Clock Lights Still Out ***update***

[Bantam]

Can anyone please shine a light on whats going on with my dash bulbs ?

I have taken the dash out and changed all the bulbs these have never worked and the previous owner drove at night with a torch shining on the clocks

When the headlights lights come on the clocks are in darkness ? All the dash switch bulbs illuminate when each is switch pressed they show on the pod but the bulbs needed to illuminate the clocks don't light ?

Thanks for now

Paul

This post has been edited by Bantam on March 22, 2009 10:24 am

[Ciaran]

Check the rheostat, they've been known to go tits up, especially on S2 for some reason.

Sometimes just the act of removing, unplugging, and reconnecting it can spur it into life for a bit.

Ciarán

[Bantam]

Thanks for the reply Ciarán i have now got the car in bits yet again all the dash out for testing....I have hardly no hair left as i've pulled it out.

I have tested the rheostat and that works fine with a restistance check although there is no voltage to it ?
I have checked and double checked the fuse's and voltages across the fuses there fine.

I have removed the dash (PHEEEEEEEW) and taken out the speedo binickle and tested for a voltage up to the bulbs....Nothing ?

The Haynes manual is very general with regard to test points around the circuit diagrams.

I am really stuck now can anyone help anymore maybe with a better diagram,does anyone know anyone that as cured this type of problem ?

I thought about an Auto electrician but they are so exspensive and i consider myself a competent mechanic but this is really anoying me.

Thanks for now the XM will be on the road soon....Ha
See my avatar

[broyty]

Hi Bantam first check fuse 10 in the fusebox then check for power at the rheostat if these test out ok then go for the instrument panel and check pins 10 and 11 on the blue connector.
My gut feeling is a dry solder joint on the instrument panel circuit board where this connector goes,
I hope this helps

cheers
Mick

[Peter.N.]

Hi Paul

I would agree. I have had a number of dry joints on the instrument panel PCB although never one that affected the lights, its always been the instruments that have suffered. Check the connectors on the board, you can sometimes actually see the cracks round the pins.

Peter.N.

[Bantam]

Hi Gang,
Thanks to broyty and Peter for the replies....

Well i have checked the fuse and thats fine there is no voltage across the rheostat and no voltage on pins 10 and 11.

Can we find out which part of the loom feeds the the Blue connector and is there a check point there...Tried to follow this but you get lost in a mass of wires and black wrap.

Keep trying Guys as this is all thats holding me up and stopping me from moving on the the ABS problem. (Another story saved for later)

Thanks for now....Paul

[Bantam]

Just to confirm there is no dry joint as i have managed to manauly power the clock pod at both sides of the blue connector on pins 10 and 11 so the problem is as suspected the feed to the Blue connector this where i'm stuck now....Thanks

[broyty]

hi paul i see your car is a 96 s2 i was looking at the wrong page ( i have the s1 wiring in a s2 wiring folder) it is fuse 11 not 10 that feeds the dash lighting i have just rembered who i lent the s2 wiring book to so i will try to get it back asap to help you out

[Peter.N.]

Check the wire connections to the blue connector. If you can see which pin should have the illumination volts, give the wire a good tug or just try baring a little of it and check for voltage there. I have had o/c connectinons on those plugs.