1993 Bravada Compass and Temp Display - Help Needed

Hello All,

I have a 1993 Bravada I'm in the process of restoring.

Though it has about 180,000 miles on it the engine uses about 1/2 quart between oil changes and has the compression and look of a new engine. It is the original; I'm not sure how it's managed. Guess it's been pooched.

I'm the second owner.

Anyway... it's mainly the body that needs work. I'll need to replace the front fenders and do come creative sanding and painting.

However, the interior is imacculate. Leather, all power, you know, the works.

The one thing that's really bugged me is the compass/temp display. It's never worked since I've owned it and I pretty much forgot about it... that is, until last night when I went on a bread and milk run. Upon initial startup, the display lit and for five minutes worked perfectly. I do not know if it lit before or after I turned on the headlights, but I played with the dimmer and it winked back out.

Now I'm bothered again. I KNOW it works. I just do not know why. I cannot find a wiring diagram for the thing. Does it get its power exclusively from the dimmer switch? That could explain why it winked back out.

I had resigned myself to replacing it, but it looks like it may not be in the unit itself and I don't want to waste money replacing a perfectly good display.

What would keep it from lighting, or displaying at all? Does anyone have a diagram, or could you verbally give me a routing for all the wires going to the thing?

Thanks,

Josh <><

Hi Josh,
After doing a little checking it seems part of the display has power all the time, part has power only when the keyswitch is turned on and the lights are powered by the dimmer switch. There's a gray wire on the dimmer switch that lights up the display according to this thread:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=414215&highlight=overhead+display

The LCD display has black segments that need back lighting for you to see them, you can try shining a flashlight into the display to see if its actualy displaying info. If it is and the backlight is out you might look for one from the auto recyclers. Is the '93 display in the rearview mirror like the "92?

The LCD display has black segments that need back lighting for you to see them, you can try shining a flashlight into the display to see if its actualy displaying info. If it is and the backlight is out you might look for one from the auto recyclers. Is the '93 display in the rearview mirror like the "92?

Hello,

I did try that. It's a no-go. In fact, it seems to have picked up a faint glow when it's dark and the engine's on, like it's trying to backlight something.

It's not in the mirror; it's in the overhead console above the mirror. It's also not traditional LCD; it's more like a green readout on a VCR or one of the first calculators.

Thanks,

Josh <><