VK Calais digital dash fault

85_Calais · #1 05-06-2008, 11:51 PM

Hi,

A couple of days ago my dashboard started playing up. The problem is that when the car is running, some of the bars on the speedo and tacho light up and sometimes flash. Just wondering what the cause for this may be. Seemed to start after we had a lot of rain, although all the seals on the car are in good condition and there are no obvious leaks. Just wondering what the cause may be and if it's fixable.

NORTI · #2 06-06-2008, 04:18 PM

It may not be the dash at fault. Sometimes its the senders at fault. (Check for water/corrosion on them) If it is the dash, contact a VDO repairer??

Id start with checking wiring connections if you can, you have already checked for water (corrosion) so Id go that way first. If your confident you can try pulling the dash out, but its a fairly sealed unit.

Cane_It · #3 07-06-2008, 01:48 PM

check to make sure that the connections in the engine wiring loom are good, this will cause issues with the tacho dropping out and surging...

check the condition of the speedo cable, you'll have to unplug it from the trans and also the cruise control transducer to remove the cable from the sheath. If its geting stuck in the sheath and then suddenly releasing it will cause surges on the dash speedo.

thirdly check the condition of the terminals in the round plug that goes into the back of the cluster.

I'll have a tech article posted up and also for PDF download soon on another commodore site with a bunch of "fixes" for digital dashes. I'm just awaiting moderator approval.

Cane_It · #4 07-06-2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NORTI

If your confident you can try pulling the dash out, but its a fairly sealed unit.

it can be opened up, examined and fixed but requires a fair bit of care and also to know what you're looking for.

NORTI · #5 07-06-2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cane_It

it can be opened up, examined and fixed but requires a fair bit of care and also to know what you're looking for.

Oh I know this, Ive opened 2 so far

, but what I mean is unlike the VB-VH its alot more 'bits' to do.

85_Calais · #6 07-06-2008, 07:49 PM

Interestingly, it coincided with my radiator leaking big time and a lot of wet weather, so wouldn't surprise me if there was a problem with water or corrosion in any one of the connections / senders. Will check it out.