Faulty display in Fluke 87 multimeter

[Norman Cousins]

We have several Fluke 87 multimeters whose display segments are faint or of varied contrast. New batteries do not help. Meters are otherwise working well.

Are replacement displays available and easily replaced?

[WPTSKI]

Not sure if this is what your asking for:Kit (http://www.a-fluke.com/a-fluke/index.htm)

[JasonA]

Hello Norman. We do list replacement parts under our support link on the website. It looks like the LCD is no longer available for your model, but there is a serial number range listed regarding the LCD. We do however list the Elastromeric connector kit for this unit. Most likely the problem is oxidization on the connection between the LCD and the PCB. Replacing the connectors and cleaning the contacts with a soft eraser may solve your problems.

[Johnnyb]

Hello Norman,

We've seen this problem in our lab for years. It is caused by oxidization between all of the LCD connections to the PCB, just like Jason has mentioned above. You can resolve this problem by simply disassembling the 87's display module and cleaning all the contacts, including the elastomeric pads, with alcohol and a swab. Reassemble the display module and place it back on the PCB. All of the 87's display segments should now be uniform and crisp to the eye. :D

[Mack Baxter]

This is the first I have known about this website-- It looks great!

I complained to FLUKE 2 years ago about these display problems-
at that time, they would only sell me a whole new meter!
What madels is this kit good for?
-- looks like the kit only fits a few specific models,--
Will that be corrected in the future?
Sincerely, Mack Baxter- Widmer's Wine- Naples, NY

[RobinM]

The Elastromeric connector kit is compatible with all 80 series meters.

RobinM

[Mack Baxter]

Question:
Is the Elastomeric kit last referred to-- Is that the new display kit we are talking about? Thanks, Mack

[SteveC]

The elastomeric kit is available from Fluke, and the part number is 627494. This is not the display upgrade kit (model DR80). The problem you've described is notr a problem with the display - replacing the elastomeric connectors will correct the problem. You can call Fluke at 800-526-4731 to order the kit.

[turbo!]

The elastomeric kit is available from Fluke, and the part number is 627494. This is not the display upgrade kit (model DR80). The problem you've described is notr a problem with the display - replacing the elastomeric connectors will correct the problem. You can call Fluke at 800-526-4731 to order the kit.

Would this not be covered under the limited lifetime warranty?

[RobinM]

Would this not be covered under the limited lifetime warranty?


For warranty status please call Fluke service at 888-993-5853.

[mblazer]

I had the same problem with my 83. I found a kit on eBay for $10 (seller: a-fluke) and installed it myself. It came with complete instructions. If you are comfortable taking your meter apart, it shouldn't be a problem. Just be careful releasing the tabs holding the display.

[WPTSKI]

I had the same problem with my 83. I found a kit on eBay for $10 (seller: a-fluke) and installed it myself. It came with complete instructions. If you are comfortable taking your meter apart, it shouldn't be a problem. Just be careful releasing the tabs holding the display.
That's the link that I listed in Post #2.

[brw117]

I just cleaned the terminals of a fluke 88 autometer that I thought were bad. And all it was was a little oxidation which made the meter good as new.

Remove the screws on the back.

Disconnect the battery

Be careful and remove the outer LCD cover (clipped on)

Gently pull off the LCD portion (it sits on the possibly oxidized connections that you'll soon clean with alcohol)

Pull off the bottom white LCD backing still in the meter (connected by 2 pins on the left)

Clean all the circular button connections and the pins below the LCD in the skinny slots top and bottom for the LCD about roughly 40 pins.

Hope it helped.

Remember you run the chance of damaging it.

[turbo!]

I just cleaned the terminals of a fluke 88 autometer that I thought were bad. And all it was was a little oxidation which made the meter good as new.

Remove the screws on the back.

Disconnect the battery

Be careful and remove the outer LCD cover (clipped on)

Gently pull off the LCD portion (it sits on the possibly oxidized connections that you'll soon clean with alcohol)

Pull off the bottom white LCD backing still in the meter (connected by 2 pins on the left)

Clean all the circular button connections and the pins below the LCD in the skinny slots top and bottom for the LCD about roughly 40 pins.

Hope it helped.

Remember you run the chance of damaging it.

If you can't obtain free warranty service from Fluke, use Caig DeoxIT if its available. If that doesn't correct the cause, there's a fading display kit for ~$15 or so shipped on eBay for various models of Fluke.

