Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: mandip on 12 November 2007, 13:39:23

Title: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: mandip on 12 November 2007, 13:39:23
Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone has any advice relating to the dashboard lights not working on my R reg Omega 2.0 CDX (4 door).

When I turn the headlights on, the instrument panel and the rest of the dashboard doesn't light up.  I have tried changing the bulbs but they still do not work.  I've looked for the fuse for the dashboard but I cannot see any logo corresponding to the dashboard and consequently do not know which fuse I should change, if any.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Mandip
Title: Re: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 12 November 2007, 14:02:01
I assume the dimmer on the headlight assembly is set fully on.....if not then this is the item I would suspect.

Does the dimmer dim the other functions (radio etc?)
Title: Re: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: mandip on 12 November 2007, 14:07:17
Hello,

Apologies as I should have added that.  Yes, I have set the dimmer to maximum and also to minimum (just to check it) but the lights do not come on.

I'm assuming the problem is beyond the light bulbs as nothing else lights up on the dash at night eg. the hazard lights button or the heated seats button.

The dimmer doesn't appear to dim anything else.

Something else which may be important is the computer / clock in the dash.  When I start the car it brings up 3 different messages which say:
 
Headlight Tailight check,
Brake Pads,

 
The headlights and breaks work fine as the car passed it's MOT 2 months ago.

Thanks
Mandip
Title: Re: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 12 November 2007, 15:49:29
Quote
Hello,

Apologies as I should have added that.  Yes, I have set the dimmer to maximum and also to minimum (just to check it) but the lights do not come on.

I'm assuming the problem is beyond the light bulbs as nothing else lights up on the dash at night eg. the hazard lights button or the heated seats button.

The dimmer doesn't appear to dim anything else.

Something else which may be important is the computer / clock in the dash.  When I start the car it brings up 3 different messages which say:
 
Headlight Tailight check,
Brake Pads,

 
The headlights and breaks work fine as the car passed it's MOT 2 months ago.

Thanks
Mandip

Looking in the Haynes manual Fuse F15 which is 20amp does, Reversing Lights, Glove compartment light, Automatic level control system, Sunroof, Instrument Illumination, Headlight Range Adjustment.

Headlight Check, you have two taillight bulbs to check, I made the same mistake and thought there was only one until someone on here told me :y

Brake Pad Check, check that the sensor wire hasn't come off the brake pad (sensors only on front pads) :y
Title: Re: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: mandip on 12 November 2007, 15:55:35
I have remembered that the reverse lights are working and the glove box light.  From this I assume the fuse is fine?

Thanks for your help.

Mandip
Title: Re: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 12 November 2007, 16:30:37
Have you tried like Mark said, turn on the radio then turn the Dimmer down to see if its working?

Perhaps you need one
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-COMPLETE-HEADLIGHT-SWITCHES-GM-90460591_W0QQitemZ320171259793QQihZ011QQcategoryZ10404QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
Title: Re: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: mandip on 13 November 2007, 08:41:58
I took the dash apart last night and checked all the bulbs which are working.

The dimmer does not dim the radio or anything else.

I am at a loss.

Any help would be great.

Mandip
Title: Re: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 13 November 2007, 08:49:59
I would say its the headlight switch failed then, inside is the dimmer function for the lights.
Title: Re: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: mandip on 13 November 2007, 12:06:33
Thanks for your help Mark (and everyone else).

Would I just need to go to Vauxhall and ask for a headlight switch?
Title: Re: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: Andy B on 13 November 2007, 12:17:13
Quote
Thanks for your help Mark (and everyone else).

Would I just need to go to Vauxhall and ask for a headlight switch?

I've no idea of the price of a new one but I think I'd be more inclined to get one from a scrap yard. It seems though that some switches have the 'lights on buzzer' incorporated within the switch, others - mine included - have a seperate buzzer. Don't know if that mankes a difference to the opperation of the switch though. :-/
Title: Re: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 13 November 2007, 12:19:51
Auto or manual gear
box?
Title: Re: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 13 November 2007, 12:21:43
Here is one....
Title: Re: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: mandip on 13 November 2007, 13:07:45
Hello Mark,

I can't seem to see anything.  It may be because I am checking this at work and they have blocked it.

It is a manual gearbox.

The lights do make a beeping warning sound if they are left on and the engine is off.
Title: Re: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: Andy B on 13 November 2007, 20:21:16
Quote
.......
The lights do make a beeping warning sound if they are left on and the engine is off.

Some cars have the buzzer within the light switch, others, like mine have a seperate buzzer behind/under the glove box.
Title: Re: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 13 November 2007, 22:03:57
Its my fault, I missed the link off.... ::)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Omega-Main-Light-Switch-Bargain_W0QQitemZ150179433183QQihZ005QQcategoryZ10404QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Or try some of the guys on here......bound to be a few about.
Title: Re: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 13 November 2007, 22:05:33
or here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-HEADLIGHT-SWITCHES_W0QQitemZ290180968724QQihZ019QQcategoryZ10404QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Are your fog light indicator lamps on the switch or the instrument panel?
Title: Re: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: shyboy on 14 November 2007, 21:17:43
I've just posted about dim panel lights on my facelift 2.6l.
When you get to my age information has to be dragged out of the memory box with grappling irons, and I now seem to recall that when I removed the lighting switch from my 2.0i pre facelift years ago, the mechanism was a simple slide type rheostat in the form of an arm which moved across and in contact with the coiled wire device in the switch. Again if my memory serves me correctly, (please don't count on it), the coil part was corroded/burnt beyond repair, rendering the panel lights inoperative. I think I found a 2nd. hand switch in a breakers yard.
So testing/examining the switch in your hand is an obvious starting point.
Good luck!
Title: Re: Dashboard lights not working
Post by: ians on 15 November 2007, 17:27:01
Re brakes
- The MOT tests breaking performance and a visual check of anything they can see without dismantling only.

So although the car passed, it is still worth checking your pads.  It may be the sensor has fallen apart,  but otherwise may need new pads before you cook you disks.

(the message refers to the front only - rear doesn't have a sensor)