Technical New Ducato Imala M/Home instrument cluster illumination

[herbiesdad]

no, I didn't actually take a photo because I looked a† the view on the digital screen before I took a photo and the image it showed was really bright with absolutely no shadowing, but I will try again and actually take a pic without the flash on and see what it comes out like.
It will be interesting to see if Watchdog or Vosa pick up on our problem.
I think that once this problem is aired more, a lot more owners of the same vehicle will come out of the woodwork. Probably most of them have thought, as I did at first, that it was just them and not a fault with the van.

 

[gullrock]

Just heard back from VOSA and it doesn't look as though they can/will be much help -

FIAT DUCATO - SPEEDOMETER NOT VISIBLE
I acknowledge receipt of your Vehicle Safety Defect Report.
The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), in conjunction with the relevant
vehicle manufacturer, initiates investigations into reports of the failure of a vehicle
and/or its component systems that are alleged to be attributable to a design or
construction defects.
All investigations are carried out under the terms of a Code of Practice on Vehicle
Safety Defects (the Code) that has the support of UK General Product Safety
Regulations 2005 (as amended). A copy of the Consumer Guide to Vehicle Safety
Defects is enclosed.
The definition of a safety defect as described in the Code, is a failure due to design
and/or construction, which is likely to affect the safe operation of the product without
prior warning to the user and may pose a significant risk to the driver, occupants and
others. This defect will be common to a number of products that have been sold for
use in the United Kingdom . Examples of this would be those which have a
catastrophic affect on control of the vehicle or its occupants such as a complete loss of
steering or sudden out break of fire.
In this instance the speedometer fitted to this vehicle complies with European Whole
Vehicle Type Approval requirements. I note your comments on travelling within speed
limits but consider it should be possible to control a vehicle driven within the prevailing
traffic environment.
As such I do not consider this matter to be one which DVSA can progress within the
terms of the Code. However, I have forwarded your comments to the manufacturer.
Vehicle conformity is the responsibility of the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) and
any concerns regarding this should be addressed to them. Their contact details can be
found through www.gov.uk or a suitable web search facility.
Yours sincerely
John M Corcoran
Automotive Engineer Defects Investigation
Enc: Consumer Guide to Vehicle Safety Defects
D [0117 954 2526]
E [[email protected]]

 

[ecunotemu]

Just heard back from VOSA and it doesn't look as though they can/will be much help -

FIAT DUCATO - SPEEDOMETER NOT VISIBLE
I acknowledge receipt of your Vehicle Safety Defect Report.
The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), in conjunction with the relevant
vehicle manufacturer, initiates investigations into reports of the failure of a vehicle
and/or its component systems that are alleged to be attributable to a design or
construction defects.
All investigations are carried out under the terms of a Code of Practice on Vehicle
Safety Defects (the Code) that has the support of UK General Product Safety
Regulations 2005 (as amended). A copy of the Consumer Guide to Vehicle Safety
Defects is enclosed.
The definition of a safety defect as described in the Code, is a failure due to design
and/or construction, which is likely to affect the safe operation of the product without
prior warning to the user and may pose a significant risk to the driver, occupants and
others. This defect will be common to a number of products that have been sold for
use in the United Kingdom . Examples of this would be those which have a
catastrophic affect on control of the vehicle or its occupants such as a complete loss of
steering or sudden out break of fire.
In this instance the speedometer fitted to this vehicle complies with European Whole
Vehicle Type Approval requirements. I note your comments on travelling within speed
limits but consider it should be possible to control a vehicle driven within the prevailing
traffic environment.
As such I do not consider this matter to be one which DVSA can progress within the
terms of the Code. However, I have forwarded your comments to the manufacturer.
Vehicle conformity is the responsibility of the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) and
any concerns regarding this should be addressed to them. Their contact details can be
found through www.gov.uk or a suitable web search facility.
Yours sincerely
John M Corcoran
Automotive Engineer Defects Investigation
Enc: Consumer Guide to Vehicle Safety Defects
D [0117 954 2526]
E [[email protected]]

Well at least they cant pretend they've never heard of the problem now.

 

[syldale]

I have the same fault with my 4 day old Motorhome and I will be contacting fiat as it is obviously not a one off situation so will post their reply later.

hi sorry to be negative but good luck with that one it will fall on deaf ears knowing fiat a fat lot of good that will do sorry but that's fiat for you

 

[gullrock]

Yes I am now realizing that so am rigging up some small LEDs beside the speedo and that works beautifully, even if it is not the way the Gods at Fiat intended!!!

 

[herbiesdad]

I got exactly the same letter from VOSA. Makes you wonder what these people drive, thats if they actually do drive ! They obviously don't have a clue about the level of concentration thats required when driving a large vehicle on todays roads which is bad enough without having to try and do head aerobics in order to "TRY " and see what speed you are travelling at.
I don't know how many of this model Ducato have been sold in the uk but I bet it runs into many hundreds, its just a pity that more of these owners have not complained about it, or maybe they have but only directly to Fiat who would obviously keep it quiet ! What we need is for someone to start something up on Twitter, I don't do Twitter so I can't do this myself.
Appart from the speedo problem I like this van and would really like to find a solution. Your idea of using the leds seems like a good idea, could you tell me exactly what type and size leds you used and if possible show a photo of them in situ

 

[gullrock]

Like you we love our van too.

