Instrument Cluster

[jcol]

Hi, the ligthts on my instrument cluster on my 2002 tdi Galaxy have suddenly stopped working. All the instruments seem to be working fine, but just can't see them at night. Thought it might be a fuse, but my Galxy handbook has the radio and parking sensor on the same fuse and they are fine.Any sugestions? Thanks

[jcol]

Oh, and my console is not working either - could this be a dimmer switch problem?

[BrianH]

It sounds like it might be the dimmer. Does it change if you move the dimmer about? Might also be the main light switch. Or lots of blown bulbs? Edited December 26, 2015 by BrianH

[jcol]

Thanks Brian, no effect of moving dimmer switch, and light switch is working normally, apart from console and cluster. Think I might have knocked the dimmer control slightly with my hand? At first thought it would be bulbs, but seems unlikely that all would go at same time? I'm not good with cars, but would it be feasible to get behind dimmer switch and try bypassing it?

[BrianH]

Possibly, might be easier to buy another dimmer first and just plug it in though given the price? (doesn't need to be fitted to test if its the faulty item)

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-GALAXY-MK2-HEADLIGHT-DIMMER-SWITCH-2000-2006-FREE-POST-/151913837293

 

I have had the main light switch on other cars fail - do your tail lights work?? (back when the one on my long since dead Escort died the tail lights as well as the cluster lighting all died down to the switch failing - headlights still worked but nothing else!)

[BrianH]

Possibly, might be easier to buy another dimmer first and just plug it in though given the price? (doesn't need to be fitted to test if its the faulty item) Otherwise you need to get handy with the multimeter and work out which pins should be the input and output, which without a similar working example to compare to isn't the easiest of tasks anyway.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-GALAXY-MK2-HEADLIGHT-DIMMER-SWITCH-2000-2006-FREE-POST-/151913837293

 

I have had the main light switch on other cars fail - do your tail lights work?? (back when the one on my long since dead Escort died the tail lights as well as the cluster lighting all died down to the switch failing - headlights still worked but nothing else!)

[jcol]

Yes, will try another unit. Oddly, a brake light and a front sidelight also went...have replaced them, and they work again. For the dimmer switch, when I get one, assume you just take the trim off, remove three screws, and the panel drops down hopefully to reveal the switch? Don't want to explore until I have the new unit in my hand!

[BrianH]

Haven't had it out so don't know. It may be worth having a look at the boot fairer wires if you haven't already though as well. They tend to cause all manner of odd issues

[jcol]

Well, fixed it. Thanks Brian, we identified the probable cause at much the same time. I made the mistake of looking at the instrument cluster fuse as likely first time, but since the console and instruments all lost their power, which all go through the dimmer,, a faulty dimmer seemed likely. So looking at the fuse diagram again in the handbook, the dimmer switch goes through fuse 28, which also controls the number plate lights. Checked and they were not working. Conclusion, try a new fuse....but why would the fuse go? I then remembered that I had a central locking problem some time ago, when the tailgate wouldn't open. I opened it manually, and pulled back the rubber gaiter on offside, where all the wires go into the tailgate, found a broken wire, joined it up, and that fixed the problem. Checked the wires again, given that the number plate wires must go through, and more wires had frayed, so did a bodge job on them until I get time to do them properly. Then pulled the flap down to reveal the fuses, and pulled off the flap. There is a plastic cover over the fuses which did not seem keen to come off. Back to the Internet for advice, it's a common problem, but you can get it off by prising off one end with your finger, and the other end comes off. Fitted a new 3 amp fuse in fuse 28 and everyone is working normally! Dimmer switch works too, at least for the moment! Thought it was worth going into all this in detail in case someone else with as little knowledge as me has a similar problem. Cant imagine what fords would have charged and it cost nothing to fix. I'll worry about how to get access to deal with the frayed wires properly later...surely can't be difficult to renew the wires in that short section?

[BrianH]

Remove trim inside the rear where seatbelt goes to on that side. That will give you enough slack to make joins either side of the hinge point. Common issue on these just with various symptoms depends what breaks and what ends up connected together. Think there's some info on the faq though on replacing the cables