My digital display in the pod seems to have one portion that has a dimmer backlight/illumination than the rest of the line (this is the 1 line LED display).

Its not totally gone but is maybe 50-60% as bright as the rest of these - it does not seem to be a specific number of segments - it seems to kind of fade to black here.. does the LED display have a backlight of its own/ use the pod backlighting ? Do the display elements themselves have several resistors on the pod to control brightness?

Before I tear into the Pod (its not urgent) I'd like to have some idea what I'm up against.

The Pod lighting in general seems to be dimmer than when I first got the car... but this has been a gradual issue and not sure if its related. I assume I need to do at least a Bulb change and maybe light guide improvements - maybe do the swap to LED lighting....

For the Digital Display portion I've seen no previous comments on the symptoms I have. The display is still legible - but much less so in daylight - I haven't determined yet if this is an issue with the Amber mode only - since I haven't had any Red alerts recently?

Alan

 

Bump.

 

You mean like this. (see below)

My display was perfect until one day the part of the display where it says "MILES" fades to about half brightness.

It has been that way ever since. The RED still looks perfect though. The red is easy to test on mine since I have the RDK. Just let some air out of the tires.

I had also seen this condition on several other 928's that I was looking at before I bought mine.

Being an electronics engineer I really want to dive in and have a look at whats wrong.

Anybody been there already?

Alan if you go in and find the problem let me know.

Chuck
928 Quest
91 S4

 

Alan & Chuck,
I have been into my pod many times chasing an intermittant fault with my odometer and stop watch function on my digital dash. It took me around 7 months to find the fault, but thats another story.

The electronic part of the dash is backlit by 4 by 12volt 1.5 watt red globes (I just looked up PET).

I cannot remember specifically however I have replace various blown globes, as I have had the pod out three times, but I cannot specifically recall the electronic part except for PET.

The pod/cowl is not too difficult to remove and I'm fortunate to have Porsche's Service Information Trehnik for my 1990 S4 which give an very good description of how to remove the cowl.

Hope this helps

Tails 1990 928 S4 Auto.

 

Interesting post. Still at a loss on what would make the orange dim, but the red look fine. If it was all backlit by the same bulbs I would think both would be the same.

 

Chuck,
Yes mine is very much like yours except my dark patch is to the right of the central section - like yours it just fades to darker no distinct dividing line - does not affect red in any way.

It seems to be a combination of the backlight and the LED segments that are darker - not sure if this is just due to relative contrast or its two seperate effects.

I have not investigated further - but see the other thread of a few days ago on this same issue - maybe someone will have an answer soon.

My car is headed to the shop soon and I won't have a chance to mess with the pod for a few weeks...

I'd like to have a good idea of the fix before I start (to help avoid taking the pod out & back twice!)

Alan

 

Tails,

Do you have the driver side airbag? I have been checking the shop manuals and factory supplements to see how they recommend pulling the wheel with airbags. It looks simple. But I have not had the nerve to pull it yet.

Do you have any helpful pointers that might not be contained in the factory books?

Chuck

 

Done it a few times, no big deal. Disconnect battery, two bolts from behind the wheel need to come out......then the bag comes right out. I believe I read somewhere (manuals) that replacement of the two bolts should be done each time the bag is removed, and that when installed there is a specfic torque amount to be applied to the bolts. I did just what it said, although I believe the bolt replacement is a bit overkill, but can only guess that Porsche was worried about stripped or compromised threads on the bolts affecting airbag performance.......a valid concern.

 

Chuck,

I've had the wheel off but not the pod. The airbag wheel is quite easy.

Two Torx (T30) head screws in the back of the wheel - you probably need a socket wrench with a torx head - they are tight and little room for a screwdriver. I recommend disconnecting the battery - Pull the airbag unit forward for clearance and pull off the connector (a gentle tug - OK a bit harder - just pulls off).

Place the airbag bottom side down/ bag side up (just in case like the FWM says) . Then you can remove the wheel. You need a big (24mm) socket.

Alan

 

I've had the pod off twice. Disconnect the battery because the pod switches can short out against the pod and fry them. I did this to my 86.5 hazard switch and my turn signals would not work. Use a black marker to mark the alignment of the steering wheel on the stalk. After you deal with the three allen bolts the pod pulls forward with some effort.

 

Airbags ....disconnecting the battery does NOT disarm the air bag brain . The brain has a built in "capacitor " and stores enough power to blow the bags with the battery disconnected . I believe it can hold power up to 20 minutes . Use extreme caution the explosive charge is easily triggered . The airbag unit is to always be placed soft side up just in case it gets a spark and blows you get hit by the soft side and not the metal backing plate !

 

Chuck,
Unfortunately I don't have a drivers side air bag as my car is not a US car.

However, there is an extensive section in the Service Information booklet for the 1990 S4 on air bags for US and Canada.

Regards,
TAILS 1990 928 S4 Auto.

 

Thanks guys,

Jim I think I had seen the 20 minute warning for the cap somewhere a few weeks ago, but promptly forgot about it, thanks for the reminder. I may work on it this weekend or early next week. Probably will let it discharge overnight or longer and then take precautions with static and such.

Also thanks Alan, 86_5Tiburon, MikeN, and Tails for the disassembly tips.

I will pass on what I learn.

Chuck

 

Alan, the replacement bulbs did the trick!