Renault Megane Scenic 1.6 (2004) - DASHBOARD LIGHTS OUT!?

[BloodRedWords]

My dashboard/instrument lights have gone out completely!?

Initially, there was an intermittent fault (i.e. dash went black then appeared again – often whilst driving). Now it’s gone for good!!

Lights, Indicators etc all work fine.

All fuses are OK – but now my Radio won’t work as it died when I removed fuse to check it and I can’t see the dashboard numbers to re-enter code!!!

QUESTION 1:
Is this a common fault and is there a simple 'fix' that anyone knows about?

QUESTION 2:
Does this sound like the Dashboard Cluster, Component (e.g. Relay) or some kind of 'Mother-board' failure?

QUESTION 3:
If I need to replace the whole cluster – as a unit – How do I get the old one out? There doesn’t seem to be any obvious way of getting the old one out? Also, where can I get one from that I can be sure will work 9and how much do they cost - approx.)?

QUESTION 4:
If I get it out, is it simple to re-fit (i.e. is it just a push-fit connector to re-attach electrics etc?

QUESTION 5:
Do I need to remove the whole dash-board? If so, how?

QUESTION 6:
Is the above 'do-able' by a layman (i.e. me) or will I need to get it done through a Main Dealer or similar?

I know I've asked loads of questions but I'm completely stuffed at the moment - especially at this time of year! Your help is much appreciated.

[dr.lovexxx]

Hi, Sorry to hear about your problem.

1/ Yes it is a very common problem. There is a high failure rate on the instrument display. Renault won't admit it. They have beefed up the components that fail on the new ones. To late for all of us that have the faulty ones.

2/ Yes it's the mother board. One component eventually fails, taking out one or two more in the proccess. You have to repair/replace the whole unit.

3/ If you go to Renault it will cost you over £500 upwards and you get a 1 year garantee. You can get it repaired for £200 and get a 2 year garantee from a couple of companies that I will give details for at the end. You will have to remove/replace the unit yourself, which is quite straight forward.
To get the unit out you first remove the two part plastic surround. There is a top and bottom part to the surround. Start with the top part by taking a large flat bladed screwdriver and from underneath the instrument hood insert the screwdriver between the plastic surround and the soft dashboard material and slide underneath a little. Pull down and the first clip should release. Work your way along the top edge pulling down until all the clips are released. Then just pull and wiggle the top surround and it will come out.
The bottom is similar but use a slightly smaller flat bladed screwdriver as this bottom part of the surround is a tighter fit. Start on the right and push the screwdriver underneath the plastic surround. Watch not to mark the soft dash material. Pull up the way and the clip should release. Work to the left repeating this until the bottom edge all the way along is unclipped. Only two clips are now holding it in higher up now (one either side). Tilt the from edge up of the pannel then hold at each end and pull and wiggle it will come out.
You can now remove the display. First start with the connector to the left at the top of the display. You will see a black plastic lever on the right of the connector. Just behind this there is a clip you have to press in to release the lever. While pushing the clip down pull the lever up and to the left then pull it all the way to the left hand side. The connector is now unlocked and can be wiggled out of its socket.
The connector on the right also has a black lever but no clip so just lift it up on the left hand side and pull it over to the right this will pull the connector out as you move it over. Now unroute the cables working to your right until they are free from the display.
To remove the dislay you need a torx screwdriver of the correct size. The display is held by two black torx screws (one either side of the display). Remove the two screws making sure you don't drop them down the inside of the dash. The display now just lifts out.

4/ To refit is just the removal proccess in reverse. When you put the top part of the surround back make sure you line up the right hand side at the top correctly or it doesn't want to go in easily.

5/ No you don't need to remove the whole dash.

6/ Yes it is do-able. Renault will take 3 times the money and will take longer to get it fixed. These companies get the repaired unit back to you in 48 hours. It may take a bit longer at this time of year though, but so will Renault.

When the unit is away the car will still start and drive but remember you will have no instruments. If you get stopped by the police you will get nicked. So take off the orange sticker that is stuck to the dash where the instruments were (it stands out like a sore thumb). If you get stopped switch of the engine before plod gets up to the car. They will just think you've switch the engine off and won't notice no instruments. Don't start the car until he has walked away. If you have a tom tom sat. nav. use it ever time you use the car and make sure its speedo function is switched on and you will know what speed you are doing. Your indicators still work you just can't hear/see them on the dash. Make sure you fill up with fuel.

Two companies to deal with (especially the first one).

ECU TESTING LTD
23A CHURCH STREET
EASTWOOD
NOTTINGHAM
NG16 3HP
(01773)535638

They are on the internet.


BBA-reman
Unit1 stirling park
Laker road
Rochester
Kent
ME1 3QR
(01634)687222

They are also on the internet.


Make sure you package it up well with foam/bubble wrap.

Best of luck.

[BloodRedWords]

Merry Christmas dr.lovexxx!

That is the most comprehensive and helpful email I have received in years and I thank you truly for taking the time to describe and detail the solution to my (and many others by the sound of it) problem!

