In my 02 LS, I took the dash cluster out to solder in new light bulbs. I put it back together and back into the car. A few days later, I noticed the Odometer and PRND321 were really dim and sometimes barely readable. Then a few starts later, it could be bright again.

But with it dim and unbolted. I hit on it some, and could sometimes get it to brighten up back to where it was.

Is there any known problem with this? I'm thinking of removing the clear rubber sealant from the back of the board for the connector, and resolder those connectors incase there is a cold solder joint. If that don't work, then I may do the same for the pins for the Odometer piece that is soldered to the board.

 

My odometer is always dim, but I don't know why. Half of my RPM gauge is dark also. And the lights for buttons on the passenger side don't work.

 

So I assume this isn't a common problem? I'm going to hope it's a cold solder joint as that is easy to fix vs. it being a problem with the small odometer backlite board chip.

 

I would re-check your solder joints, maybe heat the iron up nice and hot and just dab it on the joints real light to try and melt it together better.

 

First I'll do the joints for the plug on the board. If that don't work, then I'll do the joints for the odomoter chip.

Though, there is this clear rubber coating on the back of those joints I'll have to peel off. I'll probably put electrical tape over the joints when done.

I did notice when I had the cluster apart. That the lower right corner of the odometer screen had a burnt spot at the corner of the glass.