Lost Instrument Backlights

[rowanmoor]

I've lost my instrument cluster backlights. Bit of a pin when it is dark. The odd thing is the lights in the backlights in the alarm and cruise buttons come on, but none of the rest of the button or dash illumination lights come on (except the seat movement and drivers window switch which may be on a different circuit). I've tried moving the dimmer wheel and it has no effect.

Has anyone had a similar problem before? Why would 2 bulbs come on and none of the others? I cannot find the wiring diagram for this part yet but I assume everything is in parallel, so a bulb going would not kill the whole lot. Is there a single point of failure that does not affect those 2 buttons?

My first port of call will be testing the dimmer with a tester, but is there another common fault point to check.

Cheers,
Rowan.

[xmexclusive]

Hi Rowan

I found that when I stripped a 2.5 the alarm and cruise buttons/lights are on a separate branch of the wiring loom that loops round the back of the heater box in the dash. All the other switch wires go across the front of the dash above the heater box. I would not be surprised to find that they are on separate fuses.

Regards

XMexc

[rowanmoor]

Thanks - that explains that then (and a possible way out if it is a broken wire somewhere inaccessible).

I will test the dimmer wheel for continuity and power first and take it from there.

[Ciaran]

I had a loss of dash lighting a while back, and it turned out to be the dimmer switch. I never did get to the bottom of it, as I had to remove the switch and other trim to fix something else, and when it was put back in it mysteriously worked.... but has now gone again (stuck on one brightness setting), so I'm going to replace it with the spare from that '90 S1 I have.

[rowanmoor]

Just been out with my tester and tracked it down to fuse 10. Unfortunately, replacing it and then turning the lights on was greeted with a quick squeak from the lights on buzzer (is on the same fuse and I had the door open) followed by a smell of burnt fuse. I guess I have a short somewhere.

Unfortunately according to the maintenance manual (though it differs from my handbook) the sidelights and rear number plate illumination are also driven from this fuse - good job it is light when I drive to and from work at the moment.

Luckily I know that it started about the same time I pulled the radio out the other day (testing a second hand CD Changer). I guess I trapped a wire to the lights in one of the switches down there. I will have to track it down and repair it when I fit the changer at the weekend.

Speaking of which, where are the holes in the bottom of the seats that the CD changer cradle bolts onto? I am thinking of improvising and bolting something in there to screw the changer onto.

Cheers,
Rowan.

[xmexclusive]

Hi Rowan

There are 2 screws, one each side at the outer edges to the front of the underside of the drivers seat frame. These screws hold the front supports for the seat plastic side trims in place. A flat metal plate with holes to match the screw positions is then made up and fitted with the side supports for the CD player.
The plate needs to be 470mm x 100mm, the screw holes 418mm apart set back 30mm from the front edge. The 4 corners of the plate need cutting off to suit the shape of the seat base and a couple of cut-outs in the front edge to get at the seat cushion clips are advisable. I have a paper pattern for the plate but have so far failed miserably in uploading it to the web site.
I will photocopy and post to you if you want.

Regards

XMexc

This post has been edited by xmexclusive on March 26, 2007 11:57 pm

[rowanmoor]

Thanks XMexc, I should be able to make something up from that description.