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360 Instrument panel backlighting

Discussion in '360/430' started by pwhite, Dec 14, 2009.

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  1. pwhite

    pwhite Rookie

    Nov 23, 2009
    6
    Wales, U.K.
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    Peter White
    #1 pwhite, Dec 14, 2009
    I am hoping somebody on FerrariChat can help me. I live in Wales and I am a member of Club Scuderia. I have posted this same thread on that forum but nobody has been able to help me. I have a Year 2000 F1 360 which had no dash backlighting when I bought it. I purchased a new backlighting panel from the USA and installed it myself(at the sametime changing the rev counter dial to yellow.. thanks for the helpful threads on this forum)) everything worked fine for 2 weeks but then the backlighting failed again. Am I just unlucky with the new backlighting panel and it has failed prematurely, or is there anything else that could cause this ? I have a X on the backlighting intensity display which makes me wonder if there is any way of disabling the backlighting which I have inadvertently activated(the handbook makes no reference to this). Could it be the two bush button switches which are used to adjust the intensity ? Any suggestions/comments gratefully received.
    Pete
     
  2. brokenarrow

    brokenarrow F1 Rookie

    Sep 25, 2006
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    Bill
    #2 brokenarrow, Dec 14, 2009
    There's only one variable controller that adjusts intensity.

    Do all of the guages function properly?

    Any other symptoms?

    Have you checked the fuses and bulb?
     
  3. pwhite

    pwhite Rookie

    Nov 23, 2009
    6
    Wales, U.K.
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    Peter White
    #3 pwhite, Dec 14, 2009
    Hi, first of all thanks for your thread,with pictures, of changing the rev counter dial, it was extremely useful when I was doing the same job and replacing the dash backlighting panel at the same time.
    All the gauges work (although I didn't take the car out of the garage, so can't be certain that the speedometer works), needles illuminate, just appears to be the backlighting that has packed up.
    I have checked fuses 7 and 14 in the luggage compartment which, according to the handbook, are associated with the instruments. Both OK. Are there any other fuses that you know I should check ? Also, I am not sure what you mean by bulb, I assume you mean the backlighting panel which was new and worked just a couple of times.
    Thanks for your help.
    Pete
     
  4. brokenarrow

    brokenarrow F1 Rookie

    Sep 25, 2006
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    #4 brokenarrow, Dec 14, 2009
    No problem--glad the write-up was of use to you.

    Are you SURE the guages are reading?

    I would check ALL the fuses. Don't just look at them either, use an ohm meter or continuity tester as sometimes they blow at the end and look good to the naked eye.

    I would turn off the electrical while you performed these checks!!!!!
     
  5. fc2

    fc2 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Nov 2, 2006
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    Silicon Valley Ca.
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    Frank C.
    #5 fc2, Dec 14, 2009
    The 360 Gauge Cluster is sensitive to voltage spikes. There have been a number of reports of failed clusters from people who were doing work on their cars.

    If you're now on your 2nd gauge cluster, I think it's pretty clear there's an electrical problem somewhere that you need to find before installing a third cluster.
     
  6. pwhite

    pwhite Rookie

    Nov 23, 2009
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    Wales, U.K.
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    Peter White
    #6 pwhite, Dec 15, 2009
    Hi,thanks for your post. I have only replaced the dash backlighting panel (which necessitates partially stripping down the cluster) and not the whole instrument cluster. At least it has only cost me £173 so far and not the cost of a whole cluster. If there is a voltage spike causing the backlighting panel to burn out it doesn't seem to have any effect on anything else.
    Pete
     
  7. rustybits

    rustybits F1 Rookie
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    Jan 28, 2007
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    Eddie B
    #7 rustybits, Dec 15, 2009
    Stick a voltmeter across your battery and see what the alternator is putting out. Exessive charging can damage many things, the illumination of the dash pack being one of them. Run the car with the lights on and take the voltage reading, then post the results. It could also be that you were just unlucky and bought a duff illumination strip.
     
  8. pwhite

    pwhite Rookie

    Nov 23, 2009
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    Peter White
    #8 pwhite, Dec 15, 2009
    Thanks, will do as soon as I can. I am away over Xmas and the weather over here is bad at the moment; a lot of salt on the road, which doesn't encourage me to take the car out.
    Pete
     
  9. rustybits

    rustybits F1 Rookie
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    #9 rustybits, Dec 15, 2009
    The weather over there is bad most of the time isn't it? Glad i don't live in the U.K anymore!!!!
     
  10. pwhite

    pwhite Rookie

    Nov 23, 2009
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    Peter White
    #10 pwhite, Dec 15, 2009
    Just realised that I am being an idiot ! I don't need to take the car out to check the alternator output. Will do it as soon as possible.
     
  11. fc2

    fc2 F1 Veteran
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    Nov 2, 2006
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    #11 fc2, Dec 15, 2009
    :D

    Happens to us all... good luck diagnosing the problem.
     
  12. pwhite

    pwhite Rookie

    Nov 23, 2009
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    Peter White
    #12 pwhite, Dec 16, 2009
    Now done, results are...
    1. Without engine running 13.33 V
    2. With engine running 14.52 V
    3. With engine running and lights on 14.50 V

    Does this throw any light on the problem ?
    Pete
     

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