Help! No dash illumination

[Pete_RS2]

All of my dash illumination has stopped working (instrument cluster, heater controls & console gauges)

I have just fitted a new Blaupunkt stereo & CD changer over the weekend (you may have seen the thread in the ICE forum) so this may have something to do with it although everything (including the dash illumination) worked OK until this-morning.

I have checked the illumination fuse in the fuse box & that isn't blown. I also disconnected all the stereo wiring but it still doesn't work. I didn't connect the illumination feed when wiring in the stereo but this is for the dimmer adjustment only isn't it ? Also the clock & fuel computer illuminate with the lights switched off but I believe they have a separate daytime bulb ?

Any suggestions greatly appreciated so I can drive in the dark again. Why is nothing ever easy on these cars ?

[s2avant]

Check the dashboard booster relay. It's a 3 pin relay on it's own either behind the aux. gauges or near the fuse box. IIRC it's clipped to the dash somewhere behind the radio/gauge area. It controls all of the dashboard lighting. You may have knocked it loose when you fitted the stereo.

Also check the dimmer control in the dash insert (instrument cluster). It a basic rheostat and they seem to always break on VAG cars. Try twiddling it both ways and see if the lights come on or flicker at some point.

If they do the rheostat is dead, if they don't then it more likely to be a power problem.

If you can't sort it before Saturday I'm sure between us we can fix it

HTH,

Ben

[Lee]

I thought mine was the rheostat but it turned out to be a fuse. I checked one fuse but there are 2 feeding power to the binnacle and I had checked the wrong one! Doh. Thanks to Tom for spotting my foolishness!! At least now I know how to remove the binnacle....simple job. I've got to take it back out again because now one of the bulbs has gone dead.

[Floppy]

I've had the same problem but it was only the dimmer!

Found this out after spending one and a half hour at a garage

Floppy

[Pete_RS2]

I did check all the illumination fuses & checked the dimmer control - no sign of the lights coming on or flickering. I couldn't see any relays in the radio area Hopefully I can call on some help from you guys at GTI on Saturday

[Stick Insect]

I did check all the illumination fuses & checked the dimmer control - no sign of the lights coming on or flickering. I couldn't see any relays in the radio area Hopefully I can call on some help from you guys at GTI on Saturday

Peter, it's the same fuse as the number plate lights on a coupe. If yours is wired the same, check your number plate lights.

HTH

David

[Pete_RS2]

Yes it's the same on mine & the number plate lights do work.

[Stick Insect]

I had a problem where the oil pressure gauge didn't light due to moving the centre console. there are lots opf plugs there, one may be off.

HTH

David

[Pete_RS2]

Can somebody send me copies of the schematics for dash illumination ? I'm gonna try & get this fixed when I'm off work next week. Cheers.

[Stick Insect]

Can somebody send me copies of the schematics for dash illumination ? I'm gonna try & get this fixed when I'm off work next week. Cheers.

Peter I have a copy of the autodata sheets from many years ago. I don't know what detail is shown in that area. it is printed on Pink paper and would not photocopy well. Not that IO have access to a photo copier these days!

I would suggest checking the wiring booster first as suggested by Ben.

HTH

David

[Pete_RS2]

We did an ABA swap with Ben's booster relay at GTI Int & it didn't fix it. I think it's probably the dimmer rheostat but I'd like to have the schematics available when I get the cluster out in case it isn't faulty.

[s2avant]

Sorry for the delay Peter. I did say I would sort the diagrams out for you the week after GTi. My mind is like a sieve at the minute

Here are the four diagrams that relate to the dash illumination:

50/14

50/15

73/7

73/8

They're quite big so I put them in a zip file for you.

If you want me to photocopy them instead drop me a PM with your address and I'll get them sorted.

Ben

[Pete_RS2]

Thanks Ben I'll take the cluster out this week & have a look.

Something else I noticed which started to happen when the illumination stopped working - the orange triangle tell-tale bulb for the rear fog light switch comes on when reverse gear is selected Any ideas ?

[s2avant]

Sounds like a wiring fault somewhere. Maybe a short between the reverse light wiring and the foglight wiring. I'll try and dig out the diagrams for the rear lights (you may need to keep reminding me ) to see if there is something common.

Hope it's nothing too serious. My dash meltdown started as a couple of bizarre things happening.

Ben

[Pete_RS2]

Fixed my illumination today The dimmer rheostat was cracked. Not sure why the fog light switch came on with reverse gear though