Dials Flickering

[Adamm.]

Got a slight problem with the 172 and Im not convinced its the speed sensor.

The dials are not working properly even with only the ignition on they all flicker on and off this is leading me to think electrical? As the dials are playing up even when the engine isn't in gear and running.

Had a quick look at some of the fuses and they seem fine, can the speed sensor cause these issues even when the engine isn't running?

 

[Adamm.]

I fitted a headunit the other day, this still works fine and was straight foward to swap but not sure if it may have triggered something?

 

[Andyk1801]

If its the lights flickering on and off then I would suggest checking relays... I'm not even sure if they are attached to one but of they are it sounds like a dirty contact they are easy to just pull out and put back in... would take like 2 mins and worth a shot

 

[Adamm.]

Had a fiddle round all the relays and its working again now so hopefully that was it cheers.

 

[Andyk1801]

Awesome.... Maybe just a dirty contact then....

 

[Adamm.]

I hope so lol.

 

[Adamm.]

Well it started again lol, how did I know that would happen.

All the indicators and warning lights will work when i flick the ignition on but all dials temp fuel gauge and the data screen just flickers on and off, with the rev needle bouncing up and down a couple mm.

Ill order a speed sensor but I don't see how it will fix it if its doing it with the engine off.

 

[Andyk1801]

Still sounds like a relay... Take them out one by one and switch the key round to the second position... Do this until you find out which relay is responsible for the dash...

 

[Adamm.]

okay mate cheers will do that then lol.

 

[Adamm.]

Got it working again it seems there is a blue plug with a load of wires going out of it, Im thinking this is the cause because I think a clip has broken so its not fixed in as securely as the yellow one.

Could anyone confirm that the blue plug is for the dash dials.

 

[Stava]

I reckon your battery is on it's way out.Does the trip computer remember the mileage?

 

[Adamm.]

That's really weird I was just coming on to ask if it could be a cause of the battery. As I know my battery is past its best as it struggles to start when it was cold mornings.

Nope trip computer doesn't remember mileage every time I lock the car it resets itself.

 

[Adamm.]

Changed the battery today and still playing up, it works for a minute then cuts out again.

Going to have a look behind my head unit maybe I knocked something putting it in.

 

[Adamm.]

Bump, I cant be the only one who has had this problem?

 

[MicKPM]

What relays have you been playing with? Interested purely as I can't see any relay on the schematic that relates to the clock set. Any chance of a video of it playing up?

 

[Adamm.]

The ones under glove box pulled them out and put them back in one by one, nothing seemed to change. stupidly didn't check with ignition on to see if any controlled the dials was hoping for a loose or dirty connection lol.

Yeah Ill make a video later so you can see. It seems to be working intermittently since I changed the battery so will work for 5 mins and then flicks of for a min then comes back on etc.

To describe it a bit better before I get a video its basicly its all the needles playing up and the trip computer the only dash light that seems to be playing up with them is the fuel light which comes on when all the needles drop but hasn't come on every time they have dropped. All the warning lights indicators light and headlight indicator lights all work as they should.

 

[Andyk1801]

There may be a bad connection on the back of the dials, you may have to take them out and check them...

 

[Adamm.]

Yeah well I fitted a head unit about a week ago so it could be something loose, didn't start doing this straight after fitting the new unit mind.

 

[Adamm.]

Here we go, excuse the wobbly camera lol was holding my phone. I did try to do it with just the ignition but it decides it wont play up when i want to record it, I'm sure this will give you an idea though.

 

[Adamm.]

suppose Im going to have to pull all my dials out and have a look, does the top half of the dash need to come up for this? :S

Im going to try and put the original headunit back in see if that's the issue.

 

[Ricardos]

Dashtop does have to come out but only a 10-15 minute job

There's about 6 Torx screws to take out and pretty sure the plastic column shrouds has to be removed too so you can unscrew the Torx screws that hold the dash clocks in place.

Theres 3 or 4 Torx screws in the vents where the air comes out for the windscreen
There's a Torx screw each end of the top dash that have to come out

The A pillar plastics have to be removed for the dashtop to be pulled out to so the rubber seal on the A frame gets pulled off too.

It sounds worse than it is but it doesn't take long.

 

[Adamm.]

Okay mate will have a crack at that when I get the time, not really sure what ill be able to do once its out mind lol, f**king car.

 

[Adamm.]

Still no luck guess next thing to do is take it to a specialist now.

 

[Andyk1801]

Wonder if it's a poor connection on your ignition barrel, I don't know the wiring layout or really how it works but because it seems to go through its start up sequence every time it flickers it would seem a logical answer.

 

[Adamm.]

Its odd as it was working for ages last night then this morning it works fine then I go to look through the mpg etc and it triggers it off.

It works more often than not now.

 

[Ricardos]

Might be worth taking it to Mick at Diamond

 

[Adamm.]

Yeah will have to put up with it for a little while because I don't see myself having the time to go get it sorted for a few weeks yet.

 

[MicKPM]

I will gladly take a look at that for you but not this week!!!

 

[Adamm.]

Lol that's fine mate got a holiday coming up so might not be till after, I will call you.