Problem with interior lights (dash illumination and dimming)
05-02-2008, 04:44 PM
#46
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
I will put everything back together and report back with an update then.
05-02-2008, 05:44 PM
#48
Ryan,
Did you hook up the ground wire from the pod to the chassis while you were testing. A poor or no ground will do funny things to your switches, fuses and lighting.
Dennis
Did you hook up the ground wire from the pod to the chassis while you were testing. A poor or no ground will do funny things to your switches, fuses and lighting.
Dennis
05-02-2008, 08:19 PM
#49
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Dennis,
I dont remember disconnecting a ground. The pod came out pretty easily. I remember only the 4 hex bolts holding it in place
I dont remember disconnecting a ground. The pod came out pretty easily. I remember only the 4 hex bolts holding it in place
05-03-2008, 10:41 AM
#50
Ryan,
The ground would be too large for the multipin connector. Could they have been grounded to the chassis through the mounting bolts?
Dennis
The ground would be too large for the multipin connector. Could they have been grounded to the chassis through the mounting bolts?
Dennis
Last edited by Dennis Wilson; 05-03-2008 at 05:54 PM.
05-13-2008, 06:30 PM
#53
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
ha yeah right, you should see the interior now. Console is out for ac actuator replacement and some other stuff. If i get on it i could have it all back together in a few hours. I want to put everything back together and make sure that the defrost works correctly before reinstalling the pod.
No update yet
No update yet
05-13-2008, 07:32 PM
#54
Done With Sidepatch
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
ha yeah right, you should see the interior now. Console is out for ac actuator replacement and some other stuff. If i get on it i could have it all back together in a few hours. I want to put everything back together and make sure that the defrost works correctly before reinstalling the pod.
No update yet
No update yet
06-16-2008, 02:45 PM
#56
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Ok i am still having this issue and need some help here.
The dash is back in the car. While it was out i took a look at all my wiring under there to see if i could find anything suspicious that could be the cause of this illumination issue in my centerconsole. I found nothing and tied off the wiring really nice and added some friction type electrical tape to some stuff to make sure everything is nice and tight.
The pod is all reinstalled and everything there works except when the lights go on the cluster which goes dark. It should dim but not go out. When the #9 fuse for illumination blows the instrument cluster goes back to the daylight mode where the bulbs are on.
So my issue is a fuse is blowing which takes out the evening mode of the cluster. But I cannot get the centerconsole to illuminate at all. The AC head unit is dark, and the clock and ashtray dont illuminate. I have been unable to get the lighting in these units to work as they should.
What the hell is going on here?
I think my problem lies in the center console wiring or something but i looked over EVERYTHING AND SEE NOTHING SUSPECT. When i turn the lights on the fuse blows.
Also the new dimmer switch changes nothing for illumination. So if anyone wants an airbag dimmer switch let me know.
Is there something else, some other fuse, some relay SOMETHING that can be the cause of all this misery?
The dash is back in the car. While it was out i took a look at all my wiring under there to see if i could find anything suspicious that could be the cause of this illumination issue in my centerconsole. I found nothing and tied off the wiring really nice and added some friction type electrical tape to some stuff to make sure everything is nice and tight.
The pod is all reinstalled and everything there works except when the lights go on the cluster which goes dark. It should dim but not go out. When the #9 fuse for illumination blows the instrument cluster goes back to the daylight mode where the bulbs are on.
So my issue is a fuse is blowing which takes out the evening mode of the cluster. But I cannot get the centerconsole to illuminate at all. The AC head unit is dark, and the clock and ashtray dont illuminate. I have been unable to get the lighting in these units to work as they should.
What the hell is going on here?
I think my problem lies in the center console wiring or something but i looked over EVERYTHING AND SEE NOTHING SUSPECT. When i turn the lights on the fuse blows.
Also the new dimmer switch changes nothing for illumination. So if anyone wants an airbag dimmer switch let me know.
Is there something else, some other fuse, some relay SOMETHING that can be the cause of all this misery?
06-16-2008, 03:56 PM
#57
Rennlist Member
It sounds like everything is fine until you put your headlights on and the night-mode dash lighting comes on, right? If so, it's gotta be a short in that night-mode wiring, maybe in the pod or maybe in the center console (unless anyone knows of something else that changes lighting when the headlights come on?).
