JDSStudios

Search gave me nothing on this problem with intermittent dashboard lights.

Could someone please post or point me to a schematic of the dashboard
lights switch?

1. Position 1 and 2, the orange light on dashboard (RPM, Analog speedometer, etc) does not always work.

2. The digital speedometer and OBC are always fine,
but tachometer, temp, and RPM sometimes remain dark

3. Wiggling and tapping all over the dashboard has no effect whatsoever.

4. Turning lights on and off while driving or stopped will turn off and on the
dashboard lights randomly (for example: turning the switch 4 times, may
turn dashboard lights once on the 3rd time only)

5. All other lights always work fine.

aron in toronto

Here is a DIY link for removing the dash pod on a Boxster that may give you some idea of whats involved.

http://boxsters.addr.com/hacks/cluster.htm

and a DIY link for replacing the ignition switch, if that turns out to be your problem.

http://mike.focke.googlepages.com/ig...tchreplacement

These are from Mike Focke's Boxster site, which has is a great collection of Boxster info. Some of wich also applies to the 996,

JDSStudios

Thanks Aron.

I was wondering if I was the only one with this problem.

BillJ

My backlighting is intermittent and the diagnostic at the dealer was the headlight switch so will be replacing that myself shortly. Cost difference is $96 versus $260 for the dealer to do it.

99firehawk

sounds like a head light switch to me

BillJ

Yep headlight switch will be delivered today so will have a nice quick project this weekend. Cant wait!

BillJ

JDS - what did you end up doing?

JDSStudios

The indy says it is the dashboard cluster, because in the schematic there
is a single wire connection, and everything else works fine.

I will be going by in the morning, and later on I will post back.
John

BillJ

so the whole cluster is faulty? Hmmm hope it isnt just the switch. Our symptoms are identical so will let you know if swapping the switches tonight clears me up.

JDSStudios

In the schematic, a single wire goes to a small module the indy referred to
as cluster. However, I still think it is just the light switch.

My appointment got postponed til next Friday. If you get yours done earlier,
I would like to know if it worked.
John

PS I bought my car near you, in Charlotte, NC- do you think it is just a bad batch in your area? just kidding

aron in toronto

I had a similar issue with all the digital gauges. They went dark for about 3 days, but before I could attempt to "fix" them the lights came back on. They've been ok for over a year now. Go figure.

Hope you have good luck as well.

BillJ

JDS -FYI replacing the switch completely corrected the issue. You may want to think twice about replacing an entire cluster for an $83 part that took 5 minutes to switch out....

JDSStudios

Thanks BillJ
Your post just confirmed what I have been thinking.
I just decided to ask the indy to replace the switch only.

From what I read in the forum, that is the common problem, not the cluster
module.

I will post back when it is done.
John

BillJ

For giggles - how much was the cluster module going to cost to replace?

JDSStudios

I never found out, because i did not have an appointment, and he
only checked briefly a schematic he had on his computer.

This would be the first time I would hear about a replacement
on this part.