Technical Instrument Cluster backlight

[bertiebumblebee]

Hi everyone,

The orange backlight on my instrument cluster mileage display has decided to stay on (or flash) when the car is parked. I presume this will drain the battery and probably get worse.

So - if anyone can help

Am I correct in thinking this will be condensation getting in somewhere . If so can I dry it out. (Careful hairdryer use maybe) and then waterproof it somehow

If cluster is in it final days of life should I send for repair or source a replacement from a breakers ( doing proxi alignment wont be a problem )

Anyone got a recommendation for a good repair centre.

Finally is it easy to remove cluster from dashboard.

Sorry for all the questions but help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

The car is stilo 1.9JTD 2004

 

[Yorkshire007]

There's a lad on eBay who fixes them for a fee.

 

[Ralf S.]

First of all, remove the cluster.

It's held on with a couple of screws .. but then you have to release it by pressing in a couple of tabs. From memory they're about 2" in from each end, on the bottom of the cluster... you can slide a thin kitchen knife under the unit and then lift it to raise the tab enough to ease it over the step.

The unit has some connector blocks attached to teh back but you'll have enough space and slack wire to disconnect those.. but the unit is a real MoFo to get out of the binnacle. You need to completely lower the steering column and then ease the unit out. I think it *just* fits between the wheel and the dashboard.

If it's got condensation you can dry it out and then plug it back in without actually re-fitting it to see if that works.

If the beast is still mucking about then it could be in the need of a refurbish. I would tap up YellowStilo - he's a Dutch member on here to see what he thinks but it sounds like he could fix it. You just need to post the unit to Holland, which isn't as severe as it sounds. You won't need to re-align it etc. if you repair your old unit.

If the light staying on becomes a problem in the meantime, you can remove the fuse (F53/F32 rings a bell) to disable the instruments altogether, for when you park at least.



Ralf S.