General digital odometer probs

[superscudo]

now then, got problems with the milometer on the dashboard of my '02' scudo. Sometimes it reads o.k. then other times some of the numbers will either not be there at all or only partially there!!! i'm sort of keeping tabs on the mileage as i go along but as the MOT is approaching fairly soon i wondered if this will cause problems when the tester has to log the mileage if its on the blink at the time??
this seems to be a fairly common fault on these vans (along with the bloody door locks) but wondered if anyone had any advice on how to cure it??
any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. many thanks in advance......

 

[LNZ]

it will pass an MOT and if the mileage is not visible it will have MILEAGE UNKNOWN on your MOT certificate.

 

[Stumpi]

Have the same issue, aparrently, its the buld behind, quite a simple change they say, but don't they always lol.

 

[superscudo]

thanx stumpi...the bulb you say?? its not the illumination of the dash i have trouble with, its the actual numbers (l.e.d's i assume) on the milometer.
are these l.e.d. units suspect or is it perhaps a dodgy contact or loom problem??? LNZ mentioned in an earlier reply that the MOT shouldn't be a problem but its just a bit frustrating that every time i use the van i'm wondering what sort of a display i'll get. should i be learning hierogliphics??:chin: :chin: any one else out there had/got this trouble and have any suggestions/advice?? thanks...............

 

[mick_r]

It was the bulb on my 1999 Scudo - The digits are still there but need to be backlit to be visible!

Remove all visible torx screws holding instrument cluster / air vent surround. But there is also one more hidden screw coming up from underneath - need to remove steering column shroud to get to it. Bulbs just unscrew from behind.

I just swapped it with one bulb from behind the clock and replaced without the hidden screw for easy access later.

 

[superscudo]

O.K. thanks for that. guess i'm gonna have to do a bit of delving around behind the dash then!! its just finding a bit of spare time to do it. Any idea roughly how long it should take me to get the clocks out?? thanks.....

 

[superscudo]

hi there everyone, finally got around to taking a look at my dash to solve my odometer problem.
it had been suggested earlier that the "backlight bulb" was the problem, however this is not the case. Have taken the dash out and checked all these and they're all fine. will take a foto and post it a little later on to show the problem i'm having and maybe some one will have some suggestios as to how to cure it. thanks, Superscudo.

 

[superscudo]

took a photo of the dash showing the problem, the problem i have now is getting it on here to show you all... must be doing summat wrong cos i can't get it to upload.....

 

[superscudo]

lets see if this has done it???

 

[superscudo]

believe it or not, this reads 110385 miles.... anybody seen this problem before?? any help/advice would be appreciated. many thanks Superscudo.

 

[kellys_eye]

Obviously connections between the LCD and the circuit board.

Commonly they use a connector called 'zebra strip' - it's an alternation of conducting/nonconducting rubber strips laid side by side. The intention is to allow connections on the PCB to mate with the ones on the LCD and even to allow for 'some' misalignment.

The contact relies on reasonably good pressure (as well as clean contact surfaces) and oxidation/loss of pressure frequently causes segments to remain unlit.

It's a 'careful' task to disassemble the zebra strip/LCD and clean the contact surfaces (a wipe with clean white paper is enough). Reassembly will hopefully show a result.

Not for the feint-hearted but a nothing-to-lose situation calls for nothing less than an attempt!

 

[superscudo]

well, in for a penny and all that eh?? will get my adventurous head on and give it a go when the opportunity arises. will let you know how i get on.....

 

[slimfastjohn]

I can hardly read my odometer! It's like a calculator screen. The numbers are always there, and it seems to work as normal, but it doesn't illuminate when I turn the lights on and is difficult to see even in daylight. Any ideas???? Thanks in advance.
john

 

[kellys_eye]

Have you read all the posts above?

If it's not the back-lighting bulb (most commonly) then the LCD is dodgy.

 

[slimfastjohn]

Thanks er.. Kellys eye?? =]

 

[Good Evans]

did anyone have any luck on this, i have virtually the same problem, all i see is the last 2 digits show up,