Still Dead Instrument Cluster

[evanc]

Hey fellas,

After looking around at all the different postings, replacing the batteries on the SI Board and checking the fuses, I still don't have a functioning gas, temp, econo and tach. Reverse light also doesn't work. I just replaced that switch so I know it can't be that.

I usually don't post up questions, especially since there seems to be so many threads on this topic, so I apologize for the redundancy.

The other threads on replacing the batteries was very helpful, but maybe I f'd up the install of the batteries, but I tested it on a volt meter and the board was getting juice.

[Gregs///M]

I've seen dead SI batteries that still read 3V. This is because of the load current of the two batteries is very low. Or one battery maintains 3V and the other maintains a lower voltage, however you will not read that with a meter since the batteries are wired in series.

Also, VDO SI boards have a very common failure on the circuit board. Near the inside edges, there can be breaks in the circuit board traces. This will affect all kinds of circuits.

I repair/restore clusters plus we live one city away from each other. I'm in Pleasant Hill. Send me a PM if you are interested in having your cluster repaired/restored.

[evanc]

Thanks for the reply. I had my Tech Department take a look at the board and it checked out. We took the old batteries out (unsoldered) and soldered the new ones back in. The curious thing is, I checked all the fuses, they were fine on the volt meter and still didn't work.

Then I took each of the fuses out and cleaned up the contacts and volia my gas and temp gauge came back to life. But still no tach or econo gauge.

Then last night as I'm parking, the gas and temp gauge go dead again and my tach came to life? So weird. I shut down the motor and restarted again and the tach continued to work, but the gas and temp not.

Maybe after a few more days they'll both work!

If I was stateside I'd have you refurbish a board for me, but I'm in Poland 10 months out of the year now.

Thanks for the reply. When I'm back in Walnut Creek this Christmas I might hit you up.

Cheers,

Evan

[Gregs///M]

Thanks for the reply. I had my Tech Department take a look at the board and it checked out. We took the old batteries out (unsoldered) and soldered the new ones back in. The curious thing is, I checked all the fuses, they were fine on the volt meter and still didn't work.

Then I took each of the fuses out and cleaned up the contacts and volia my gas and temp gauge came back to life. But still no tach or econo gauge.

Then last night as I'm parking, the gas and temp gauge go dead again and my tach came to life? So weird. I shut down the motor and restarted again and the tach continued to work, but the gas and temp not.

Maybe after a few more days they'll both work!

If I was stateside I'd have you refurbish a board for me, but I'm in Poland 10 months out of the year now.

Thanks for the reply. When I'm back in Walnut Creek this Christmas I might hit you up.

Cheers,

Evan

Are your SI batteries the NiCd AA style batteries or the lithum short batteries? the AA's, if not charged fully, will take several hours to charge and for its SI board to work.

Lithiums, on the other hand, come fully charged and will work right away.

In addition to SI batteries, check the 7mm nuts behind the gas and temp gauge. If loose, you will experience intermittent operation. Lastly, the cluster grounds could be loose or corroded. They are located on the 10mm nut that is mounted to a bracket above the brake pedal, near steering column. it will be all brown wires, remove nut and clean connections, secure well.

[evanc]

The batteries I replaced were the half sized "AA" Lithiums with exactly the same ones.

Good tip to check those ground connections. After taking the cluster out it's really obvious that the cluster has been out. Some of the mounting screws were missing...

Really appreciate the reply with the tips. That'll be my next small project to take a look at.

[SkorcherX]

Any update?