99 Silhouette Overhead Computer

tlh1025 · #1 03-13-2009, 11:33 PM

Hi: Please help with a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette Premier -- overhead computer that quit working. Initially, it was intermittent - would work occasionally and then quit. Took it into the dealer, and it was working then so they thought I was nuts. Now it won't work at all. I've ordered a manual to give me some ideas, since I don't know where to start and don't want to pay the dealer another $69 to tell me it's probably going to be a $200 repair. Thanks for any help/suggestions!

merc81 · #2 03-14-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlh1025

Hi: Please help with a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette Premier -- overhead computer that quit working. Initially, it was intermittent - would work occasionally and then quit. Took it into the dealer, and it was working then so they thought I was nuts. Now it won't work at all. I've ordered a manual to give me some ideas, since I don't know where to start and don't want to pay the dealer another $69 to tell me it's probably going to be a $200 repair. Thanks for any help/suggestions!

Tell me what manual you ordered? I went to the junk yard and replaced my overhead DIC (ya, that's Driver Information Center) and the 2nd one went bad also. In both cases it is the display driver IC chip thats failed.
I own the 22,000 + page Helms factory books for this van and there isn't any data at all about the internals of the overhead display board. You found something to purchase that details the display?

tlh1025 · #3 03-14-2009, 10:35 AM

I ordered a factory manual (bought off of eBay). I bought the van used a couple of years back, and it didn't have one with it. Someone had suggested that the problem might be a fuse, and that I needed the manual to figure it out. Sorry -- single soccer mom, not a mechanic, so I am really working blind here. I'm pretty analytical, though, and hope to be able to follow some basic instructions to fix this thing myself. I've sunk over $1,800 in the last month between manifold gasket replacement, new water pump, new windshield, etc., and really can't afford to put much more into the van. I love this thing, though, and don't want to get rid of it, so I just keep fixing the little things....hence the computer (DIC). Thanks.

duke350 · #4 03-14-2009, 11:26 AM

Have you checked on gmpartsdirect.com ? Without knowing your details, it looks like you can buy a new gm unit for $268.64. But I am unsure if this is what you are looking for.

tlh1025 · #5 03-14-2009, 06:50 PM

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll definitely look at that as a last resort. I was hoping the problem might be something a bit less expensive.....

duke350 · #6 03-14-2009, 07:26 PM

New and genuine parts are usually a bit more in price, but as previously posted, with junkyard parts you never know what you are going to get. Most places will not even attempt to repair an electronic part, they would swap it out. If you can get yours out, and verify that's what the problem is, with a bit of looking I am sure you could find a re-manufacturer for your part, or a re-builder who would take yours as a core. Of course, this is all assuming that the problem is a burned out IC like Merc had.

merc81 · #7 03-16-2009, 05:33 PM

ITs the display itself, if my experience is any indication. I have 3 versions of the van, and all 3 have bad or intermittent displays overhead. When I did have it working, I wasn't that impressed, but still its nice to have all the doo dads functioning.

Get a used one at a junkyard--you don't want to shell out near $300 for a new one. Also be aware that the chevy astro, venture, olds, Montana all use the same or nearly the same DIC. You get them on ebay from time to time as well.

mhall02 · #8 03-17-2009, 11:00 AM

When mine went out it was due to rain water leaking into the unit. The window seal had a gap in the top that was allowing seepage, led to its demise. I have not replaced it, the only thing that worked right on it was the direction, MPG was off consistently by 10% or more (estimated too high) and outdoor temp was hit and miss.

rockwood84 · #9 03-28-2009, 02:48 PM

the dic shares the radio fuse .if the radio works then the fuse is good.if not the fuse is in the fuse box on the end of the passengerside dash.a '99 silverado has the same dic as the vans.if you see a black spot in the display screen then it has shorted out.

Poniedzialek · #10 07-09-2009, 02:08 PM

Hi,
I have fixed the problem by re soldering two resistors on the board (just below the left side of the display ).You can see the brake on the solder.

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