Hi, I'm new to Fiat Forum. I just hope I'm doing this correctly.


I have a Panda 1.2 Dynamic Eco: October 2010. The dashboard LED display showing the clock, headlight level and various mileages, fuel consumption etc has suddenly become very dim (it is not a version with dimmable dashlights). The unit is still operating correctly.


Is this a problem with the computer, the LED unit or is there a light which has stopped working? If it is the unit, can it be replaced or must I buy a whole new dashboard?

I believe I remember reading in the Haynes manual that the instrument clusters are sealed, so I'm not sure you can officially replace any bulbs/LEDs. If the cluster is the issue it can be quite easily removed. 4 screws in the surround, 3 around the cluster itself once you've got the surround off. I am not sure if another one is just plug and play however.

Might be worth taking it out anyway to reseat the connectors, which could be the issue.

I have the same model and year, I must admit I hadn't realised the display was not dimmable, I have just gone out to check, I assumed all cars had it, this is the first car I have owned without this.
Is it just the small mileage/consumption display or is the complete display speedo etc gone dim too?

short answer I don't know. I have never taken the dash out


even worse the official instructions aren't much help http://4cardata.info/elearn/169/2/2009000/2000900/2001393/2751458



the LCD has two brightness. Lights on, lights off. Are they both dim ?

are any other dash lights not working. Heater controls, gauge, temperature gauge and so on with the lights on ?


most are fused next to the body computer. Worth check all on here

Thanks for your replies.


It's only the mileage/consumption display that's gone dim. I have taken the cluster out and removed the rear cover. To get the printed circuit board out I need to take off the clear front cover, so I can remove the speedo and rev counter needles. I'm concerned that the clips will break and I'll be into a whole new cluster. Any ideas how I can ensure they won't break?

ThomW said:

Any ideas how I can ensure they won't break?

Click to expand...

Make sure the plastic isn't cold I guess, if you warm it up it's probably less likely to snap.

RayovacWorkhorse said:

Make sure the plastic isn't cold I guess, if you warm it up it's probably less likely to snap.

Click to expand...

This
If you can live with it a few weeks I'd do that until we get a day with 14c +

Yup, good technique I find with cold plastic is to put it about a foot away from a space heater on low heat, 30 mins and it'll warm it up, make sure it isn't too hot though! That or just wait for a warm-ish day and leave the car in the sun.

you can't just replace the clocks a proximity alignment will have to be done afterwards. Mileage can only be increased for obvious reasons


It may be possible to change just the LCD over. I don't know.


before taking the LCD out you need to make sure the backlight is receiving the voltage to activate. I would be silly to risk breaking a clip and the fault wasn't here.

Another option is to fit a replacement display. Basic version are pretty cheap and they can be reset to zero allowing the body computer mileage display to be shown.

If the display shows a lower mileage display than your car, then happy days, plug it in and do the proxy alignment. If the display has higher miles than your car it has to be reset. This is not illegal as the car's body computer shows the actual miles your car has done. But it does need specialist help so best to find a lower miles unit.

We'll live with it until we get some warmer weather and then see how we get on.

Thanks for all the advice guys!

looks like the LED back lights are soldered directly onto the PCB

the LCD its self is an easy swap


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-aNHfOUP3I