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[GrahamK]

Funny one this. Car is fairly new to me and took it for an MOT on Friday. Pass.. Fantastic.

it was idling on the ramp during the MOT, fans came on, temp steady. All seemed fine.

On way home realised that when Indicating left the Right hand dash winker blinks along with 3 or 4 warning lights and the info dash panel. It looks a little like an earth fault in days of yore.
Strangely all the external indicator lamps are working perfectly both sides?
What on earth can this be?

Any ideas much appreciated.
Regards,

Graham.

[Doctor Gollum]

An earth fault

At the cluster most likely otherwise the tester would have spotted it
Eazy enough to remove the cluster to investigate. 

[GrahamK]

Hi Doc,

Any idea what I'm looking for in the cluster. It's been off before and i remember the plasticky ribbon cable in a recess. that didn't look like it would be that reliable to me, but what do i know. Do you think a clean of that and the male part might cure the fault or do you recall an earth point elsewhere on the cluster?

Thanks.

[Doctor Gollum]

Any damage/shorts should be obvious, may have to split it to check the cicuit board

[Rangie]

Had a similar thing in my Hyundai a few years back, removed the cluster & cleaned every contact + a small spray of WD40 never had any issues afterwards.

[GrahamK]

I've separated the dials and housing but cannot get to the back of the circuit board as it is held in with a strong metal clip that also captures a ribbon cable.
Can't slide the PCB out as there is a capacitor in the way. Can't see how to get it apart without risking breaking it. Any ideas?

I've cleaned up all the contacts with switch cleaner, still the same.

the only thing I can see is a small hole ( about 2mm) in the ribbon cable (in the recess) that mates with the main instrument connector (a male plug) on the car.

Any ideas how this could be repaired? Could it be soldered? Sounds dodgy on a plastic ribbon cable?

Could the damaged ribbon cable be swapped from another unit/ (I have another unit here which has a different fault)

Regards,

Graham.

[dave the builder]

you can buy metal paint that conducts electricity ,used on rear heated windows etc 

[cam.in.head]

To confirm if it's a ribbon fault or other earth related issue ,with a test meter set to bleeper you should be able to confirm the earth connections from the ribbon strip to the respective bulb holder sockets ( bulbs removed to prevent false circuits)
Not all the holders will be earth connected thou .ignition warning and oil warning to name a couple .you could do with an instrument panel schematic if anyone has one ?

[Doctor Gollum]

Haynes wiring diagram should sufffice.

What light does what will be clear from the lens