Instrument cluster shut down...
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
Instrument cluster shut down...
OK, not as bad as shifting into park, but...
Today it was raining buckets. I drove about half a mile and suddenly all the lights in the dash cluster went out and all of the needles (tach, speedo, fuel and oil pressure) dropped to zero. The mileage indicator came (stayed) on (it had been on on the trip computer). The engine kept running and it drove like nothing was happening. I'm not sure what the gear indicator did. After 20 or 30 seconds, it flickered a couple of times then came back. The trip computer (miles, mileage, mph and time) reset as did the same display that is supposed to be only manually reset. This repeated two more times, minus the flickering, on a 1 mile trip. On the return trip I had my phone ready to record it, and nothing went wrong.
Should I worry? Should I try to scan it for codes?
TIA,
John
Today it was raining buckets. I drove about half a mile and suddenly all the lights in the dash cluster went out and all of the needles (tach, speedo, fuel and oil pressure) dropped to zero. The mileage indicator came (stayed) on (it had been on on the trip computer). The engine kept running and it drove like nothing was happening. I'm not sure what the gear indicator did. After 20 or 30 seconds, it flickered a couple of times then came back. The trip computer (miles, mileage, mph and time) reset as did the same display that is supposed to be only manually reset. This repeated two more times, minus the flickering, on a 1 mile trip. On the return trip I had my phone ready to record it, and nothing went wrong.
Should I worry? Should I try to scan it for codes?
TIA,
John
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2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
My initial thought was "something electrical got loose", but if a power off on cycle happened, it maybe more likely it's related to the ECU.
Certainly might be beneficial to run a scan 👍
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OBTW, when the rain stopped the temperature dropped from 50 to 10F
Checked for codes. There was something like C15000 - lost communication with instrument cluster. Several others related to steering column functions, specifically turn signals and gear selector module. Can't figure out how to view the log from the scanner
.
I once said I never wanted to deal with a car with ignition points again, but I'm rethinking that...
Checked for codes. There was something like C15000 - lost communication with instrument cluster. Several others related to steering column functions, specifically turn signals and gear selector module. Can't figure out how to view the log from the scanner
.I once said I never wanted to deal with a car with ignition points again, but I'm rethinking that...
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I would hope they are hard-wired , but who knows these days.
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I'm assuming a hard wired data link.
My guess is some circuit lost power and affected the cluster and steering column. Why, and whether or not it had anything to do with the monsoon, I'd like to know.
My guess is some circuit lost power and affected the cluster and steering column. Why, and whether or not it had anything to do with the monsoon, I'd like to know.
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Certainly it's hard-wired. The word "communications" does not imply, in any way, the technology used for the communications. Could be copper wires, light pulses, Radio Frequency, a cable on pulleys, varying hydraulic pressure, waved flags etc. etc.
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
I think he meant "sensor sends current to gauge to move pointer" vs. "sensor sends signal to processor that sends digital signal to instrument cluster processor to move gauge needle".
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2011 GLK350
Maybe check if the steering lock is working properly. Just a thought. I know when they go bad they go bad immediately but who knows. The cold weather makes these cars act funny. I put up a thread about mine acting a bit up during this cold.
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2011 GLK350
It kind of looks like a battery issue. Maybe not enough voltage. These cars are very finicky about that. Check there. Make sure you have enough charge in the battery and that the alternator is charging properly as well.
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Thanks for the responses.
The temperature when it happened was above 50 degrees F. (6 hours later it was closer to 15 degrees...)
The battery was replaced in January of this year with an Odyssey battery and I have a volt meter in the cigar lighter socket. Everything seems normal. I didn't think to look at the voltmeter when this was happening.
The temperature when it happened was above 50 degrees F. (6 hours later it was closer to 15 degrees...)
The battery was replaced in January of this year with an Odyssey battery and I have a volt meter in the cigar lighter socket. Everything seems normal. I didn't think to look at the voltmeter when this was happening.
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2013 glk 350
You didn’t test the battery ? You don’t know the voltage ? My alternator Regulator wore out at 70,000 miles , the brushes were too short , it was not charging all the time . I suspect it’s just moisture and corroded connections but a weak battery makes things go bad. Just because you have a new battery doesn’t mean the system is charging it . Mine would charge from 40% to 80%. With a new 120$ regulator it now keeps 80-92% charged. I found out it was failing by chance. With a remote CTEK battery monitor and app.
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
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From: WI
GLK 250
If the battery checks out, have we considered a SAM issue? I know back when I kept my GLK parked outside in bad rainstorms it would act all kinds of weird with electrical issues.
I would check the SAM for corrosion.
I would check the SAM for corrosion.
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2011 GLK350
The cold affected mine with vibration in the engine. I think it was that. My mechanic said well the mounts are liquid filled that may be why! I did fill up my gas tank since it had like a quart and it is smooth again. However the sun is out and we are like 75 so who knows.
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The cold affected mine with vibration in the engine. I think it was that. My mechanic said well the mounts are liquid filled that may be why! I did fill up my gas tank since it had like a quart and it is smooth again. However the sun is out and we are like 75 so who knows.
We had our last sub-freezing night last night, but it's up to 72°f here in Magnolia TX. 👍Anyway, back last Fri or Sat, I made a trip to the grocery in about 34° outdoor temp (prob 1pm or so), and had no issues (2014 GLK350).
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From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
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From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
I found this quote in an article:
"They are usually super reliable and make your car more reliable…unless they get wet."
... found here
https://atlanticmotorcar.com/casestu...ing-sam-happy/
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
Where is it?
When I started working on cars the most complex piece of electronics was the AM radio. When I stopped doing it professionally, oxygen sensors were the new, state of the art thing and 1200 bps (baud) was a high speed data link.
When I started working on cars the most complex piece of electronics was the AM radio. When I stopped doing it professionally, oxygen sensors were the new, state of the art thing and 1200 bps (baud) was a high speed data link.
Last edited by John CC; Dec 28, 2022 at 02:28 PM.
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2011 GLK350
You must be in southern Florida or southern Texas We had our last sub-freezing night last night, but it's up to 72°f here in Magnolia TX. 👍
Anyway, back last Fri or Sat, I made a trip to the grocery in about 34° outdoor temp (prob 1pm or so), and had no issues (2014 GLK350).
We had our last sub-freezing night last night, but it's up to 72°f here in Magnolia TX. 👍Anyway, back last Fri or Sat, I made a trip to the grocery in about 34° outdoor temp (prob 1pm or so), and had no issues (2014 GLK350).
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From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
