Speedo/tach problem after replacing dash lights... | FerrariChat
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Speedo/tach problem after replacing dash lights...

Discussion in '308/328' started by milby1, Aug 1, 2008.

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  1. milby1

    milby1 Karting

    May 26, 2008
    191
    USA
    #1 milby1, Aug 1, 2008
    followed the link: http://www.nwrfca.org/faq/dashlights.html which was referenced here many times and is helpful, if unadorned.

    Replaced dash lights and bypassed dimmer. Now dash lights are bright but tach is stuck at 500 rpm and speedo at 10 mph, with engine off at rest. How does one get these back to zero? TIA
     
  2. mwr4440

    mwr4440 Five Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 8, 2007
    57,982
    Bavaria, The 'Other' Germany
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    Mark W.R.
    #2 mwr4440, Aug 2, 2008
    Your gauges are just fine.

    There are "stops" to prevent the needles from falling back to Zero. An old tale says that Enzo wanted his cars to look like they were in motion even when standing still. So, the needles had stops put in them on the downside so they would NEVER read ZERO (ALWAYS in motion). Don't know if it is true, but it sounds good.

    Not meaning to be snooty, but next time before you take something apart try very had to photograph it from several angles. Helps ALLOT with things like this, and a host of others. :) I got "spanked" for the EXACT same thing over a year ago. :D Lesson WELL learned.

    Good Luck in all future efforts in keeping your car on the road-- where it belongs.

    Ciao
     
  3. milby1

    milby1 Karting

    May 26, 2008
    191
    USA
    #3 milby1, Aug 2, 2008
    So I have reminded myself of the adage "There are no stupid questions, just stupid people who ask questions."

    In fact I did photograph the dash prior to disassembling it, and things are as you say. Appreciate the help, and the forbearance.
     
  4. mwr4440

    mwr4440 Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Jun 8, 2007
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    Mark W.R.
    #4 mwr4440, Aug 3, 2008
    Sorry that came out wrong. Did not mean any harm or disrespect.

    No, you are not stupid at all. I was in a hurry and a$$ deep in putting my xmission back together with MUCH difficulty and ...... well that is not an excuse. Again, Sorry. FINALLY, though after 5 months my tranny is done (I hope!!!!!).

    FYI: Can be a tough crowd around here. You MIGHT just get REALLY Flamed sometime. I did quite awhile back but cannot remember for the life of me what it was for. People perceiving you are not using "Search" is the biggie. But the Search engine here is not the best so ...............

    Anyway welcome, and it is absolutely GREAT you are wrenching on your own car. There are VERY few of us owner-wrenchers in the world. Keep it up and Good Luck!

    Mark
     
  5. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
    6,875
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    Mike 996
    #5 mike996, Aug 3, 2008
    "But the Search engine here is not the best so ..............."

    Boy, is THAT the truth! I'm new here and I've done searches with literally nothing showing up that even makes any sense from what I put in! Other times it seemed to work reasonably well. I'm hoping after I've been here long enough I might figure out the logic and avoid the brickbats of the "We already did that, do a SEARCH!!!" crowd! ;)
     
  6. PATLEW

    PATLEW Formula 3

    Dec 3, 2007
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    Marvin /Waxhaw
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    Patrick Lewandowski
    #6 PATLEW, Aug 4, 2008
    I just wanted to ask how difficult it was to replace the dash lights? I have a Mondial t and my dash lights are not working all of a sudden checked fuses which were in good shape so I am thinking it is the lights. Also considering doing it myself maybe or just take it to the shop and pay the dollars to have it professionally done. How long did it take you to do the job and how did you check to make sure it was the lights prior to your project?
     
  7. milby1

    milby1 Karting

    May 26, 2008
    191
    USA
    #7 milby1, Aug 4, 2008
    Replacing the dash lights was awkward but not particularly difficult. Took about two hours because I was being very careful not to muck anything up. I had already replaced the fuseblock without perceptible intensity increase so I thought I would try to look at the lights and the dimmer.

    Not sure if the approach is different on a Mondi, but on the 308 it was this:

    1) Remove the steering wheel first. I've seen discussion about not having to do this but I don't see how or why. It's easy and gives good exposure (pardon the surgical reference!)

    2) Pop out the warning lights at the four corners (the hazard, battery, fan and warm-up lights). You can use a screwdriver or even just your fingers. The plastic on the mounts of these was brittle and cracked on two of mine, but they can either be replaced or buttressed with electrical tape, which makes a nice tight fit when popping them back in. Pay attention to (or digitally photograph) which wires are headed to which warning light points; when the dash comes out it's easy to lose track.

    3) Behind each of the four holes for these lights is a mounting screw, about two inches in. There are two small ones at the top and 2 bigger ones below. On mine these had sticky black grease on them so they gripped the screwdriver and pulled right out. More importantly, this aided in putting them back in without dropping them behind the dash at the end of the job.

    4) Carefully pull the dashboard out. You don't have to detach all the connectors; I replaced the bulbs with the board sitting on the steering column.

    5) Identify the dimmer, which is a simple rheostat. Follow the wires out to the bulbs on the back of the tach and speedo. The bulbs pop out of the housing along with their bases. I got replacements at Auto Zone.

    Reversing the steps gets you back to an intact dash. Then, if you're paranoid and not especially observant, you may think you've screwed up the tach and speedo when you see that they aren't properly zeroed!
     
  8. b27

    b27 F1 World Champ

    Oct 11, 2007
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    Brett
    #8 b27, Aug 4, 2008
    You're not the only one. A lot of us have had the same problem. I guess there is so much information processed in a single day, perhaps its too hard for the search to work.

    I have however found the whole 308/328/Mondial community to be very helpful in directing to older threads when appropriate. Some as you say do mention the "we already did that, but generally the diehards don't. I'm restoring my car at the moment and a number of people here have been a tremendous help, too many to remember at this time.
     
  9. PATLEW

    PATLEW Formula 3

    Dec 3, 2007
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    Patrick Lewandowski
    #9 PATLEW, Aug 5, 2008
    thanks for the info I will have to consider if I want to do it myself.
     

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