Technical Stilo Instrument Cluster Blanking Out

[eeimrnn]

Hi,

I just bought a used Stilo 1.2 Dynamic (5 door - 2002 model) and I am very happy with it. However I noticed that the trip computer on the console blanks out intermittently. Not often, but enough to bug the hell out of me. I went to the dealer here in Dublin (Ambrose Glass) and he told that it would be 75 euro to examine it (as he uses some electronic equipment to do so blah blah blah......BS in my opinion) and it would more than likely need a whole new console (around 350 euro plus labour!!).

Any advise here on what I can do would be very much appreciated. Could it just be loose wiring?
Also inner edge of front tyres are worn quite a bit but I guess this can be easily fixed by a wheel tracking specialist (ie kwikfit etc.)

Thanks again/
Ronan

 

[Rich]

Re: Fiat Stilo Trip computer blanking out

Hey Ronan

Welcome to the forum :wave:

With the trip computer, what do you mean by "blanking out"? Does the screen just go, or do you get -----'s. Does the time, mileage and "CITY" indicator remain on??

 

[eeimrnn]

Re: Fiat Stilo Trip computer blanking out

Hi,

Thanks for the reply and the welcome..

Yes it's the screen just blanking out from time to time....like there was a loose connection or something. It literally just turns on and off at will and sometimes just fades and blinks.

BR/
Ronan

 

[Rich]

Re: Fiat Stilo Trip computer blanking out

Ok, in that case it's not a trip computer fault, but a dashboard fault (I'll edit the thread title).

So when it all starts blanking out, is it JUST the centre display that goes? Do the dials stay up?

 

[eeimrnn]

Hi Rich,

Yes it's just the central digital display which goes. Everything else as far as I can see is fine. Lights, Dials, Radio, basically all electrics. The digital display would just completetly blank (ie. mileage, time, everything) but the background light in the display would stay on. Only the text/characters wil blank out intermittently.

BR/
Ronan

 

[alexGS]

rroope - now the thread title would need changing back again

Hi Ronan!

I think your description is spot-on, it sounds like a loose connection to the LCD if the backlight is staying on and at other times the functions work normally. I'm guessing that it's an orange two-line custom matrix-style LCD? (as opposed to the 'Reconfigurable Multifunction Display' that the Abarth has).

If you're game to take it apart yourself, I think you'll find that the LCD glass panel connects to the circuit board by grey/black striped conductive rubber connectors under compression (known as 'Zebra Strips' in the industry). Often any problems are the result of a single sliver of plastic (or even blob of solder etc.) disturbing the contact, or possibly a cracked casing/fastener at the worst.

Generally if you carefully wipe the strips with a lint-free cloth, and clean the circuit board with some electrical contact cleaner, and reassemble, then there's a good chance of success.

A dealer will probably just replace part of the instrument cluster, at huge cost...

I used to work with an electronics engineering company, and we made a digital measuring wheel that depended on a large custom LCD. We assembled over 1500 at our 'factory' (production line of about six skilled workers!) and the LCD (with its zebra stripes) was probably the most reliable item - 99% worked perfectly, the remaining 1% had connection issues that knocked the whole display out! This is despite having about 100 connections per LCD. It only takes something small to un-seat the connection and that's it...

It is of course possible that FIAT/Visteon will use some other type of LCD connection (pins crimped to the glass?) but based on cost and what I've seen in previous FIATs (the Tipo) I think they'll have the Zebra strips in there.

Cheers,
-Alex

 

[eeimrnn]

Hi Alex,

Thanks a mill for the reply and the good advice. Yes it is as you describe the orange two line LCD display I have. Based on what you've said I think I could try and carefully clean the wire strips and circuit board and see if there is anything loose. You're talking to an amateur here and I only bought the car last week so excuse the silly question but the circuit board is where exactly in the car? To the right of the steering wheel in that box of wiring? (or to the left if you are left hand drive I guess).

Thanks again
Ronan

 

[alexGS]

I'd expect it to be directly behind the LCD itself. The strips I talked about are pressed against the LCD by the circuit board (if it has them).

So the instrument cluster needs to come out - usually this is relatively straightforward as at some point in the car's life the panel bulbs would need replacing, thus it is designed with removal in mind. Look for screws underneath the top 'hood' and often behind trim at the base of the instruments. I haven't attacked my Stilo yet, so can't offer anything specific - sorry!