[afpmelguy]

I also service these meters and this problem is fairly easy to fix. You can clean and turn the connector over only so many times. The best fix is to clean the LCD and main board and replace the connectors with the improved parts.
I have those parts on hand if interested in doing the work your self. On the other hand if you are not so comfortable opening the meter, I could also service it for you for a small price.
I also have the replacement LCD for the 87 if you need it. Let me know if I can be of help. You can contact me at flukemeterguy@yahoo.com

[cdnelectrician]

I think the LCD has a warranty of 10 years on all Fluke's meters with a lifetime warranty. :cool:

-Stefan

[Sargent J]

I have replaced the lcd screen in a fluke 16, I purchased the new lcd from fluke and it worked great. You have to take care when doing it but its not surgery.

[A-FLUKE]

In reading over all of the comments by both Fluke personel and 80 series owners, I would like to pass on some tips in regards to the LCD Segment Fading conditions that are prevalent on these meters as well as the 70 series. In earlier comments, one message on this subject stated "to use rubbing alcohol to clean the surfaces". Rubbing Alcohol should never be used on PCB surfaces and/or the bottom of the LCD contact surface. Alcohol will enhance surface oxidation, which may be an immediate visual successful fix to the end user, when in fact the oxidation process will quicken, with repeat fading beginning typically within 90 days. Once the original 'Pink' colored elastomers are removed, they will have notches (visual dents) in them from the PCB contacts....if you sat for ten+ years on a PCB contact strip, you too would have some dents in your bottom as well! The elastomers, once removed can never be properly realigned to provide adequate and equal pressure once reinstalled. Like an Oil Pan seal on a car or truck engine, you don't use it over if you remove the Oil Pan! Same principle with the elastomers, Pink or Gray, they will have notches or small indentations.

Another comment was the use of an eraser to clean the surfaces....problem here is erasers work on the principle of abrasion....what eraser is the end user going to use? How hard are they going to push down?...How may times are they going to rub the recommended surface areas? That is like not calling out a sandpaper grit size number when giving written instructions to make a paint refinish prep on your car or truck.....there's a big difference between an 80 grit and an 800 grit sandpaper! The FLUKE instruction sheets that accompany the Gray Elastomers from FLUKE are a little scary (as is the eraser) ....the instructions are way too intrusive for the "Do-it-Yourselfer" ...taking him or her way too far into the meter PCB and therefore leading to breakage of the PCB cover tabs,Mask support, and or LCD Glass. We have sold the Fluke replacement parts to these do-it-yourselfers after they tell us how it happened. The Segment Repair Kits sold on eBay by a-fluke have instructions that are easy to follow, Goof-Proof, Non-intrusive, correct cleaning materials to use and safe for the meter and it's owner-operator.

If your Fluke 80 series has a Green-Yellow back lighting color, your meter was built with the old style 'Pink' elastomers.

There are updated 'Gray' colored elastomers available for the Fluke 70 series DMM, but No instructions or Kit. The 70 series is a bit more tricky...Use caution when centering and pushing down on the latch tabs of the Mask upon reinstallation...very easy to break the LCD glass on the 70 series!

Great Western Fluke
Automotive Training Group
Scottsdale, Arizona

[Calibra]

Rubbing Alcohol should never be used on PCB surfaces and/or the bottom of the LCD contact surface. Alcohol will enhance surface oxidation, which may be an immediate visual successful fix to the end user, when in fact the oxidation process will quicken, with repeat fading beginning typically within 90 days.

I have used alcohol when needed, to clean the LCD tracks on both glass and PCB due to oil contamination. (Motor mechanic's meter)

Your comments with that alcohol should never be used, do you mean the cleaning the surface of the PCA assembly can accelrate the oxidation process?....I need to do homework on that "cleaning bit".

But I do know - 'skin oil' on the LCD rubber which affects the long term reliablility (some segments fading on the LCD).
Again, you are exactly right with the PCB pad indentations from old rubber LCD interconnectors. Under a magnfiying glass, the rubber indentations (from the PCA side) looks like the top of the walls of a medieval castle.
With servicing, without question - I replace the old pink LCD interconnects with the new grey type - so the multimeter won't come back for earlier service than usual.

Calibra

[A-FLUKE]

Instead of using Alcohol on the bottom surface contacts of the LCD Glass, place it face down on clean paper toweling, spray it with glass cleaner (Pressureized can type), and wipe entire surface with light pressure using a folded piece of paper toweling....a clean white tee shirt also works well. Handle the LCD glass only by the ends, and examine in light to see that the old contact markings from the Pink Elastomers is completely gone. Repeat process if the old markings are still faintly present.

