1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Dash cluster

YAMANTURK

MEMBER
1987 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS
174,000 MILES

The dash light does not work. I have been told the entire dash cluster needs to be replaced even though the gauges seem to be in working order, with the exception of the gas gauge, but I think that's a float problem. I have looked for replacement ones, but they either have the shift indicator under the tach, which I do not need because I don't have the shifter on the column, or no tach at all. What is my best solution? To get one with the shift indicator and swap out the little blank piece from my existing one ( if that's even an option), to get the one that has a blank plate instead of the tach and swap out my existing tach (I think that will require soldering to the replacement's circuit board), or do I have another option for an aftermarket yet unobtrusive dash light replacment?

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

Assuming you checked the back-light bulbs to be sure they're not burned out, and that the dash or circuitry can't be repaired, and you want to replace the dash, when two options were available they typically all came with a shift indicator, then if it wasn't used a blackout plate was installed at the factory. You would transfer that plate from your old dash to the replacement dash.