Mecanics advise needed - Problem with dash light.

Tawny

Firstly, I know nothing about cars, so forgive me if this is a stupid question!

I had a problem with the dashboard light in my Ford Ka. It started with it going off temporarily, then blinking, then one day it went off and didnt go back on. It obviously wasn't just the bulb as bulbs don't stop working and then start again, so I figured it was something with the wiring or something.

I left the car in to the garage, and explained the problem. When collecting my car, they said it was all fixed as they changed the bulb. I did try questioning this, but they insisted it was all fine.

Sure enough, 2 days later the light went out again. Took the car back, explained again.

So now they have had my car for over a week. Im really starting to suffer without it, but apparently they are replacing the clocks in the dashboard and the part is taking ages??

What I don't get is that the clocks were all working fine, it was just that the light didn't work. Does the whole thing really need to be replaced? I have tried asking on the phone, but the receptionist said that the mecanic said thats what is needed.

And could the part really take so long to get in? They said they ordered it last Tuesday (28th October).

Savman

Tawny wrote: »

I had a problem with the dashboard light in my Ford Ka.

I'm sure the folks in the know will need clarification on which dashboard light is blinking.

Tawny

Savman wrote: »

I'm sure the folks in the know will need clarification on which dashboard light is blinking.

Its not one of the warning lights.
Simply the light in the dashboard so you can see it when its dark.

DublinDilbert

Tawny wrote: »

Its not one of the warning lights.
Simply the light in the dashboard so you can see it when its dark.

The back light should be very easy to fix.... was all the illumination on the dash going off? (ie the back lighting behind switches etc?? ) could be the dimming circuit....

You would of been better of bringing the car to a mechanic with electrical experience or an auto electrician...

Tawny

DublinDilbert wrote: »

The back light should be very easy to fix.... was all the illumination on the dash going off? (ie the back lighting behind switches etc?? ) could be the dimming circuit....

You would of been better of bringing the car to a mechanic with electrical experience or an auto electrician...

It was simply the bulb that lights the dashboard. Like the handbrake light still came on and everything.

Why are they saying they need to replace the clocks? (Does this mean the actually dials like speedometer etc?)

Owen

A lot of dashboards don't actually have bulbs inside. They have surface mounted LEDs, which are difficult to replace. I'd imagine in the first instance, the LED may have begun to operate, they sent it out as repaired, but now they realise they have to replace the binnacle itself this time.

Dashboard binnacles do take time to arrive, as most manufacturers won't release them without a specific order form in case everyone bought them and began clocking cars etc (Even though most clocking is done electronically now). It is possible to repair, but it's something only a specialist would do. A good mate of mine in the UK does it for MINIs and VW/Audis :

http://www.essentialmini.co.uk/other.htm

That looks like what you're describing.

Tawny

Yep I think it is an LED, so that probably explains the problem.

I had thought that my car had been just put at the bottom of the list as I said I didnt need it urgently, but never anticipated it would take longer than a week.

And I thought they were messing me about when they said the whole thing needed replaced, so its good to have someone explain the problem properly.

I can't take it to anyone else as they said it was 'stripped down'.

DublinDilbert

Ummmm i've never striped down a modern fiesta dash, so can't say for sure if they use LEDs.

But in the OP above, she said they tried to change the "blub" and it worked fine for a few days... then everything went out again....

The problem is that LED's, if driven correctly, should last 100K hours so are not designed to be changed, hence are usually soldered in place.

Either way i'd be very weary about changing the entire instrument cluster, unless i was 110% sure it needed it... do you know how much a new cluster can cost?? :eek:

OP was there a problem with any of the other illumination on the dashboard?

Tawny

No other problems as far as I was aware. All dials were working and indicator / brake lights etc. No warnings light on or anything. The only problem was that I couldnt see how fast I was driving in the dark, or my petrol guage.

I thought I had simply knocked the wiring when I put a wee dent in the front (exactly where the side indicator light is, just in front of driver door).

But the garage is talking about replacing 'clocks' and the car is 'stripped down'. I have tried getting them to explain but the receptionist just said it was what the mecanic said.

PS its a relatively new ford Ka

Tawny

Just to update and say thanks for the info....

When I phoned the garage this morning I asked for a courtesy car, and hey presto car was fixed by half five. Is this a coincidence or am I reading to much into it?

They did have to replace the whole dash console thingy, so now my car has 0 miles on it! Also, it was probably costly but it is within warranty so I didnt have to pay for it

Brabus

Tawny wrote: »

They did have to replace the whole dash console thingy, so now my car has 0 miles on it! Also, it was probably costly but it is within warranty so I didnt have to pay for it

That could have its advantages you know;)

Mikesul1

I have seen this on a 2006 KA, the dashboard light is either off, on or intermittent. The cause on the KA I had was the bulb melting the casing on the back of the clock cluster(this is why they change the clocks out) I fixed it by extending the contacts on the bulb holder (technical term for putting a finger nail under the contacts and pulling them away from the holder. This worked but you could also use a heat gun to reform the rear case. The bottom line is the bulb is too hot it even slightly mis-aligned in the holder and will distort the plastic in the clock cluster and cause the contacts to move. The clocks will continue to work as they are controlled by a different connection at the base of the clock cluster.

Plug

Zombie nation.

-Chris-

Hi Mikesul1,

Thanks for posting. This thread is 15 months old, so the issue is presumably sorted by now.

Please have a read of the Charter.

Thanks,

Chris