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550 Maranello instrument light

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by VS2K, May 13, 2021.

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  1. VS2K

    VS2K Karting

    Aug 24, 2020
    53
    NE
    #1 VS2K, May 13, 2021
    The other day I found the instrument cluster wasn't lighting up my 550. The fog lights work fine but I double checked the fuse anyway and it's fine so it isn't that. Is it very difficult to access the bulb for the cluster to check/change it? Anybody have info on the bulb model number? Thanks
     
  2. rhern213

    rhern213 Formula Junior

    Jan 8, 2021
    578
    Miami, FL
    Full Name:
    Richel
    #2 rhern213, May 13, 2021
    Last edited: May 13, 2021
    The bulbs are on the back of the gauges, and the only way to take the gauges out is to remove the entire dashboard.

    However I find it hard to believe it's the bulbs anyway. There are around 8-10 bulbs that light up the cluster. If all the lights are out, and it's not a fuse, it's way too odd that every single bulb would burn out at the same time. Otherwise you would see patches of dark spots, not the the whole thing blank. And if it's an electrical issue you'd probably have other gauge problems than just the lights.

    Did you check to see if it may be a fault in the light dimmer switch?

    Did you check the fuses for continuity? Many times I've come across fuses that look fine to my eye, but are actually damaged.

    Also I believe the bulbs are independent of the other circuit boards of the cluster. If the bulbs all share a common ground wire and that goes bad it could cause that issue.
     
  3. VS2K

    VS2K Karting

    Aug 24, 2020
    53
    NE
    #3 VS2K, May 13, 2021
    Thanks for your response. I'll definitely check into what you've suggested. It makes sense what you're saying that it's unlikely the bulbs since there are many and they're all not functioning.
     
  4. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    Feb 20, 2015
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    Ian Riddell
    #4 Qavion, May 14, 2021
    Last edited: May 14, 2021
    Are the lights on your centre instrument cluster working ? (Clock, fuel quantity and oil temperature). Also your HVAC control panel? If they are working, it's not a dimmer problem.

    When you turn on your sidelights, does the sidelight on indication show on the dash?

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    The fuse must be ok because your fog lights work.
     
  5. VS2K

    VS2K Karting

    Aug 24, 2020
    53
    NE
    #5 VS2K, May 14, 2021
    I just checked and the sidelight indicator does light up on the dash. Also, the lights behind the buttons in the center console are lighting up when I turn on headlights. However, the speedometer, clock, fuel, oil, etc don't have any backlighting. And turning the dimmer switch has no effect. So I'm thinking it likely is the dimmer switch. But will do further checking.
     
  6. Robbe

    Robbe Formula Junior
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    Aug 22, 2013
    622
    The Netherlands
    #6 Robbe, May 14, 2021
    I had a cracked solder joint in the dimmer, which was easily repaired.
    before that I had the same problem...
    Pushing on the dimmer wheel sometimes made contact (and illumination), that was how I found out it was the dimmer itself and not bulbs or other connections.
     
  7. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    #7 Qavion, May 14, 2021
    The sidelight indicator, although it uses the same fuse power as the instrument background lighting, the power for this doesn't go through the dimmer switch, so this is further evidence that the dimmer is faulty. The fact that you don't have backlighting in the clock, fuel and oil gauges also means it's not an instrument binnacle problem.
     
  8. ///Mink

    ///Mink Formula Junior
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    Sep 5, 2006
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    Tom Mink
    #8 ///Mink, May 14, 2021
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  9. VS2K

    VS2K Karting

    Aug 24, 2020
    53
    NE
    #9 VS2K, May 14, 2021
    Sigh…so I’m embarrassed to say I figured out the problem. And the problem was me not reading the manual. The “problem” is nonexistent and all is well. Next time I’ll look at the manual more closely before bothering you all. Hahah
     
    rhern213 and Qavion like this.
  10. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    #10 Qavion, May 14, 2021
    For info, in Tom's photo, the white wire is 12 volts (from the fuse), the black is earth and the yellow wire is the variable output voltage to the lights.

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  11. rhern213

    rhern213 Formula Junior

    Jan 8, 2021
    578
    Miami, FL
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    Richel
    #11 rhern213, May 16, 2021
    So what was the issue? Was it the plug?
     

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