To clean the PCB contacts; Take one of the the Pink elatomers that was removed*, stand it on its end, place it back into the bottom slot, 90 degrees from how it was removed...using your thumb & index finger to hold onto the portion now sticking upward, move the Pink elastomer back and forth the full length of the slot against the contacts below....like you would do with an eraser...five times will do it. Remove the elastomer, turn it over and do the contacts on the top slot the same way.

Never TOUCH the New Gray elastomers....! Remove them from the package using a clean pair of tweezers, and install them into the slots using the tweezers. Lighty Tap in place using tweezers if one end is higher that the other so they are seated before reinstalling the LCD glass.

* use tweezers to remove the old Pink elastomers if they stay down in the slot(s) to avoid any 'skin oil' deposits being left....they usually stick to the bottom of the glass in most cases, which makes it easier.

A-FLUKE

[biggziff]

Just cleaned the contacts and elastomers on my 87. Works perfectly now!

Thanks for the tip!

[bradjustinen]

Amazing, it worked.

All I had to do was clean the contacts on the circuit board and it worked like new. I didn't want to mesh with cleaning contacts on the LCD because i had never seen that kind of connection before (Elastromerik?). Also the LCD tweeked out and didn't work properly until I replaced the little plastic front that snaps on.

Hope it helps!

[KuBand12]

I would like to upgrade the display on a Fluke 88 if the DR80 kit also upgrades the backlight. Does the DR80 kit upgrade the meter to the new style backlight as well?

[Lumbergh]

I would like to upgrade the display on a Fluke 88 if the DR80 kit also upgrades the backlight. Does the DR80 kit upgrade the meter to the new style backlight as well?
I would like to know this as well. There are still some 87 retrofit kits out there, if they include the newer style LED backlight that would be a bonus. The 87 display upgrade kits sold by A-Fluke on eBay look nice, is there another source for these or is he the only one who sells them?

[WPTSKI]

I would like to know this as well. There are still some 87 retrofit kits out there, if they include the newer style LED backlight that would be a bonus. The 87 display upgrade kits sold by A-Fluke on eBay look nice, is there another source for these or is he the only one who sells them?
Why not ask A-Fluke? I've dealt with him before when he had a bigger product line. A real good guy too!

[Lumbergh]

Why not ask A-Fluke? I've dealt with him before when he had a bigger product line. A real good guy too!
I have no problem purchasing from him, I was just wondering if there was another source for a particular part. I was looking at the 87 retrofit kit but I don't need a lot of that stuff, I just want to upgrade the display and backlight.

[Lumbergh]

I would like to upgrade the display on a Fluke 88 if the DR80 kit also upgrades the backlight. Does the DR80 kit upgrade the meter to the new style backlight as well?
Just wanted to let everyone know the Fluke DR80 kit includes a LED backlight to replace that ugly yellow-green one. I recently installed the kit in my 87 and it works great.

[WPTSKI]

Just wanted to let everyone know the Fluke DR80 kit includes a LED backlight to replace that ugly yellow-green one. I recently installed the kit in my 87 and it works great.
That's great! :D

[76nemo]

That's news to me, thanks for the update!!!!!

[Lumbergh]

I was wondering, has anyone noticed the backlight turning on and off when you turn the meter on? My 87 turns on all LCD segments and flashes the backlight when I turn it on. Is this normal? otherwise the meter functions properly and is accurate compared to my 87V.

[afpmelguy]

I have good news for you. From what you wrote, the meter is just going through a quick power up test. Your Fluke 87 is just fine. Every functioning original 87 does this quick display test. It does not indicate a problem. If however you had a problem with the display, and wanted to test it, you could power up the meter and hold down on any of the front panel buttons. This will cause the display to freeze and you can see if all the segments are lighting up.

Let me know if you have any other meter related questions. My email address is afpmelguy@gmail.com

[Lumbergh]

Anyone know if parts for the 87 are still available from fluke? If I had to make a guess I'd say no but maby someone out there knows something I don't. It would be nice if I could find a whole meter for parts but I haven't had much luck with that.

[afpmelguy]

Fluke does not sell the parts for the original 87 any more. They stopped, but I do have some parts available in my stock, some new and some used. Contact me if I can be of assistance. My email is afpmelguy@gmail.com