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Showing posts with label dashboard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dashboard. Show all posts

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Chrysler Sebring Limited convertible Intermittent Instrument Cluster Problem


Multiple Electrical Problems On Chrysler Instrument cluster Dashboard



2002 Chrysler Sebring Limited convertible have an intermittent dash light problem.
The lights will go off suddenly.
The second problem was while turning the steering wheel  heard a snapping sound and then a clicking sound from the steering column. Since then the horn does not work, the cruise control also quit, and the airbag light has come on.

Chrysler Instrument cluster dashboard
Vehicle Details:

Make: Chrysler
Model: Sebring Limited
Year: 2002
Engine: 2.7



EXPERT'S QUERY


When the lights go off is it just the instrument cluster illumination or does it also affect the radio and a/c control head?

Do they come back on their own or possibly flicker?


CUSTOMERS REPLY TO EXPERT'S QUERY:

On the first problem, it is just the instrument cluster. The rest of the dash lights are fine. They come back on their own and do not flicker.



EXPERT'S REPLY FOR TROUBLESHOOTING THIS PROBLEM:


Is It Switch Or Faulty Cluster?


If the cluster itself is the only thing acting up then you should be able to rule out a switch issue. The switch can cause the lights to come and go but it would affect all illumination.

What are the Possible Causes For This Problem?

Possible causes would be wiring and connections, the body control module or the instrument cluster itself.

OK,But How To Exactly Confirm What is Faulty Out Of This Possibilities?

To know for sure what is going on it will take some simple testing while it's acting up, checking for power on the illumination circuit at the cluster connector while the lights aren't working.

Suppose if there is power there when the lights won't work then obviously the problem is in the cluster, but if not then you have a wiring or BCM problem and the next place you would need to test is the BCM. I've seen some problems with the clusters themselves cause illumination problems and there is a good chance your problem is in the cluster also.


OK, And What About Airbag,horn and Cruise Control Problem Which are Getting Noticed?

The airbag light, horn and cruise are all caused by a broken clock spring  The clock spring is in the top of the steering column under the wheel and is what makes electrical contact between the wheel and wiring harness and allows the wheel to turn.

Is It Easy To Replace Clock Spring?

Replacing it isn't hard if you've done some intermediate repairs before, but you do have to remove the airbag. The airbag will need to be removed, the steering wheel and column shrouds removed, and then the clockspring is exposed and can be removed.

It takes less than an hour to replace. If you do the job yourself be sure to disconnect the battery and wait a few minutes before removing the airbag.


OK, But How to check for power on the illumination circuit at the cluster connector while the lights aren't working?

Here is the complete test procedure:

First you will need few basic testing tools.

To check for power you'd either need to use a test light or voltmeter, I would prefer a test light in this case.

What Exactly I Have To Check?

You would be checking for power right at the instrument cluster connector, the cluster would need to be removed.

But How To Remove Instrument Cluster?

To remove the cluster you first remove the left instrument panel end cap. It is held in with push in fasteners and will pop off.

Using a small flat bladed tool get in behind the mirror switch bezel and gently pry it out, unplug the electrical connector and set the switch/bezel aside. Also remove the bezel to the right of the steering column.

Then you can remove the cluster bezel. The cluster bezel is the large trim piece that goes around the instrument cluster and contains the two center a/c vents.

There will be four screws to remove on the bezel.

Once the screws are out then you can get behind the panel and gently pry it rearward and work your way around popping the clips loose.

Disconnect the compass connector if you have a compass in the center of the dash, then you can completely remove the bezel and set it aside.

This will expose the screws that hold the instrument cluster in. Remove the screws and then remove the cluster.

OK,So After That What Wire Has To Be Tested For What Volts?

Facing the cluster connector the top row of terminals is numbered 1-13, 1 being the top right and counting right to left. Pin 12 is an orange wire, this is the panel lamp driver wire and should have battery voltage with the lights on.


This Details Will Help.
Thanks.


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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

What To Do When Fuel Gauge Stops Working

Fuel Gauge Behaves Erratic


Fuel Gauge Not Working.

First understand What exactly is Fuel Gauge unit:


Very important aspect of vehicle.Previously old model cars were not having these functions.Just assume you are driving and suddenly the car stops running in middle of highway and you come to know that there is no enough fuel to drive your car.You are on middle of road and there is no possibility of getting fuel because all gas stations are near to city.
So fuel gauge unit is very important.
It is acknowledged as  gas gauge or a fuel gauge. With the help of this device you come to know the level of fuel present in the fuel tank of any vehicle.

There are two parts in the fuel gauge: an signal indicator and a sense detecting unit.

The fuel gauge unit with other gauge units like speedometer, odometer,temperature gauge,heat gauge etc is situated on dashboard. This unit signifies the moderation of fuel.

When the fuel is full the signal needle goes on Full mark "F" and in the same way when fuel is empty the indicator mark goes to empty mark "E".
There is letter 'E' and letter 'F' spaced with markings on the fuel gauge unit.

You have to fill the fuel from any local gas station when the signal shows less fuel, which is near to E.

The Needle works and function by signal system.
The needle which is connected to a potentiometer in the sensing unit.
So by this process the needle moves from full to empty.



Types Of Problem Mostly Noticed:

  • Fuel gauge needle jammed underneath the pin.
  • Or is it rising and falling from full level to the empty level strangely! 
  • Or there is no movement to needle.
  • Or the fuel indicating needle is just of full level with no fuel in it.

These are basic signals specifying something certainly drastically wrong with the Fuel gauge unit and you need to repair it. 

As you already know now that fuel gauge unit works by two main parts

Fuel sensing unit and Fuel level indicator,
the sensing unit contains a smooth floating to & fro movable needle and the fuel indicating unit calculates the flow of current.

Details are shared below:
Regarding sensing unit needle ,it is connected to a electrical part called potentiometer as already said before.
Now this potentiometer operates by electronic component called resistor.
When the resistors resistance current value gets low the needle is on empty and when the resistors resistance current value gets high,the needle is on full mark.

The movement of the needle can be seen on the indicator unit,which is located on dashboard.

Now all this info is produced by minute sensor located in gas tank.This sensor is called fuel level sensor.This sensor gives details about fuel level and that is what you see on the indicator unit or fuel gauge.




There are few possible reasons to cause these problem and here we will discuss the details:


  • A faulty Fuel level sensor.
  • A problem with Needle or float assembly causing issues like needle to jump from full to empty.
  • A clogged fuel pump, in that case get the fuel filter cleaned,.
  • A faulty fuel gauge unit,if the internal circuit goes short the fuel gauge unit will not work.Yes its electronic device and it can go faulty someday.
  • A blown or shorted fuse controlling fuel unit .
  • A issue with wiring from fuel tank to the fuel gauge unit on dashboard.


Sometimes Tapping the unit with hand helps to make the unit work.Just tap it slowly few times and see if starts operating or not.


On most of such cases the problem is related to this of what is mentioned above.

On major failure cases the problem is no gauges working,on that case the complete instrument cluster board has to be replaced.

Yes there are few stores who deals with repairing instrument cluster boards.But if that's not possible then getting it replaced is the only possibility.

Hope this details help you to understand the working of fuel gauge and basic troubleshooting to make it work.


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