-Alex

 

[NanoSi]

Im sure the ultimate stilo guru rroope will be able to help on this one

Si :slayer:

 

[eeimrnn]

appreciate ur help here Alex/Si...thanks again

 

[Rich]

Im sure the ultimate stilo guru rroope will be able to help on this one

Si :slayer:

Aww you're all so nice to me

Ronan,

It sounds like the connector strip from the instrument cluster mainboard to the LCD. This is a common fault with mobile phones, so might have gone on yours. What you need to do is remove the instrument cluster:

To remove the instrument cluster, proceed as follows:

1. Remove the 3 Torx screws on the lower steering wheel shroud, unclip the lower shroud from the top shroud and remove (it is made much easier by pulling the steering column fully out, and leaving the adjustment lever loose to be moved around whilst removing the shroud).
2. Remove the 2 Torx screws keeping the upper shroud on; they are high up towards the column stalks. Remove the shroud.
3. Remove the 2 Pozidrive screws securing the bottom of the instrument panel on. Remove the cloth trim that covers the gap when the steering column is at its extremist positions.
4. Remove the 2 Torx screws securing the top of the instrument cluster in place, on the lip of the dashboard.
5. Adjust the steering column so it is at its most out and lowest position; lock it in place.
6. Carefully pull the black trim “blade” at the top of the instrument cluster and use it to lever out the cluster; when you can, undo the connector at the back by pushing in the tab and pushing the red lever to the other side.
7. Manoeuvre the instrument cluster away from the dash, paying particular attention to the bottom lugs and the wiring on the steering column.

Then, use a flat knife (or similar) to remove the front and back casings (they are held on by lugs all around the display). Now, you'll be able to gain access to the display WITHOUT removing the needles; please don't attempt this, it's practically impossible to remove and refit them without damaging the servo motors and ruining your display!

Just see if you can then remove the lcd, clean it's contacts on the grey rubbery contact strip, then reassemble.

Let us know!

 

[NanoSi]

See, told u so! the mans a genuis!

Si :slayer:

 

[Rich]

rroope - now the thread title would need changing back again

how come? It's still the LCD display at fault, nothing to do with the trip computer (which is a program in the Body Computer!!)

See, told u so! the mans a genuis!

Si :slayer:

Well I do try

 

[NanoSi]

fine line between genius and insanity though they say :worship:

Si :slayer:

 

[Rich]

Ah, a line I have crossed many a time

 

[NanoSi]

Ah, a line I have crossed many a time

Join the club

Si :slayer:

 

[eeimrnn]

Will get the toolbox out this wknd and give it a go. What a fantastic forum you dudes have here is all I can say. Great been able to speak with someone who actually knows their stuff and can impart that knowledge for the good of everyone else....obvious point I know, especially on the net but congradulations and thanks once again......I will let you know next week if I've fixed the problem or destroyed the car!

I figure these Fiat stilos are a very under rated car indeed. I had a brand new 1.6 focus zetec hatch with just 8,000 miles which recently got stolen and I am almost embarrassed to say that while the stilo might not have the same driving dynamics or handling as the focus, it is far more comfortable, better equipped and although the engine is a 1.2, it is silkier and smoother than the focus. I guess the zetec suspension is not such a good idea on Irish roads! But I was very surprised how good the stilo actually is....I picked a 02 dynamic model up with everything on it including skyroof and all for under 8 thousand euro which is good here.....My new focus cost me 22,500 euros last year! I'm kinda glad it got robbed!

chat soon...

 

[NanoSi]

Another satisfied customer! lol

Si :slayer:

 

[Rich]

Another satisfied customer! lol

Si :slayer:

Yay, we made someone happy, go us!!

 

[carlmiddleditch]

Hi
This forum has really helped my problem with my instrument cluster, so here was my soloution. My instruments started to go crazy and die for periods of a few seconds to hours and then it completly died a week before my mot! Fortunately my brother-in-law has car tuning and diagnostic garage he plug his comp into my car which told us the obvious - the dash did not work - that did however eliminate other problems though like power supply etc... A call to my local fiat garage informed me that a replacement would be nearly £500!!! (fitted about £350 for the part) I could not afford this so I located a number of replacements on salvage websites ranging from £52 incl postage to about £80. I removed mine, fiddly but you can do it in under 15mins and fitted the 2nd hand one which worked straight away. ( There is only one plug/connector in the back of the instrument cluster) The car passed the mot with the new instrument cluster. One thing you will have to do if you want to resell you car is get the instrument 'proxy alligned' so the instrument cluster will display the correct milage for your car as a 2nd hand dash will display its original cars milage. I hope this helps.

Carl