dead dashboard

pitw · Post by **pitw** » 10 Sep 2011, 16:15

hoping someone can help. my dashboard instruments have just died. my speedo, rev counter, mileage display, fuel and temp gauges and most of my warning lights have just stopped working. have checked all the fuses and all are ok. all that works is my battery light and glow plug light.

any ideas?

Post by **myglaren** » 10 Sep 2011, 17:20

To which car does this apply?

Have you checked the Maxi fuses that usually are hidden under the engine compartment fuse box?

pitw · Post by **pitw** » 10 Sep 2011, 17:38

sorry 96 xantia 1.9sd. yep check the fuses under the steering and the ones under the bonnet.

pitw · Post by **pitw** » 11 Sep 2011, 21:41

has anyone else ever had something similar happen. was hoping it was a common fault. gonna try and get a replacement instrument panel and hope that sorts it. at the moment with no instruments i like speed cameras even less than normal. probably look silly going past them at 10 mph just to be on the safe side.

Post by **myglaren** » 11 Sep 2011, 21:49

I'm sure you will get a reasonable answer soon. If it isn't the fuses and everything else works I imagine it could be a relay. Failing that, the earth bond for the instrument panel

I don't have a relay map but you might try yanking them out, spraying the contacts with electrical contact cleaner (NOT WD40) and replacing them and checking the earths for the instruments.

pitw · Post by **pitw** » 11 Sep 2011, 22:17

cheers. not checked relays. wasn't sure if they had anything to do with the dash. only found 2 relays in the box under the bonnet with the fuses, any idea if there are more hidden somewhere else. will take them out and try cleaning them. not expert with relays so will have to research how to test them and what size hammer i need to fix them.

Post by **myglaren** » 11 Sep 2011, 22:22

IIRC there are a boatload below the dash but it has been a few years since I had a Xantia so could well be mistaken.

Always use the largest hammer you can find

pitw · Post by **pitw** » 11 Sep 2011, 22:38

cheers, will get my dash to bits when i get a chance and dig my sledge hammer out just in case my lump hammer isn't up to the job.

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 11 Sep 2011, 22:43

It could well be down to a poor connection on one of the plugs on the back of the dash, lovely job getting it out, remove steering wheel etc.

pitw · Post by **pitw** » 12 Sep 2011, 17:57

got it out. bit of an arse to find all the screws but easier than i thought it was gonna be. didn't have to take steering wheel off. now looking at a blue and a yellow multiplug with no idea how i'm gonna test the connectors or instrument panel. probably gonna try and source a replacement and hope for the best.