[s-cars] Re: Instrument Cluster elec problem?

[Kirby Smith]

It is best not to rely on solder for a mechanical connection.  Try to 
solder a short wire over the cracked trace.

But before soldering the trace, I suggest using an eraser to clean the 
copper well.  Don't use an iron that is too hot for the problem.  15W 
might be enough, depending on the trace size.

kirby



Eric Rechlin wrote:
> Beer, Jerald S. wrote:
> 
>> I am trying to chase down what appears to be a short in the instrument
>> cluster (IC). This started recently and randomly would occur. It now
>> occurs all the time.  When the running lights or headlights go on for
>> the first time, the high beams come on also. If I shut off and turn
>> on, headlights or running lights come on properly, but both turn
>> signal indicators remain lit on the dash, and the computer screen
>> for mpg, etc has no lights.
> 
> 
> I assume you mean the indicators aren't working properly, not the lights 
> themselves.  Another symptom is that when you use the turn signals, both 
> indicators might flash in an alternating manner.
> 
> This is a common problem on the instrument clusters.  One of the ground 
> wires is very weak near the upper edge of the IC.  If you follow the 
> traces to the indicator lights that don't work properly, you will see 
> they all go through the same ground trace.  I had the same problem, and 
> I solved it by adding a little solder where the connection seemed weak.  
> Using a multimeter might help.
> 
> If you don't feel like soldering, a temporary solution that I found is 
> to give the dashboard a good whack just above the IC.  That'll solve it 
> for a little while, but building up the ground connection with some 
> solder is a better solution.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Eric Rechlin