HUD dimming problem

[sfrance]

My '01 GPs HUD dims then brightens by itsels. Sometimes it only dims for a few mins, othertimes it can stay gone for much longer. Anyone know of a fix short of replacing the unit? Also, NE1 know about what it would cost to replace the unit?

[gtpinsc]

u can get a HUD replacement from ebay for pretty cheap... just have to look around cuz some of the prices are stupid high.. but others are relatively cheaply priced.

[BillBoost37]

Here's a how to fix it

Remove the trim panel over the HUD and remove the HUD itself.
Remove the 4 T15 screws holding the HUD together at the four corners


Looking inside we see the circuit board, remove the two wire brown connector from the board



Remove the ribbon cable from the board



Gently pull back the two tabs being pointed to by the pens and lift that side of the circuit board.


Now with your circuit board out, find the photocell. It is the round sliver item with a glass on it.


Find the two solder dots holding the photocell to the circuit board on the other side.


Using a soldering iron (smallish tip) touch each of the two soldering points for the photocell to reflow the solder on them. Reflowing is heating them up to allow the solder to liquify again and make a good connection.

Reassemble. If the issue was a loose photocell, your problem should now be solved.

[I800C0LLECT]

Mine does the same...however. The photocell is the key. At night depending on lighting conditions the "dimming" of the HUD changes. It's a direct response to street lights etc.

[sfrance]

Thanks for the info. I'm gonna take it apart this weekend & try to fix it. If it doesn't work, I guess I'm off to Ebay.

[matt5112]

typically its the outer joint that goes bad first.

I only had to redo the outer for mine to work.

[Trump]

On my Wife's car, the 2001 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI, the HUD seems to be a lot dimmer than mine on my 2004 Pontiac GTP ? I see the listing on new HUD's but not sure if it is the HUD or what, but it is a lot harder to see as far as the brightness then mine is.Is there a way to increase the brightness other than the outside setting with the knob?

[BillBoost37]

Trump, not that I know of. The 00+ Bonnies were always a bit on the dim side in the daylight. Actually it kinda started in 97's. Never really applied to the GP's though.

[joelnv02GTP]

tried this fix last night and my hud works great again, took it for a drive this morning and no dimming problems anymore. thanx for the quick fix

[Trump]

[B OK ]BillBoost37[/B]

We drove the 01 Bonneville today and I see what you mean, it just is not as bright as my 04 GP GTP. We will live with it, thanks for the comment.

[suzie]

my hud only works for a short period of time occasionally when it's cold. When it does work it's bright, but then fades away. Could I be experiencing the same problem. Or should I be looking for a different resolution?

[matt5112]

probably the same issue.

Try it and find out.

[BillBoost37]

Sure sounds like it Suz

[suzie]

ok I will try tomorrow and post results. Thanks. Oh by the way a huge thank you to the people that left comments on my no-start problem...It was the ignition starter switch! I will post on that thread. Also fixed the window switch by a great thread on cleaning contacts and my DIC is fixed by replacing the 3 bulbs. AWESOME FORUM SOOOOOO HELPFUL!

[sfrance]

I still haven't been able to give this a chance yet... life's just too busy. 1 question though: Is there a trick to getting the trim off to get to the HUD? I was looking at it the other day and didn't see anything obvious. Does it just pop out?