Today I had to pull the instrument panel cluster out of my 84 T/A so I could clean the contacts on my IP lamps (they were working intermittently- found corrosion and hi resistance on most all the lamps. Not surprising after having been in service for 18 years...)

When putting the cluster back together I noticed a few unused holes where lamps were supposed to mount. While most didn't have any corresponding telltale indicators on the instrument panel face (that is, they were just blacked out), I did notice one that still had a indicator labeled 'shift up' (located to the right of the voltmeter). Obviously this was never used as I didn't find a lamp and socket in that hole- however the service manual identifies the connections on the flexible printed circuit as going to a 'shift up T.T.'

Out of curiosity, does anyone know why this feature was never implemented? I assume the circuit was never completely installed in '84s, and this is maybe a 'leftover' feature from the '82-3 models that was dropped in '84....

Thanks!

Have you owned the car for 18 years? If not I'd say the guy before you took the darn thing out, cause it annoyed the hell out of him, just like it did me. Not gonna let some computer tell me when to shift! :lala:

I ordered the car new from the dealer- so I know it's never been messed with. In fact it's the first time I've pulled the instrument cluster since it was put in at the factory.

I agree though- I don't want a idiot light telling me when I should shift, either. But I was wondering if it was a 'leftover' feature from the previous year. Or maybe it's meant for 6-cylinder Firebirds with manuals and they just leave it off for the V8 and TransAm models.

I think I'm really not sure but I think it was intended for the four cylinder engines with manual transmissions.

I had a 1984 Fiero before I bought my Firebird back in 1985 and the Fiero had it I think was intended for fuel economy it was annoying

Could have been an option you didn't choose.

Nice , a 15 year thread necro , Hell this thread is so old next year it can get it's driver's license !