Technical Ducato - digital part of dashboard intermittent

[iansl]

Hi all,

I have a 2014 230 Multijet and sometimes (usually after a period of no use) the LCD display on the dash that shows the mileage doesn't show anything even though the backlight to it is on. Usually, after regular use it comes back to life but only after turning the ignition off and back on. At the moment, it has not been used for a couple of months and the MOT is due in a couple of weeks and there is no mileage for the tester to see even though I have been using it to get to work and back the last couple of days.

Any ideas where to begin looking to fix this?

(ignore the airbag light - that is another problem I am trying to resolve before the MOT!)

Thanks everyone.

 

[Anthony489]

Hi iansl

I don't think you actually need a working odometer to pass the MOT, not saying you shouldn't fix it but it might give you more time. The LCD and its driver circuit are beyond normal DIY repair, you could talk to someone like Cartronix in Portsmouth.

The Airbag light does need to be attended to though. If a fault code reset doesn't do the trick then unfortunately its likely to need the Airbag ECU repaired or replaced. Whilst disconnected you could check that all the connectors are OK, including the seat occupancy ones which are vulnerable to things being stored under the seats. Again, worth asking Cartronix.

 

[rayc]

For air bag module repair I can recommend Northern Auto Tech. http://www.northernautotech.co.uk/

 

[iansl]

Hi Anthony, im sure you are correct that the reading isnt needed for an MOT pass. In fact the person I bought it from has the mileage recorded as 00000 for the last MOT as he had the same problem at the time.

I think I was a little unclear in my first post though. Throughout the summer, on the whole it worked but on a couple of journeys it would be off. Then on the next leg of the journey it would be on. On no occasion if it was off would it turn on mid way through the same journey.

I have searched several forums and it doesn't seem to be a common fault.

I will try a hairdryer directed behind the dash next.

Thanks for the airbag info. The Northern Auto Tech sound on the face of things to be cheaper than Crashdata but I notice it says "From" £30 and they hold your ECU hostage until you pay up the remainder to repair it so I dont know what the total is likely to be. I'll maybe give them a call for a chat but I think I need a garage to tell me the error codes first.

 

[rayc]

If you can get to Morecambe they will test the airbag module on the vehicle, remove it for repair, refit it and final test. It cost me £180 in total as there were two faults.
This is their ebay listing https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/26521451...rentrq:4ea40edb17e0a7b8d9a5fb98ffd4ba9a|iid:1

 

[iansl]

Hi all, just to let you know I got the instrument panel working last night. How long it remains working is yet to be seen.

It may not be the final thing on this list that fixed the problem as the earlier things may have contributed to it working...

• Had a fan heater blowing in the general direction of the dash for a couple of hours
• Drove it to work for three days, with heater on full
• Used a hairdryer under dash and through a gap above the steering wheel for several minutes
• Took plastic lid off the top off the instrument cover as per . It takes a lot of upwards force with the heels of the hands under the front lip after removing the two screws that you can only see by looking underneath. Then disconnected battery earth, disconnected connector at back of instrument panel, reconnected connector, reconnected battery, ran engine, stopped engine and then it worked when I opened the door.

Now on to the next problem - the airbag light!

 

[Anthony489]

Hi. It sounds as though you are at least getting closer to the source of the problem. The fact that the entire display is either showing or not showing suggests that it is a common contact or ground that's intermittent, rather than for example a PCB track or part of a ribbon connector leading to a single display segment. I wouldn't be surprised if Fiat buy in the entire dashboard from someone like Valeo, so if you took it to a dealer their only option would be to swap out the whole lot, which would be £££ if not still under warranty.

 

[iansl]

Its a converted 2014 builders van so the warranty is long gone. Heaven knows what the van has been through - it looks like its seen some action!

Thanks for your thoughts, it would be good to solve it permanently. I am not convinced that it will be long before it goes off again but am a bit of a loss as to what to do to prevent it happening again. If you have any further thoughts I would appreciate it.

I have some dehumidifiers on order and may run the van more frequently.

 

[iansl]

I spoke too soon. Its not working again today, even after unplugging it again repeatedly. :-(

 

[Anthony489]

Hi. That would tend to suggest that the fault is within the cluster. A cracked PCB track or a poor/cracked solder joint would be temperature sensitive, the slightest thermal expansion causing contact to be made or broken. The "traditional" cure is to thump it - but don't go too mad.

 

[Anthony489]

Just to add, this video gives an idea of what's inside:

Fiat Ducato Speedometer LCD repair - YouTube

This is the company, might be worth talking to them: http://www.akspeedo.com/

Your problem could be as simple as a poor contact where the multi-way ribbon cable from the display module enters the socket on the main PCB and is held in place with a flimsy looking little plastic wedge.

BTW I haven't used this company personally.

 

[iansl]

Hi Anthony, coincidently I also found that company via a Youtube video and my instrument panel is heading to them this week. I took it inside first and warmed it gently on a radiator but it still didnt work so I dont know what the pattern is any more. From speaking with about four repair specialists last week, they all seemed to be in agreement that it needs a replacement LCD so I am taking the plunge.

Thanks for your help. I will report back with how I got on, hopefully towards the end of the week if I have it back by then.

 

[iansl]

Hi all,

I now have a working digital display thanks to AK Speedo.

AK Speedo were less than half the price (£120) of Cartronix to repair the LCD however there are some caveats. AK Speedo told me in advance that the LCD's they currently had is stock are a slight variation on the original equipment and are missing some elements of the bottom line of display. For the saving this suited me better but may not be for everyone. I am also not sure if Cartronix's price may be a full refurb including LED's so this is not a criticism in any way of the service they offer, its just I also have an airbag light to resolve too that is looking like it may cost me a further £360 to resolve so I decided to take the cheaper route.

My LCD now correctly displays the mileage (my main reason for replacement), the menu system etc. that all displays on the top and middle lines. The clock displays on the bottom line and is missing the leading digit which now has a frost symbol in its place.

AK Speedo were completely upfront about this before I went ahead, sent me a picture of what I was going to get and provided an excellent service. I mailed it on Monday and received it back on Friday.