Puzzling - Fuel & Temp gauge have to warm up...

Post by **simonc** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 4:02 am

Morning all. Intermittent occurrence on my dashboard that happens every so often that I'd like to share.
This morning, I switched on and all the warning lights light up, including the speedo/revcounter but pitch black from the fuel and temperature gauges. The warning lights go off, the speedo/revcounter stay lit but darkness from fuel and temp.
So, I sit there for a minute and can very faintly see the gauges 'coming to life' and after driving off, after about two minutes, the gauges 'warm up' (yes, I'm old enough to remember valves

) so that after three or four minutes driving they are back as they should be.

Interesting that also the ignition key-light around the barrel was also not glowing this morning, if that may be related.
Anyone experienced this before and should I start digging around for a solution? Ta, Si.

Edit: Should add that intermittent means it's happened about five/six times in the last 6 to 8 months.

bennyboy · Post by **bennyboy** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 7:38 am

I have a similar, though not as severe thing going on with the dials themselves. Just not quite as bright as they should be at start up. I am thinking a couple of electrolytic caps are on their way out, will replace the whole lot in due course.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 7:49 am

Yep, agree with that suggestion.
when it does it, have you tried adjusting the dimmer to see if that clears it? Could just be the contacts on the rheostat getting tarnished.

Post by **simonc** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 8:41 am

Hi both. I have fiddled with the brightness roller thing but it doesn't seem to anything at that time. However, perhaps after I've fiddled the effect may then cause it to go away as it is an intermittent thing.
BTW - where are the electrolytic caps?

alinton · Post by **alinton** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 10:44 am

As said, it could be component failure on the pcb, which would be chaos to locate and fix.

You might be better off replacing the module with a donor one. It's actually very easy to do if you're able to remove a lot of screws.

bennyboy · Post by **bennyboy** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 11:04 am

Agreed, the fuel and temp module is a simple swap. I want to get at my dials out of curiosity really.

alinton · Post by **alinton** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 11:20 am

For example:

http://www.adverts.ie/interiors-parts/h ... le/8087294

Post by **bluejackhustler** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 10:17 pm

Electrolytics can be warmed with a hair dryer to locate
faults?

Post by **simonc** » Thu Jun 04, 2015 12:43 am

@alinton. Good morning to you. Are you willing to sell me the module please? Can I dib it? Thanks, Si.

Post by **simonc** » Thu Jun 04, 2015 12:46 am

Just to let you know that last night, when I went home, the lights were fine and dandy as they were this morning when I came to the office.

If I can get the module then perhaps that's the way forward.