Instrument Cluster

[Jarred]

Hi all.

Finally got around to visiting a Auto Electrician today, to look at getting my fuel and temp gauge's fixed.

He quoted my 80 odd bucks, just to assess what's wrong, let alone, fixing anything.

So I'm starting to think. "actually. No." But with Nats coming up, it's something I really need to look at!

It's been suggested that the voltage reg is busted. How hard is it to test for and fix this if it's broken?

Is it worth the hassle, or should I just get a "new" cluster and stick my old speedo into the "new" one (to keep the Kms orig)

Any other suggestions. I understand electronics, in theory, but my practical application is somewhat lacking!

Thanks in Advance.

[XXX-1.8T]

Hi Jarred,

I have a brand new voltage regulator that i didnt have a chance on putting on my Mk1.

You can have it for $30 + postage.

May come in handy in the future.

cheers,
Costa....

[Jarred]

Thanks Costa. Will keep that in mind. ( have to check it's the voltage Reg first though! )

[Peter Jones]

It'll be the reg or the flexible cct board for sure.

Make sure your engine earths are sound first or you'll blow it up again.

It's all easy to get apart, the reg is a small black plastic component about 1cm square with 3 pins on the back of the clock/tacho. There's only one screw holding it in, then it just unplugs.

As for testing it search around in here for the pinouts, someone has posted them before.

If you've got enough length on the loom cabling test the voltage at each of the pins. One should be 0 (earth) one will be +12/ battery voltage and the other will be the regulated voltage which I think is about 7v.

Check for burnt out tracks on the flexible circuit board.

Make sure you check all the globes while it's out.

Happy hunting

Pete

[gtimk5]

Diagnosis costs time and so $80 is reasonable I reckon.

It troubles me when people balk at costs sometimes. It costs us to equip ourselves with equipment and the correct tools to do the job plus pay for premises and yet some people expect charity.
Having said that, I would first be checking the voltage stabiliser and earths.

[Jarred]

is it 1 or 2, or somewhere else?



And andrew I tend to agree. Sure you have costs and everything. But I thought it was a bit steep, to just check something out.

and besides; I'm a uni student, so naturally a cahirty case!

[gtimk5]

Its 1 mate
Cheers!!

[Peter Jones]

$80 is probably about right to dive in behind an unfamiliar dashboard and work out what's going on. It would probably take about an hour to pull it all apart, figure out what's wrong and put it all back together again.

If it still has all the original screws, the radio has to come out too which the quote has to allow for.

Both my Golfs have had that screw removed so I can get the cluster in and out easily.

Odd thing is that people would expect that quotation price to come off the repair price even though the sparky would still have to do the bulk of the work again.

At $80 the sparky is still gambling that he can figure it out in an hour or so, if it takes longer he's out of pocket.

Owning a car is expensive, but MK1's are really pretty cheap to maintain compared to Mk5s.

Pete

[Peter Jones]

is it 1 or 2, or somewhere else?



And andrew I tend to agree. Sure you have costs and everything. But I thought it was a bit steep, to just check something out.

and besides; I'm a uni student, so naturally a cahirty case!

No 1 is the reg
No 2 is a light globe! turn it 90 degrees and it will come out.


Pete

[Jarred]

screws? there are screws that are meant to hold the cluster in??

hahhah Not on mine!

i'll got plug it back in once the car is running (batt's not in atm even) and then poke around with the dooover thingy.

[Peter Jones]

screws? there are screws that are meant to hold the cluster in??

Yep that black steel clip just to the right of where you drew the 2 should have a self tapper in it. Don't bother putting one in there though it's a PITA to get out.

Pete

[Jarred]

Yep that black steel clip just to the right of where you drew the 2 should have a self tapper in it. Don't bother putting one in there though it's a PITA to get out.

Pete

Oh yea, I see it. meh. Due to the dash being warped like it is, the cluster is naturally, well, 'stuck' in

did a quick search for the 'pinouts', came up empty handed.



So does anyone know which is whic (earth, +12V, +7V reg, with 1,2,3) or do I just need to make a circuit and test it with a multi?

[K_Man]

screws? there are screws that are meant to hold the cluster in??

hahhah Not on mine!

LOL, I can remove mine in about 30 sec, had to do it too many times already! Playing with electrics sucks, I feel your pain

[Peter Jones]

Josh asked the same question about the regulator in 2005, you guys need to talk more

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=156&highlight=regulator

I'll have a look at one of my stuffed clusters and work out the pin out for you If I can't see it online anywhere.

Pete

[Peter Jones]

I knew I'd seen it here somewhere.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=2388&highlight=voltage

top - 12V constant
middle - Earth
bottom - power supply/charging voltage

Pete