I have taken 3 photos of the instrument panel, none are very good but they show a panel of 24 small leds (from China ebay) screwed with one screw to the side of the speedo cowl, it really does illuminate the dial and reflection is not too bad either. They are wired through a piggyback fuse holder (ebay) to one of the live (when ignition on) fuses under the dash. Neg to any body part.

Hope this helps

 

[gullrock]

40+grand and we have to do this???????????????????

 

[herbiesdad]

Like you we love our van too.

I have taken 3 photos of the instrument panel, none are very good but they show a panel of 24 small leds (from China ebay) screwed with one screw to the side of the speedo cowl, it really does illuminate the dial and reflection is not too bad either. They are wired through a piggyback fuse holder (ebay) to one of the live (when ignition on) fuses under the dash. Neg to any body part.

Hope this helps

Thanks for this info,the pics were fine. Like you say £48,000.00 and we have to revert to diy to be able to safely drive it. Grrrrrrr
I will follow your idea and fit the LEDs and hope that Fiat come up with a more permanent solution sometime in the future, but I'm not going to hold my breath till then !!

 

[syldale]

Yes I am now realizing that so am rigging up some small LEDs beside the speedo and that works beautifully, even if it is not the way the Gods at Fiat intended!!!

hi gullrock that's what I like to see a man with good ideas

did fiat manage to sort out ALL the teething problems on the euro 5 . like most of us with the euro 4 have had which you can read on here & elsewhere let us know how you get on cheers

 

[gullrock]

We had a Euro 4 van for 3+years before with no mechanical problems, the only real problem was the failure of the air bags due to a faulty very expensive module. Failed at 37months but Fiat paid all of it! So far our new Euro 5 has not caused any problems apart from those blessed cowl around the instruments that is!

 

[rolopolo]

Just throw this into the fire pit, it's not just fiat,
PSA group (Citroen & Peugeot) also have the same instrument cluster fitted as far as I'm aware
So just arguing with fiat is only half the battle

I would do some homework, gather pictures and info old and new compared, if poss try find out how many current versions are registered on the road, (don't know how, maybe dvla) then get the newpapers involved

Just to add though, being 6ft1" I need seat at full height, (2012 x250) and I can't see the top half of the speedo due to old style top cover, but I agree the new versions look worse

 

[vito115]

My 2015 Pug has got the early cluster

 

[ecunotemu]

My 2015 Pug has got the early cluster

Looking at eper its optional probably goes with the level of trim ordered.

 

[MartinBennett]

I have the same problem with my new Carthago Motorhome. Aten lighting do self adhesive LED strip in lengths from 2.5cm which may work - I have some from a previous Motorhome. I would try it if my van wasn't at the Fiat dealership suffering from an inability to select any gear (Comfortmatic on 2.3l, 150 chassis) after just 198 miles.
The first 197 miles were perfect except unable to read the speedo - I was beginning to think that t was my eyesight - so reassured by this thread. The instrument panel is of less importance than sorting the gears out at the moment!

 

[gullrock]

Sorry to hear of your problems with geers, hope you sort it soon.
I have solved the illumination of the speedo by buying a single white led and a suitable resistor as advised by Maplin as it has to work at up to 14.2 volts and not 12v because of the charging rate which would blow the bulb without the resistor. Cost about £2.50. that assembly I have stuck to the steering wheel cowling with black tape (it hardly shows) and wired it to the fuse box 5amp circuit that becomes live with ignition on using a "piggy back" fuse holder.

 

[MartinBennett]

Sorry to hear of your problems with geers, hope you sort it soon.
I have solved the illumination of the speedo by buying a single white led and a suitable resistor as advised by Maplin as it has to work at up to 14.2 volts and not 12v because of the charging rate which would blow the bulb without the resistor. Cost about £2.50. that assembly I have stuck to the steering wheel cowling with black tape (it hardly shows) and wired it to the fuse box 5amp circuit that becomes live with ignition on using a "piggy back" fuse holder.

Thanks - I'll try something similar - once we get the van to move! As it is I'm pretty confident the speed is 0 mph regardless of the illumination;-)

 

[JCT]

I now live in Australia and have had a euro 5 Ducato motorhome for the last 3+years.
Because I found it hard to see the speedo I acquired a HUD ( head up display) which plugs into the cigar lighter and displays the speed on the windscreen. It works on a GPS system.
I find it so good I now have one in my car and have bought another 4 for family members.
It can also be set to give an alarm if exceeding the speed set. There are various types available and a search on the web will give suppliers and costings.
Obviously I think they are worth the, in my mind reasonable cost.

 

[camoyboy]

According to the AOL website FIAT have agreed this is a problem and have come up with a fix. It doesn't say what the fix is, apart from to see the February MMM mag.
Picking up our new Carthago next week so will wait and see.

 

[gullrock]

Well.... Good luck but I don't think I shall be holding my breath!!!!!! Hope you are right though please keep us informed later on. Regards