bad parts received.

[95GTP]

Well as we all know its hard to get parts so we shop around right?  Ebay being a major place to shop for TGP parts is where most of us go right?  I would just like to caution you all about the parts we bid on, some are CRAP!  like the ones I have received.  

I ordered a guage cluster and it had all kinds of problems with it, luckily I put together one good one from the two I had, next is a DIC.  The one I had wouldnt keep its memory and when the car was turned off it would dump all I programed, the one I just got does the same thing.

I would have rather used the money on something else, now I have a box getting full of crap parts that dont work.

So it the ad sez "as far as I know it all works"  take that for "its a piece of crap".

I hope there is no one here doing that :evil:

[4PASNU]

......next is a DIC.  The one I had wouldnt keep its memory and when the car was turned off it would dump all I programed, the one I just got does the same thing.

Just a thought here but maybe it's not the DIC causing this problem.  A lot of electronics need power to retain memory.  Now I'm not sure if the DIC is this way or not but that could be your problem.  Maybe there is a constant 12VDC line going to the DIC that holds the memory that is bad on your car.  Can anyone look at the wiring diagram to check this?

[95GTP]

The dick that sent me the bad DIC had differnet problems than the DIC I had that was bad. :shock:

The newest Dic only keeps the memory for the service entries but not the time/date/compass cal.  The old Dic wouldnt keep anything.  I have already checked the power source for the memory and its from the battery all the time.  Its OK.

 I'm going to try some resoldering on the circuit boards like the repairs for the guage cluster and we will see if that is the problem.

[RareGMFan]

It is very common for the 2 door TGP, LCD style DICs to have issues.  This is why a lot of people try to convert to the VFD style.  The compass constantly asking to be recalibrated is one of those very common problems.

[Chris A]

Well, maybe you should go back to the person so he can pull another one off the shelf and send it to you. If it doesn't read, "Tested and works 100%" then buyer beware. Did you ask if it worked 100%?

I don't think you have much right to complain. Alot of junkyards are the same way. Used parts are just that USED.  You take a chance. If you don't want to spend the $225 to get the cluster fixed, then thats the chance you take. I'm sorry, but you are talking 14-15 year old parts from GENERAL MOTORS, parts that had problems 1-2 years or less after production.

What did the person who sold you the parts say?

[R Dubya]

A lot of Ebay sellers are very dependant on feedback also.  If they told you it works then threaten them with negative feedback and see what happens.

[4PASNU]

A lot of Ebay sellers are very dependant on feedback also.  If they told you it works then threaten them with negative feedback and see what happens.

I totally agree with that statement.  I won't do anything on ebay without consulting the feedback first.  I also say contact the seller and see if they will deal.  It never hurts to ask.

[Chris A]

Yeah, but like me, I sell things in good faith because I hate to throw something away that some one might use, but can't always fully test it. In reality its not worth the trouble or the money in most cases to sell it.

Someone gets it, something doens't work and they don't even tell me. Then they leave negative feedback that makes it sound as if I'm the worst guy in the world. I've had a few cases where something was disclosed in the auction and they just didn't read it. Thats why i got away from a "terms" list, no one pays any attention anyway.

I have nothing against getting a good part. And certainly don't agree with misrepresentation, there are bad guys on ebay. But when buying something Used sight unseen, you have to ask questions ESPECIALLY if it says as is. Ebay isn't Best Buy, where you get a 110% price and satisfaction guarantee. Its an elaborate classified ad and you should treat it as if you were calling up the person from the newspaper. And if it doesn't work, 1st don't assume its broken. Second ask the seller why it may not work. If its sold as is, sorry but buyer beware.

[95GTP]

I'm not going to give negative feed back to the guy that sold it to me,  I know the rules plus I stole it from him for $6.  My point was to everyone reading this to beware.  14 year old parts do have some problems and so do new ones.  I dont know if someone can get these parts new off the shelf.  But if your building up a TGP from a basket case and your on a budget ya have to go somewhere.

Anyone try tinkering with the DIC circuit boards?

Now off to the junkyard for a 1990 am/fm/cassette for the TGP (OEM type).  Guy wanted $50, going to try to talk him into $10-20.  I'll use the 14 year old part excuse.  :)

[95GTP]

DIC problem found and more...see "problems and solutions" section

[TGPilot]

My point was to everyone reading this to beware.

Beware of what? You are buying used parts! Anytime you buy something used, no matter the age, you have to suspect that it may or may not work correctly. Now according to your other post about finding the issue...don't you feel like an ass for over-reacting about something that was not the Ebay sellers fault to begin with?? 8)

[95GTP]

Just delete this whole post.   lets just leave it at that.

[Chris A]

You're right, people should beware and understand what the deal is and be responsible buyers. This post brought up some good info on buying stuff on the internet.