I realize this confirmation might not be particularly helpful, but that's where your problem has to be.
I realize this confirmation might not be particularly helpful, but that's where your problem has to be.
06-16-2008, 04:16 PM
#59
Electron Wrangler
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Ryan - since you suspect something in the console disconnect as much of it as possible. Remove the AC head unit (plugs) the AC/Central lock switch panel (plugs), the Ashtray light connection (BK/BL) and the clock connection (BK/BL), also remove the radio/head unit plug (it may have illumination).
Does the fuse still blow ? if yes - disconnect the pod connectors - leave the main lightswitch connected - remove all the other pod switch connectors - does it still blow? if yes remove the main connector to the mirror memory unit... now?
when it stops blowing fuses - start connecting things back one by one and see when it blows again...
It could be as simple as a bulb installed badly shorting out in any of these items - you need to narrow it down systematically first - if it is none of these - there are some more things to try - but its likely you will find it this way...
Alan
Does the fuse still blow ? if yes - disconnect the pod connectors - leave the main lightswitch connected - remove all the other pod switch connectors - does it still blow? if yes remove the main connector to the mirror memory unit... now?
when it stops blowing fuses - start connecting things back one by one and see when it blows again...
It could be as simple as a bulb installed badly shorting out in any of these items - you need to narrow it down systematically first - if it is none of these - there are some more things to try - but its likely you will find it this way...
Alan
06-16-2008, 06:06 PM
#60
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Alan,
I will try your suggestions.
A few things i want to add, or clarify
1) The AC does not illuminate, nor does the clock or ashtray light at all. No matter if the fuse is new or if its blown, lights on or off. I cannot get the center console to turn on at all.
2) Starting with the lights off, and the #9 fuse replaced. When i switch on the headlamps the fuse doesnt immediately blow. What does happen is that the cluster goes from being in day light mode, to going completely dark and the AC HU and clock and ashtray light dont iluminate. When i turn the dimmer switch even a small amount, i hear a pop (the fuse) and then the cluster turns on so it seems, but it is just going back to daylight more. (The headlamp switch is on) So it seems i am not getting power to ONE item that would then turn on the bulbs for the AC the clock, ashtray and cluster in evening mode.
So my center console has no illumination and the cluster has no illumination when the lights are switched on. Touching the dimmer switch will pop the fuse and i am back to square one.
Some notes since you mentioned the memory switch: The door panels are off, the memory switch is disconnected and the lighting in the doors is disconnected.
Also i recall that the lamps in the door were not turning on when the door was opened previously when they were connected just before i reinstalled the POD.
I hate to have to tear into the dash again, and heaven forbid i have to pull the pod again! But i really want to solve this mystery. (At least i know how to do it and think i could have it in and out in short order)
I will try your suggestions.
A few things i want to add, or clarify
1) The AC does not illuminate, nor does the clock or ashtray light at all. No matter if the fuse is new or if its blown, lights on or off. I cannot get the center console to turn on at all.
2) Starting with the lights off, and the #9 fuse replaced. When i switch on the headlamps the fuse doesnt immediately blow. What does happen is that the cluster goes from being in day light mode, to going completely dark and the AC HU and clock and ashtray light dont iluminate. When i turn the dimmer switch even a small amount, i hear a pop (the fuse) and then the cluster turns on so it seems, but it is just going back to daylight more. (The headlamp switch is on) So it seems i am not getting power to ONE item that would then turn on the bulbs for the AC the clock, ashtray and cluster in evening mode.
So my center console has no illumination and the cluster has no illumination when the lights are switched on. Touching the dimmer switch will pop the fuse and i am back to square one.
Some notes since you mentioned the memory switch: The door panels are off, the memory switch is disconnected and the lighting in the doors is disconnected.
Also i recall that the lamps in the door were not turning on when the door was opened previously when they were connected just before i reinstalled the POD.
I hate to have to tear into the dash again, and heaven forbid i have to pull the pod again! But i really want to solve this mystery. (At least i know how to do it and think i could have it in and out in short order)