I've got a K10042 instrument cluster, and I'm having some weird issues, that some other posts suggest might point to the thermal compensator board, but I'm not so sure. There's a lot more going on here than just the temperature gauge going haywire.

Here are the symptoms: When I turn my headlights on, the turn signal indicator lights and the high beam indicator light all start to glow, which was intermittent at first but it's pretty much all the time now. Simultaneously, the dash illuminator lights go off so I can't see the speedo, clock, or temperature/guel gauges. And in addition to those other symptoms, the temperature indicator shoots way up, faster than the engine could possibly ever heat up (the engine and coolant are fine so I know it's not a temperature issue). When I turn the rheostat all the way down to the off position, the temperature reading usually goes back to normal, and the glowing indicator lights usually (but not always) stop glowing. So the rheostat is somehow at play with this whole thing. I changed the rheostat and that didn't seem to help. Can a bad thermal compensator board cause all of the other funkiness in the turn signal and highbeam indicators, and be effected by the rheostat? Or is there more to this story?


If it is a bad thermal compensator, what's a good source for a cheap new one?

I'm trying to fix it without having to replace the whole cluster. I'm on a tight budget here. Thanks so much for your thoughts.

When activating one electrical load (here, the headlights) causes another electrical load (here, the turn signals) to work, or partially work, *always* first suspect there's a bad ground connection. What's probably happening is that headlight current can't adequately reach ground as its supposed to, so it takes a different path - in this case, running back up *through* the turn signals (and thereby lighting the cluster turn signal indicators as you see) and thence to ground.

There is a large, ground connection on the side of the engine compartment just behind each headlight unit. (I think it's a 10mm bolt.) Remove the bolt, fully clean (sandpaper works if you remove all the grit, or use steel wool) all parts and around the threaded hole, and reconnect. Do this on both sides.

rockwell,
This is what I would do:
1) Pull the instrument cluster
2) Remove the temp. compensator board and solder leads 1 & 3.
There are several threads in the BrickBoard data base on this
subject. Use the "search" function to find what you need.
3) With the cluster out check the wires, from ground to connectors,
and clean or repair any contacts that appear crusty or broken.
4) Check the headlight switch, ground, & wiring because that seems to
be where your issue lies...
In my opinion, you definitely have a bad temp. compensator. It is super easy to repair and there is plenty of information on the BrickBoard to get you back to square on that issue. As far as the headlight condition, that will require a little investigation. I would start by removing and cleaning all the contacts in the fuse box and replace all the fuses with fresh ones. Cheap and easy... I can't tell you how that cheap fix solved several of my electrical gremlins. Next, I would check the headlight switch wiring. When you have the cluster out to do the temp. board the headlight switch will be easily approached...sounds like a ground issue. Maybe a trip to the pick & pull for a new switch may solve your drama. But, the wiring still needs to be inspected to see if there are any faulty connections. Hope this gets you pointed in the right direction. Re-post a new message if you need more help. Peace, Jon