Instrument cluster lights
#27
The car will work without the cluster installed, HOWEVER you should not drive it. The odometer mileage is stored both in the cluster and int he ignition switch. If these get too far out of sync (I think about 60 miles?) then it locks out the reading and there is no "official" way to fix that. Also, it will generate a hard SRS fault that will need to be cleared using an appropriate diagnostic tool, so to prevent that, son;t even switch on the ignition without the cluster installed.
#29
FWIW I posted in another thread the back light on my fuel gauge is starting to blink on and off. While changing out my steering wheel I pulled the cluster and sprayed out the brightness potentiometer with contact cleaner. Mine looked different from the one in Rudney's FAQ and cleaning it didn't help the issue.
#30
Cluster back lights
I followed what I learned at other post on the subject and it did work. My cluster back light is on again. I opened the cluster and saw that one side of the ribbon cable was lightly lifted. I just pressed it down with the tip of my finger and reinstalled the cluster. To my surprise the back lights are now on. Here's a photo. The photo doesn't show exactly my point but I drew a red arrow showing. My only other issue is that after reinstalling the cluster the SRS warning light turned on together with a warning sign of defective restrain system. It sucks.
#31
Let us know if this fix holds. It may not. Those Mylar ribbon cables are often glued to the physical contacts and they come loose fro heat/vibration. An electronics repair shop might be able to permanently fix it.
As for the SRS light, you probably switched on the ignition with the cluster removed. You'll need to pull the codes and reset them. If you don;t have one, look into the iCarsoft i980 or MBII, or the Autel MD802 Elite/
As for the SRS light, you probably switched on the ignition with the cluster removed. You'll need to pull the codes and reset them. If you don;t have one, look into the iCarsoft i980 or MBII, or the Autel MD802 Elite/
#32
IC back light
I followed what I learned at other post on the subject and it did work. My cluster back light is on again. I opened the cluster and saw that one side of the ribbon cable was lightly lifted. I just pressed it down with the tip of my finger and reinstalled the cluster. To my surprise the back lights are now on. Here's a photo. The photo doesn't show exactly my point but I drew a red arrow showing. My only other issue is that after reinstalling the cluster the SRS warning light turned on together with a warning sign of defective restrain system. It sucks.