Everything you say makes sense and the symptoms are spot on!
I now feel a bit more confident about tackling this myself.

I thought it had to be straightforward but just needed guidance from someone 'in-the-know'!

This shall be my first job in the new year as there's no way I will get any joy over Crimbo!

Thanks also for the repair contacts and the sensible advice about substitute speedo whilst panel is being repaired - I'll use my Garmin.

I've already got my "... it just went blank about 10 minutes ago officer ..." speech prepared but I note your good advice about removing the 'dayglo' sticker!

I'll let you know how I get on in the new year - just for interest.

Once again, many many thanks and have a great Christmas my friend!

[dr.lovexxx]

Hi, No problem.
If you think that reply was comprehensive you should have seen the first one I typed. It didn't go through for some reason and then I lost it before I could resend it, so I typed an abridged version the second time cos it was getting late.
If you use the first company and in the highly unlikely event that your unit is OK (trust me it's faulty), they only charge £25 for testing it. You will then be able to rule out the display. If you took it to a Renault garage they charge £60 to do a diagnostic test and if it's still intermitent and is working when you take it in they will tell you there is no fault, but still charge you the £60.
Don't laugh but you could also try Renault costomer services to see if they will part fund the repair. With your car being an 04 plate and well beyond it's waranty I doubt if they will pay up anything.

Advice to anybody else who has this problem, press Renault hard if your car is just over the 3 years old. Tell them you know that it is a known fault. Tell them you know other people with the same problem. Stress your mileage is less than 60k if it is. Point out any other faults you've had with the car. Ask why have they redesigned/beefed up components in the new ones if there was no problems with the old ones? If you have bought Renaults in the past and take it to a Renault dealership for services tell them you have been a loyal customer but not any more. Get your dealership involved, especialy if you've bought from them in the past. Tell them you will go to the Motor Manufacturers Association (they have a website you can complain on). Tell them you will put a complaint into the BBC watchdog prog. (they have a website also). Tell them it's your only car and it's used for driving the family about in as well as for work. Push them hard but politely and don't accept their first offer. If all or most of these apply to you they may make an offer of paying 50%, do not buckle, stay cool and press for more. If they ask how much you are willing to pay then only offer 10% it has been known for them to go for that. Please note, this only applies if your car is just out of waranty by a few months and doesn't have high mileage.

All the best. If you have any more questions please ask and I will try and help.

[BloodRedWords]

Happy New Year dr.lovexxx!

Just thought I'd make contact again to thank you and close off this topic!

Basically, I tried a number of Breaker's Yards to see if I could source a second-hand dashboard unit before going down the repair route (due to cost at that time-of-year) - I was prepared to take a risk on a £70 s/h part first to see what happened!

Anyway, after a number of false hopes and stupidly high price offers (£200+ for un-warranted s/h parts) I decided to bite the bullet with the repair!

However, a work colleague suggested checking out eBay first, which I did. And sure enough, after typing in 'Renault Megane Scenic Dashboard/Instrument Panel/Cluster' (or something like that) there appeared a company on there with a regular slot who specialise in this exact repair work on a number of vehicles - including my Renault!

And guess who they were? ECU Testing Ltd - one of the companies you had suggested!

Their eBay offer has a 'Buy It Now' price of £195 + £8.80 Postage but the good news is they have a 'Best Offer' button, which I pressed and offered £180. This was accepted!

So I finally sent my unit off on Friday 09 Jan. They received it on Sat 10 Jan. They repaired it on Sun 11 or Mon 12. It was despatched back to me on Mon 12. I received it on Tues 13 and fitted it same day! And the whole transaction cost me precisely £188.80 (plus my own courier cost).

What great service!

And they were also very helpful when I called them (as I had a slight hick-up on re-fitting - Radio Display didn't show as I hadn't seated the right-hand connector properly!).

As you said in your earlier reply, the unit comes with 2 Years Warranty (Warranty Certificate was supplied with the unit when returned), whereas Renault charge you £600+ and only offer 6 Months Warranty. And these guys use to work directly for Renault so they know exactly what's what!

Once again, many thanks for your help and advice.

I hope anyone reading this with the same problem takes the same advice as it's spot on and first rate!

Have a great 2009 dr.lovexxx you deserve it!

BloodRedWords

[uncle buck]

Another repair company to add to the list....

http://www.clusterrepairsuk.co.uk/

[JM93]

A member of family's car has this similar problem.


I am wondering if you will have to re-program the new piece in to the car's computers, or can it be just connected, and 'away you go', so to speak?


Thanks!

[R9UKE]

OK, a few things have changed since the initial problems surfacing. Renault have now accepted the fault and supply and fit brand new dashboards for a fixed price of 100 pounds. It is a "plug and play" item but the car actually remembers the mileage on the dash, not in the ECU. So, once Renault fit the new unit, it will read 0 miles - but they provide plenty of documentation and proof of a dash change including how many miles were on the car before (to add onto whatever the new dash displays). Very important for selling the car again, as a Scénic that's had a dash change without Renault paperwork to back up the total mileage is very undesirable on the used car market!