcolins
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 16, 2025 12:54 pm    Post subject: Re: Specific solder joints to redo on 95 instrument cluster Reply with quote

dsh1705 wrote:
I have a 95 EVC automatic, and for a while I have suffered the inconsistent (strobing, blinking, dark) gear indicator, and recently I started getting the inconsistent flashing temperature warning light. I have seen posts where folks have sent their clusters out to have the solder joints reflowed, and some who have done some inspection and desoldering themselves.

My question is this: given these symptoms, are there specific connections that I should redo? It seems to me that there should be an area to focus on - possibly the 30 pin connector? The voltage regulator? Could it be the 30 pin connector does not need desoldering, but just some de-ox-it on the pins?

I have the cluster out, I have inspected the solder joints (with magnification), and all seems fine. I know my way around a soldering iron, even though I do not have a dedicated desoldering station, nor any kind of oven setup to reflow the entire board.

I have read previous posts, read different external links to removal and repair, but have not found a "if this, then do that" explanation.

I humbly await the blessing of knowledge from The Samba.


Hey David, did you see Euro-tec's response? Can you help me get my circuit board out of my 95 cluster? The cluster is out and clear cover is off. I'm stuck there.

Brian
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dsh1705 Premium Member
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 16, 2025 5:36 pm    Post subject: Re: Specific solder joints to redo on 95 instrument cluster Reply with quote

Quote:
Hey David, did you see Euro-tec's response? Can you help me get my circuit board out of my 95 cluster? The cluster is out and clear cover is off. I'm stuck there.


Yep. When I get back to this, I might just redo all 30 pins on that connector.

Here is a YouTube video showing removal of the cluster, as well as the circuit board.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXM7ZreBuuY&t=306s
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David
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bcolins
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 19, 2025 2:52 am    Post subject: Re: Specific solder joints to redo on 95 instrument cluster Reply with quote

dsh1705 wrote:
Quote:
Hey David, did you see Euro-tec's response? Can you help me get my circuit board out of my 95 cluster? The cluster is out and clear cover is off. I'm stuck there.


Yep. When I get back to this, I might just redo all 30 pins on that connector.

Here is a YouTube video showing removal of the cluster, as well as the circuit board.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXM7ZreBuuY&t=306s


Thomas has saved me a couple of times. My circuit board is very different with the voltage regulator located in the center of one side of the board
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2025 8:50 am    Post subject: Re: Specific solder joints to redo on 95 instrument cluster Reply with quote

EuroTec wrote:
That 30 pin connector is notorious for glitches. Sometimes just resoldering the connections helps. Just heat, flow in some solder and see if it helps. It can't hurt. Wink


I fear bridging two of those adjacent solder points on that 28/30 pin connector,...or possibly damaging the board from overheating. I do have a pinpoint soldering iron with adjustable temperature,....but my history has shown that I am not the best when it comes to soldering
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dsh1705 Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 14, 2025 8:33 pm    Post subject: Re: Specific solder joints to redo on 95 instrument cluster Reply with quote

I can report that on my cluster (95), where the issue was an intermittent shift indicator and an intermittent flashing coolant light that resoldering (desolder, then solder) the 28 pin connector fixed the issues. I did not desolder any other connections - they all looked good.
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bcolins
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 15, 2025 6:22 am    Post subject: Re: Specific solder joints to redo on 95 instrument cluster Reply with quote

dsh1705 wrote:
I can report that on my cluster (95), where the issue was an intermittent shift indicator and an intermittent flashing coolant light that resoldering (desolder, then solder) the 28 pin connector fixed the issues. I did not desolder any other connections - they all looked good.


Congratulations!
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