Dashboard lights out - fuse checked - license plate lights work | FerrariChat
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Dashboard lights out - fuse checked - license plate lights work

Discussion in '348/355' started by DreamUSA, Sep 25, 2016.

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  1. DreamUSA

    DreamUSA Rookie

    Sep 14, 2009
    7
    #1 DreamUSA, Sep 25, 2016
    Hello everybody,

    Im the temporary custodian of a 97 F355 GTS since 2007. I read here often as I love to read the tech part of the F.
    Live in the Netherlands. Before I take it to the dealer these days I first check if I can fix it myself. My dashboard lights are out. I checked the fuse (nr 12 i believe) its ok and the license plate is illuminated.

    Anyone a guess. Cable connector ? Both consoles are out btw center console and dashboard.

    Peter
     
  2. Andy 355

    Andy 355 Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2013
    434
    Sydney
    #2 Andy 355, Sep 25, 2016
    Give the dash light dimmer switch a bit of a wriggle. Sometimes the contacts inside it play up. I have seen it before. Cheers
     
  3. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    #3 Qavion, Sep 25, 2016
    By "center console", do you mean the oil temp, fuel quantity and clock, or do you also mean the centre console pushbutton switch symbol illumination? The pushbutton switches on the centre console have the same (unvarying) power as the number plate lights (so should be ok).
     
  4. DreamUSA

    DreamUSA Rookie

    Sep 14, 2009
    7
    #4 DreamUSA, Sep 25, 2016
    @Andy Yes Ive tried the dimmer as well and no change yet.
    @Ian center console i mean the oil temp. fuel quantity and clock.
    Btw on the driver side all indicators and lights like suspension adjusment work.
     
  5. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    #5 Qavion, Sep 25, 2016
    Last edited: Sep 25, 2016
    These have separate power sources.

    It could still be a faulty dimmer potentiometer. I guess the next step would be to remove the instrument binnacle and check the wiring. Have any plugs fallen off? Plug "C" provides power from fuse 12 to the dimmer. Has the previous owner damaged the wiring during binnacle installation. Sometimes the wiring gets squashed or pierced with the binnacle frame or binnacle mounting screws.

    http://www.iinet.net.au/[email protected]/FerrariF355Spider/BinnacleLightWiring.GIF

    On plug C, if you put an ohmmeter across the (EDIT) binnacle sockets which mate with the white and yellow/red wires on the plug you should have continuity between the binnacle plug sockets (and the resistance should vary as you adjust the dimmer).

    I'm not sure if plug C is on the left or right hand side, but look for a small plug which has a white and a yellow/red wire next to each other.


    CAUTION: If you have an airbag, don't turn on the ignition with the binnacle plugs disconnected. It may trigger a permanent airbag light which a Ferrari specialist will have to reset. I recommend turning off the battery during binnacle wiring checks.

    Hope this helps.
    Cheers
     
  6. ///Mike

    ///Mike F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2003
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    Bugtussle
    #6 ///Mike, Sep 25, 2016
    Great stuff, Ian! And +1 on the dimmer.
     
  7. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    #7 Qavion, Sep 26, 2016
    :)

    I see second hand parts dealers are asking ludicrous prices for dimmer rheostats (up to UKP 195). P/N 134406

    It looks like there are two metal clips holding the rheostat case together. If Peter finds that the rheostat is broken, it might be worth pulling it apart to look for broken bits or dirty contacts.

    Or perhaps someone has an alternative part number? I tried finding an Alfa Romeo substitute, but this seems even rarer.

    Tech Tips (Item 64)

    Written on the rheostat case is REA MILANO MLX-01
     
  8. DreamUSA

    DreamUSA Rookie

    Sep 14, 2009
    7
    #8 DreamUSA, Sep 29, 2016
    thanks guys. i know what i have to do this weekend.
    will let you know the results. Im having a hunch that wires are not broken but connectors make bad contact as i had it once before with the AC knob. Car is in a heated garage so dry and i rarely use water on it mostly quick detailer is enough for a drive.
     
  9. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    #9 Qavion, Oct 12, 2016
    Any update on this issue, Dream? Just curious :p
     
  10. DreamUSA

    DreamUSA Rookie

    Sep 14, 2009
    7
    #10 DreamUSA, Nov 23, 2016
    HI guys, sorry that i didnt have an answer sooner but was busy with work so didnt have time to start on the car sooner. (plus im an engineer but not an electrics enthousiast.)

    So yesterday I wanted to pull the console behind the steering wheel. However I tried everything first again and long behold. The lights are back on !!! Now ive tried to fiddle a bit with wires and but the lights stayed on and even after an hr. drive they kept staying on. Also the dimmer works and no hick ups there at all.

    So the car has to do a major next year and then im going to have all connectors and wires checked/treated on the dash. What might have caused this.... well the car is in a conditioned garage, drive it at least once every month for an hr. The garage also has floor heating. Now my heating system has had a leak elsewhere so i had to temporary cut of the heating to the garage (lasted a month) as it was on the part of the system and there might lay the problem. Maybe some damp however it is a dry garage but i did have a problem with a connector before near the stick shift console which was easy fixed. Thanks for all your replies.
     
  11. DreamUSA

    DreamUSA Rookie

    Sep 14, 2009
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    #11 DreamUSA, Nov 23, 2016
    continued.

    earlier on with another connector near the stick shift console. That one was easy fixed with a little clean and contact spray and kept working ever since.

    Thanks to all for your replies.
     
  12. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    #12 Qavion, Nov 23, 2016
    Thanks for the update, Dream.
    Unfortunately, intermittent faults are difficult to diagnose (especially if shaking the wires doesn't cause the problem to come back). You could throw a lot of money at the problem and still not be sure if the problem has been fixed.

    Let sleeping dogs lie? :)
     
  13. DreamUSA

    DreamUSA Rookie

    Sep 14, 2009
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    #13 DreamUSA, Nov 23, 2016
    Davion Im goin to have the whole cable System checked towards the Dash and Make sure All connectors are clean and connecting cause it's probably going to come back at a time when u don't want it. Anyway it was a nice drive yeaterday lol
     

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