C5 X7 2013 instruments fading

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Paul-R
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C5 X7 2013 instruments fading

Unread post by Paul-R »

VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

The instrument panel has been giving me a little problem for quite a few months. It started with the parts of the speedo in the centre going less bright and then coming back as the car warmed up. I don't use the car as much as I used to but today, after being driven for well over an hour it barely became visible.

As can be seen in the first photo the white parts are there, although the centre figures are not as bright as they should be. It's the orange bits that are a real problem. The outer Km/h circle is just about visible but everything in the rectangle is unusable. The figures are there in the second photo. By fiddling with the brightness and contrast settings in my photo editor they're a little more visible but obviously this isn't viable on the move

Has this happened to anyone before and did they find a fix? I suspect it might faulty connections. At least I hope it is.

I suspect I'll have to remove the instrument panel. @GiveMeABreak do we have access to instructions for this?
IMG_20240718_181407a.jpg
IMG_20240718_181407b.jpg
In the first photo you can see that a few segments in the LH red temperature gauge are missing. Earlier in the trip more were missing and later they all came back. That's reasonably new. Only a week or two I think.
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steveclv
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Re: C5 X7 2013 instruments fading

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I don't know if this might help?

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GiveMeABreak
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Re: C5 X7 2013 instruments fading

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Paul-R wrote: 18 Jul 2024, 22:40 I suspect I'll have to remove the instrument panel. @GiveMeABreak do we have access to instructions for this?
Not at present, but I can assemble one for you. I'll update this post with the link when I'm done.

Link:

C5 X7 Instrument Panel Removal & Refit
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Marc
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Paul-R
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Re: C5 X7 2013 instruments fading

Unread post by Paul-R »

And copied and pasted. Ta!
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson
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Paul-R
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Re: C5 X7 2013 instruments fading

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steveclv wrote: 19 Jul 2024, 09:48 I don't know if this might help?
Haha, two minutes

IF you've already got the cluster out of the car and...
IF you can work at 1.5 to 2.0 times normal speed and...
IF you have a handy hot air desoldering gun and...
IF you have some white LEDs hanging about and finally...
If you trust yourself soldering surface mount devices.

EDIT
Actually some useful information in the comments about applying power to "pin 1 (+12V) and 3(GND). It will start with no CAN but you will get "---" on displays. CAN is on pin 2 and 4. Pins are numbered on the plug."
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson
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GiveMeABreak
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Re: C5 X7 2013 instruments fading

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

Of course the easiest option is replacement, but at a cost for a new one, Part: 9809868180, £1219.92. This is a superseded part number and will require configuring, as the pre-configured instrument panels are no longer available.
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Paul-R
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Re: C5 X7 2013 instruments fading

Unread post by Paul-R »

Replacement never entered my head! Especially a new one. Although I doubt configuring a virgin panel is very easy.
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson
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GiveMeABreak
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Re: C5 X7 2013 instruments fading

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

If considering replacing with a used one - try to get one off the same vehicle, same year, same engine, same gearbox and trim level and remember the mileage will assume the highest between the panel and BSI.
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steveclv
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Re: C5 X7 2013 instruments fading

Unread post by steveclv »

.... or learn to solder surface mounts :) :) :)

Actually you could probably take the circuit board to a local company to get repaired.
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Paul-R
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Re: C5 X7 2013 instruments fading

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First thing I'm going to do is connect 12v as per the help given in the video replies. See if everything lights up fully. Then a dose of Super Servisol 10 contact cleaner on all the plugs and sockets. Reconnect to car and see if that has done any good. Only then bring out the big magnifying glass to look at the solder joints.
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson
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Paul-R
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Re: C5 X7 2013 instruments fading

Unread post by Paul-R »

@GiveMeABreak
Any chance you could post the details for lowering the steering column? I'm just not able to ease the instrument panel past the steering wheel.
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson
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GiveMeABreak
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Re: C5 X7 2013 instruments fading

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

I've been off for a few days and working through a hundred posts at the moment. In know it likely involves removing the driver's knee airbag and other parts, so I'll try and get round to it when I can Paul.
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GiveMeABreak
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Re: C5 X7 2013 instruments fading

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

I'll have a look at this Friday for you, but it will take a while as there are three procedures to write up - The Driver's Steering Column Airbag, the Steering Wheel Controls Module and the Steering Wheel, - which may mean recalibrating the steering wheel angle sensor too - but can't say for sure.
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Paul-R
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Re: C5 X7 2013 instruments fading

Unread post by Paul-R »

I'm hoping that I'll be able to partially lower the column enough without complete dismantling. If not then I have recalibrated the steering wheel angle sensor on my Mk1 C5 years ago and didn't find it very difficult. Hopefully the process will be similar.
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson
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GiveMeABreak
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Re: C5 X7 2013 instruments fading

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Please note, I'm no longer active on the Forum, so won't respond to messages.

Marc