Instrument Cluster Backlights/ 2000 SSEi
#1
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SE Virginia
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Instrument Cluster Backlights/ 2000 SSEi
I've lost about half of the backlights on my instrument cluster. I pulled the unit out, cleaned all the contacts, and put it back in with no improvement. Anybody have any idea what might be going on? I'm just about ready to replace the cluster, but I hope there is a better way!
Jim
Jim
#2
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Re: Instrument Cluster Backlights/ 2000 SSEi
Originally Posted by JHE757
I've lost about half of the backlights on my instrument cluster. I pulled the unit out, cleaned all the contacts, and put it back in with no improvement. Anybody have any idea what might be going on? I'm just about ready to replace the cluster, but I hope there is a better way!
Otherwise, you may have a broken trace on the circuit board. If half the lights are still working, you know you have power up to the plug in back, so you need to pull the thing again and follow the traces to each of the offending bulbs, as well as the ground traces leading _away_ from the bulbs.
#3
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SE Virginia
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was told that my cluster uses LED'* that are not replaceable...no bulbs. They are supposed to last forever. I think the problem lies on the board somwehere. First I lost one light, then a few more several days later. Its probably a matter of time until they all go.
I was hoping by pulling the unit out and snapping it back in a few times the problem would fix itself, but no luck.
Jim
I was hoping by pulling the unit out and snapping it back in a few times the problem would fix itself, but no luck.
Jim
#4
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Originally Posted by JHE757
I was told that my cluster uses LED'* that are not replaceable...no bulbs. They are supposed to last forever. I think the problem lies on the board somwehere.
In any event, if you lost a bunch of them at once, I'd suspect one of the circuit board traces has gone bad. If you're losing them progressively, one or two at a time, then I don't know what to suggest -- your voltage regulator hasn't gone berserk, right?
#5
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SE Virginia
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No, I think the VR is OK...at least as far as I know. The 2000+ Bonnevilles went all-LED for the instrument backlighting. They can't be replaced. You have to buy a whole new cluster. It'* a great way to make you spend big-bucks to fix a small problem!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DavidR
Everything Electrical & Electronic
3
10-26-2005 02:51 PM