Technical 59 Plate Ducato Dash Failure

[IhatemyDucato]

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and I could really do with some help.

The dash on my 59 plate Ducato MoHo is playing up. The analogue clocks - speedo, fuel & temp gauges, and rev counter - intermittently stop working whilst driving for no apparent reason. A few miles later, they kick back in and then they fail again. Maddening!

I've removed, checked, cleaned and replaced ALL the fuses (cabin and under the bonnet) and the problem is still there. I sent the instrument cluster to Cartronix, and they report no faults.

I'm at my wits ends. Any suggestions?

Andy

 

[AsdaPricey]

Hello @IhatemyDucato
Firstly - cracking user name !!

Ok - you’ve checked fuses and the cluster has been checked which is a common fault.
Did you replace the fuse in case there is a hairline break that only manifests when passing current?

Has any other work taken place on the vehicle just prior to the fault?

Have you read any fault codes created as a result of the intermittent fault? This may guide you to see what stops communication with what…

As it happens whilst moving, could it be a broken wire that becomes open circuit due to engine movement/road vibration?
I would sit a helper at the wheel with engine running to monitor the gauges whilst you wiggle the under bonnet loom that goes from ecu and fuse box and the same with the loom from the under-dash fuse box to see if you can emulate the fault.

Thorough checking of powers and grounds is a must in any electrical fault tracing - it will need access to wiring diagrams which can be viewed from this forum - once your happy there are good power and earth paths(including from that stupid flat braided earth lead under the bonnet) to the cluster and no breaks in the wires or corroded/tarnished connections at fuse boxes or ecu, then you can move onto considering if there are faults within the ecu…

HTH

 

[IhatemyDucato]

Thanks for responding AsdaPricey.

Did a visual check on the fuses. Couldn't see anything obvious. Made sure the blades were clean & lubed before I put the fuses back.

The cluster is enroute back from Cartronix. Once I've reinstalled it, I'll revisit the fuses. Read in a thread on this forum that fuse 7 (or 27 - Need to reread the thread) is implicated in various dash issues. I'll change the offending item and see what happens.

Then it's your suggestion regarding the wiring harnesses. I'll also clean up all the earth's I can find.

The van has been a 'mare for the last 2 years. First, I had to have the panoramic roof replaced (ouch!) then last year I had to have the EGR valve and all 4 injectors replaced (even oucher!). Then, the first time I used the van after that, this chuffing dash issue arose.

THAT'S why I chose my username!

Cheers

Andy

 

[Communicator]

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and I could really do with some help.

The dash on my 59 plate Ducato MoHo is playing up. The analogue clocks - speedo, fuel & temp gauges, and rev counter - intermittently stop working whilst driving for no apparent reason. A few miles later, they kick back in and then they fail again. Maddening!

I've removed, checked, cleaned and replaced ALL the fuses (cabin and under the bonnet) and the problem is still there. I sent the instrument cluster to Cartronix, and they report no faults.

I'm at my wits ends. Any suggestions?

Andy

I never bother about what is on a registration plate, so when a description "59" plate is quoted, I have to start counting on my fingers to figure out what it means. I think that what you have is a 2009 registered Ducato, so most probably an x250 model. As alluded to by @AsdaPricey the braided engine block earth strap is a regular source of problems on x250 and later models. These straps can appear to be OK when seriously corroded internally. Worth replacing if not replaced recently.

The inputs for the analogue indications on x250 and later models are in the form of digital messages on the canbus, and as I read the description of the fault, all analogue indications fail together. The canbus is a common factor. When reinstalling the instrument panel, you could do worse than apply contact cleaner the connector., but do be aware that the fault could be elsewhere.

My earlier x244 does not have a canbus network, but after a lifetime of working with electronic systems, I only became an advocate of contact cleaner when I used if to cure an emerging key code problem (padlock symbol) on my vehicle. Also my son has recently used contact cleaner to cure an elusive computer RAM problem on his PC, where the contacts are gold plated to prevent such problems.

 

[IhatemyDucato]

I never bother about what is on a registration plate, so when a description "59" plate is quoted, I have to start counting on my fingers to figure out what it means. I think that what you have is a 2009 registered Ducato, so most probably an x250 model. As alluded to by @AsdaPricey the braided engine block earth strap is a regular source of problems on x250 and later models. These straps can appear to be OK when seriously corroded internally. Worth replacing if not replaced recently.

The inputs for the analogue indications on x250 and later models are in the form of digital messages on the canbus, and as I read the description of the fault, all analogue indications fail together. The canbus is a common factor. When reinstalling the instrument panel, you could do worse than apply contact cleaner the connector., but do be aware that the fault could be elsewhere.

My earlier x244 does not have a canbus network, but after a lifetime of working with electronic systems, I only became an advocate of contact cleaner when I used if to cure an emerging key code problem (padlock symbol) on my vehicle. Also my son has recently used contact cleaner to cure an elusive computer RAM problem on his PC, where the contacts are gold plated to prevent such problems.

Thanks for responding Communicator

According to the V5, it was registered on 1/10/2009.

The model is listed as:
DUCATO 35 130 M-JET LWB
And the VIN starts ZFA250 etc

Does that indicate it's a 250?

Once I've got the van home, I'll have shufty at that earth strap. Probably change it anyway. Even if it doesn't sort the problem, I'll have eliminated one of the possible causes.

I used contact cleaner when I checked the fuses and I'll use it when I reconnect the instrument panel harness. Think I'll do the same with all the harness connectors I can get at!

Cheers

Andy

 

[Communicator]

Thanks for responding Communicator

According to the V5, it was registered on 1/10/2009.

The model is listed as:
DUCATO 35 130 M-JET LWB
And the VIN starts ZFA250 etc

Does that indicate it's a 250?

Once I've got the van home, I'll have shufty at that earth strap. Probably change it anyway. Even if it doesn't sort the problem, I'll have eliminated one of the possible causes.

I used contact cleaner when I checked the fuses and I'll use it when I reconnect the instrument panel harness. Think I'll do the same with all the harness connectors I can get at!

Cheers

Andy

Yes, good luck!