Computer Display Acting Up!

[geoffc]

Hi Everyone! I havnt posted here for some time.....mainly because the Sharan was going fine. Have recently bought a 2001 Sharan MK2, one problem I have with it is the central computer display in the dash occasionally appears darker at the left hand side of the display. The display only goes dark at the left side, when the interior of the car is hot. Has anyone ever had the instrument panel apart.....I dont want to do any damage!! Geoff

[Helen]

I have an 04 Galaxy and have noticed in the past few weeks that the display has been really dim on the left hand side when the car was hot.

 

This morning however no display at all!

 

Also does the handbrake light come on when you have the handbrake on when the car is running e.g. at traffic lights? Mine doesn't but I can remember if it never did or if if just doesn't work now. It works fine when the car is not running.

 

Helen

[andy m]

oh oh!! mine does this as well... 2001 MK2 GAL.....

 

exactly the same ,only does it when hot .... any ideas...???and can it be fixed.....easlily or does it have to go in to the job bank of things I can live with.like the climate display missing segments and the air con not working :D ????

 

 

bullit

[mikej]

Welcom to the club of no computer display ! :D

[Triple Trouble]

Once every few months, display gos completely! CURE : turn engine off and on, works 99% of the time. The vagaries of the Galaxy family

[marcostig]

mines doing the same its really anoying cant find a fix though...

[Mirez]

If you take the cluster apart you will find the display is driven from the driver PCB via a ribbon cable - this cable is stuck to the display using contact glue. Its used because its cheaper then using a proper mechanical connector - sadly its prone to heat and moisure (two things high in a car duh!) making it less efective over time, the result is that the cable lifts and breaks the contacts between some of the circuits, hence the display fading in certain areas.

 

There are only a few solutions, the first is to reglue it - tricky as it is a high density cable and therefore needs to be aligned pracisely on the display board - this is made harder by the fact the contacts are opaque on a glass surface and there are no alignment marks. The slightest bit of mank under there will also stop it making a circuit so it needs to be clinically clean. The second and probably better option if you still have a semi working display is to use some foam strip on the end of the ribbon cable. Enough so that when the cluster is reasembled the foam is compressed between the displays facia and puts pressure on the ribbon cable to recontact.

[Mirez]

And because I happen to be disecting one at the moment, some photos:

 

 

This is the cable end that attaches to the LCD board, apply foam stip horizontally accross the blue section of tape:

 

 

 

And this is the other end of that cable where it attaches to the driver PCB. You can see the contacts are far more evident and that on this cluster the cable is lifting on both ends. You cant use foam so easily here as when its reasembled the only bit behind it is the plastic cluster and its sloping :lol: I would apply some strong tape, like ducktape, over the existing cable to help keep it stuck down - you may then be able to wedge some foam or cardboard in for additional pressure

 

 

That should fix your cluster issues!

Edited August 2, 2008 by Mirez

[mikej]

Mirez , have you actually fixed one yet mate working on this cable , if not why do suspect this . I totally agree with you about it being a stupid way of making contact in this instance mind . Already had a look at the pcb and could not see any other issues apart from this connection !

mike........ :lol:

[Mirez]

I can't say I've fixed a faded display because of this, I have fixed missing lines on the RH side because of this though - poor contact instead of no contact could conceivable cause faded lines instead. I am an electronics engineer by trade and my experience would lead me to be about 90% certain that this connection is the cause of most display issues :lol:

 

If you have a photo of the faded display I would love to take a look! B)

[mikej]

Sorry mate no pics as its completely dead (gone) Very strange mind as some have suggested or mentioned about it occuring during heat changes as my own first started acting up on a really really hot day returned to normal for a while and later dissapeared on another really hot day , could be coincidence but it got me thinking along the lines of a poor solder joint or as you say poor connection through the ribbon cable , anyhow going to purchase some freezer spray and have a play , may even remove and resecure cable if the spray don't show anything , keep you informed .

mike.... Ex Sony electronics engineer although too long ago now to be of any use lol.... :lol:

p.s What about sourcing a replacement cable (manufacturer etc) or even replacing it with some ribbon , can't be that hard ??

Edited August 2, 2008 by mikej

[Mirez]

I doubt very much that the cable is actually U/S. I think its simply a case of poor contact with the LCD the Drive PCB or both. High ambient temperatures are especially bad for this type of joint as the contact glue weakens causing the cable to lift - it would only need to move a tiny amount for the contact to break and thus the screen to begin to fail, as the teperature cools the glue contracts slightly recreating the contact...

[mikej]

Quote I doubt very much that the cable is actually U/S.

 

Was thinking more along the lines a new cable may come with a new glue strip etc or simply replace the existing one by soldering a small ribbon cable to the pc as it doesn't look too difficult a job , low power iron , fine tip and a lense ? or some may argue that it maybe less hassle to locate a cheap working second hand unit .

 

P.S However if someone is willing to donate a previously working unit i am more than willing to give it a go :lol: ????

[Mirez]

Ahh with you, it probably would come with one but getting one would probably be so much hassle it simply wouldn't be worth it. Soldering to the PCB would be easy - how would you attach at the LCD end? :lol: