'84 Gauge Cluster Question

Hey guys.  So I just bought a remanufactured gauge cluster for my '84, and it seems a little bit odd.

On every other car I've had with a digital portion of the cluster, say a digital speedometer, that portion is brightest during the day, and then dims when you turn on the lights.

My cluster appears to be just the opposite.  When my lights are off, the gauges are dimmed.  When I turn my headlights on, the cluster brightens up fully, and I can dim it.

I've heard people say that '84 clusters are hard to read during the day anyway, is this why?

That said, the whole install took me about an hour...with a break in the middle for a meatball sandwich.

not sure about an 84 but on my 90 there is a sensor that controls the brightness during the day. in bright sunlight, it brightens so you can see it. when it starts getting dark it dims until you turn the lites on. are you doing this in the garage or in the sunlight?

I've got a rebuilt cluster in my 84. It can be hard to read during the day, especially if sunlight shines directly on the cluster. There is a non-adjustable sensor. The best way to test it at night is obviously try it at night. It should be easily readable at night with headlights on.

The original '84 clusters sucked for brightness in the daytime. The '85-up clusters were much brighter. If your cluster is an original '84 set-up, that may be as good as it gets. If it has been upgraded, then it should be fairly legible in daylight, but direct sunlight will definitely wash it out, and make it unreadable.
Imma thinkin my '85 will also get brighter with the headlights on....I haven't really paid any attention to it. Of course, I haven't actually driven it lately, either....

I've read about replacement bulb numbers somewhere for the '84 dash that brighten the displays up, but not much. I'm sure you could Google it and compare them against the original 882 Halogen bulbs.

Are you sure your dash sensor is working properly? It's easy to test out with the ignition on, a flashlight and an eye on the display.

Yeah, turns out it was a stupid question.  I was testing it in my garage at night with the lights on.  Apparently that isn't a substitute for day light, because the next day it was really really bright and dims at night like its supposed to.  So the sensor is definitely working, only problem was that I'm an idiot.

I think the guy I got it from upgraded the lights in the cluster, because I've got no difficulty reading it in direct sunlight.  He was also the cheapest on eBay...$275 after a $100 core refund.

Only problem now is that I know my car is running really hot.  On to the next project.  Thanks guys!

not an idiot kurt. when you just get something there are many things you have to learn about cars. i had an 81 caddy and everytime i made a left turn the headlights would come on (automatic headlight system).  went crazy trying to figure it out and was checking everything. turned out that when the car was inspected they put the sticker up higher than normal and when i turned the sticker cast enough of a shadow that it would trigger the lights.

is the car overheating or is just the temp when the fan comes on. if i remember the fans dont come on until 225 degrees.  keep us posted.

That's nuts about the Cadillac, man.  Who would have thought that would ever even happen?  Can't make that up, I suppose.

It's actually overheating, but I already know the issue.  There's a crack in the radiator right near the cap, so it's not holding pressure.  Probably going to need a radiator, but I've got a radiator place guy right up the road from me...may as well let him have a look at it first, just in case.

 have a great day in your c4   stay cool if your in ohio..the temp hit 103 yesterday hell even the ants are complaining.