AAAHHH CRAP... need help guys

[chev74]

well i had a thread about a week ago about my new gauge cluster... paid $150 for it

well, here it is... "carefully stored since 1986" - what should i do guys?!?!

heres the link for the cluster http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...TODAY.m238.lVI

can i reapir the printed circuit? glue the broken tab? complain to seller?

[canadianc-10]

you could complaining to seller. most times however its a waste of time. however, seller did specify that ALL the tabs were intact. not sure if you can repair print circiut or not.

[chev74]

well heres a few more pics... upon closer inspection the actual metal that holds current has been mangled somewhat

[Texas Lefty]

GM used to sell a kit to repiar the cluster cicuit board or defrosters on the back glass it looked like fingernail polish only a copper color and it worked I have used it on defrosters and clusters both I do not know where to get it for sure however I am certian an auto parts store could get the defroster repiar kit

[beaterC10]

I would pitch a fit with the seller. That is inexcusable to mis represent something like that.

[chev74]

well i just ot off the phone with my dad, who is an electrical technician

he said it shouldnt really do anything as long as they dont cross conduct. he says i should just lay them back into their original place and rtv them down. then rtv the top laminate piece down on top of it.

[Gregs71]

kragen makes a defroster repair kit. Just adding to Texas Leftys' post.

Greg

[Kixwy2]

Yeah, but that's still $150 you paid... I'd bring it up with the seller and ask for a partial refund - did you pay with Paypal? You can dispute the charges and say it was misrepresented, especially if you had previous contact with the seller asking questions and whatnot.

I've never really been burned on ebay but I have had disputes. Paypal is good about helping out though, and if you've backed it up with a credit card, that's another point in your favor.

[BLE 'BURBAN]

Permatex/loctite makes a rear window defroster repair kit that you can use to repair/mend the circuit board with but instead of using rtv to stick it back together with, use #M's GENERAL TRIM SPRAY ADHESIVE.
Once your circuit repairs are dried, spray the insides of the laminates with the adhesive, wait about 5 minutes before placing them together to allow the adhesive to "tack up"
Press the 2 sides together and if necessary, tape them down or place something heavy on them to hold them together,A socket should work.

As for the broken mounting tap, a 2 part plastic epoxy will work wonders for repairing that.

[chev74]

i like the repair kit idea...

as for the epoxy, can i use gorilla glue? cuz i got some

[f.monroe]

Seems a little strange that his pics do not really show the damaged areas so you do not have a before and after to compare . I am sure he will just say that it was damaged in shipping . With that being said , If it was insured , let him know and he can claim it to try to get his money back . You should get your money back and can look for another cluster . There are plenty out there . Frank

[blink32]

I'd pitch a fit. Beyond the fact that none of that damage was noted in the auction the printed circuit looks burned and not simply like the plastic film separated and the wires lifted. But your pics are a little hard to make out so I could be mistaken. The section by the main plug looks like the film just separated but the two corners definitely appear to be burned to me. I had this issue on a cluster I worked on. New printed circuits are available at a reasonable cost but still, that's not a part that could be damaged in transit so the seller knowingly hid that fact.

[Kixwy2]

Originally Posted by blink32

I'd pitch a fit. Beyond the fact that none of that damage was noted in the auction the printed circuit looks burned and not simply like the plastic film separated and the wires lifted. But your pics are a little hard to make out so I could be mistaken. The section by the main plug looks like the film just separated but the two corners definitely appear to be burned to me. I had this issue on a cluster I worked on. New printed circuits are available at a reasonable cost but still, that's not a part that could be damaged in transit so the seller knowingly hid that fact.

Yeah, and did you see the question another bidder asked about damage? The seller replied all tabs were intact.

He lied.

Get some of your money back if you can.

[BLE 'BURBAN]

Originally Posted by chev74

i like the repair kit idea...

as for the epoxy, can i use gorilla glue? cuz i got some

Because that mounting tab is for one of the mounting screws for the bezel, gorilla glue will hold it in place about as well a freshly chewed bubble gum would.
A 2 part plastic epoxy can be found at your local auto parts store. It comes in a dual cylinder syringe like dispenser.
Just squeeze out 2 equal lengths and mix them together then just use a plastic knife or even a plastic spoon or fork handle to mix it and apply it.
Once it's dried you can sand it and/or trim it down. And the holding strength will be much better than new.

[andresco50]

You can do 2 things:

Buy a printed circuit from lmctruck or

Peel of the plastic and weld the broken part of the circuit

[mhicks]

JB Weld, it'll fix anything!

[jjgmc]

cason i have a defroster repair kit at the houes