No instrument indicator / warning lamps except altenator

[TwoHundredTeeDeeEue]

Morning - got a weird issue on my 93' D1 200TDI. Been sat for a month or so whilst I was replacing the t-case.

All back in and went to start up - only getting the alternator charge lamp and low fuel orange lamp illuminating on ignition.

Handbrake warning, glow plug active, indicators (including hazards and the red hazard button lamp on steering column), main beam warning and flash all not working.

All of the lights are working, hazards, indicators, main beam, etc. Gauges are all good. Even the instrument back lights are working.

Bit stumped. Checked the fuses in the panel under steering column - all seem fine.

Doubted it's related to the t-box swap, unless something bizarre happens with the difflock on lamp switch if I've got the connectors on the wrong way, seems unlikely! Might try swapping them around but I assume it's just an open/closed circuit on there so polarity doesn't matter.

Any suggestions where to start? I'll pull the instrument panel out next but not sure if there's anything field serviceable on them. Replaced most of the lamps with LEDs some years ago and it's unlikely they've all packed up at the same time.

 

[marjon]

I take it you have "no crank" aswell?

You did replace the big earth strap, there is usually 1 from Tbox to chassis.

J

 

[TwoHundredTeeDeeEue]

I take it you have "no crank" aswell?

You did replace the big earth strap, there is usually 1 from Tbox to chassis.

J

Morning - it starts and runs just fine, essentially everything seems to be functional except the dash lamps - if it didn't have the MOT due in a few weeks I'd happily drive it around as is for a while

 

[lynall]

I would pop the dash and disconnect and reconnect every connector you can get to, weird things can happen to electrics if left standing.

 

[TwoHundredTeeDeeEue]

I would pop the dash and disconnect and reconnect every connector you can get to, weird things can happen to electrics if left standing.

I'll give that a go, I remember they are those old skool connectors that slide over the printed circuits so they could have got some scale on them. Might explain why some of the bits are working if on the other connector. Thanks

 

[TwoHundredTeeDeeEue]

Took instrument cluster out. Cleaned the unit contacts with alcohol and cleaned the connectors with a needle file and some more alcohol. Doesn't seem to have helped, got the same issue. Is it possible to test the unit by feeding 12v to the different copper circuit lines, just to see if the lamps function? I can probably work out what goes where from a wiring diagram.

 

[Shedload]

I'm not sure you can put 12v through the Disco' circuit board without possible damage ?
The later models are set up for 5Volts I believe.
Check earths and connections for security and damage.

 

[TwoHundredTeeDeeEue]

I'm not sure you can put 12v through the Disco' circuit board without possible damage ?
The later models are set up for 5Volts I believe.
Check earths and connections for security and damage.

That's something I was wondering. I've used a test and polarity probe and it appears the signals and voltage are reaching the cluster so I have to assume it's the cluster that's gone awry. Ordered a used one so I'm hoping for a plug and play result but will report back once it's arrived!

 

[TwoHundredTeeDeeEue]

Replacement cluster is all good. It's in decent condition too, bit upset it's only got 153k miles on it. Mines up to 225k (and the rest of the vehicle definitely reflects that) so I was looking forward to making 250k one day might see how easy it is to advance the new one or just put a sticker on the dash of when it was replaced if it looks like a pain.
Not sure what could have failed on the original one though, seems a pretty simple unit. Anyone repair these? Seems a shame to chuck it, reckon they'll start getting rare one day...

 

[Shedload]

If you really want to advance the miles, practice on the old one. You may end up with digits misaligned, then all who look will think you have tried to turn it back ?
Could be you have dry joint or two in the solder, it may well be an easy fix, if you know what you doing ...
As for keeping, speaking from personal experience, if you keep, it will never be worth a carrot.
If you bin, it will be worth a small fortune !

 

[TwoHundredTeeDeeEue]

If you really want to advance the miles, practice on the old one. You may end up with digits misaligned, then all who look will think you have tried to turn it back ?
Could be you have dry joint or two in the solder, it may well be an easy fix, if you know what you doing ...
As for keeping, speaking from personal experience, if you keep, it will never be worth a carrot.
If you bin, it will be worth a small fortune !

I tried it advancing one for another vehicle with a drill once. Worked out it would take 36 hours straight to do it that way
I'll probably put it in a box with the rest of my semi functional spares and let whomever inherits my estate worry about they might end up with something valuable...