Dash backlight and rev counter.

[Rickey]

Hello everyone!

Just chased my childhood dream and got myself my first scirocco.
Its a 1990, GT2
So anyways, theres some little things to fix, mostly cosmetic and mechanical, but the electric things I'm unfamiliar with.

So as the titles says i have 2 electrical problems.

1. There is no lighting around the speedo/rev counter, though im not sure if there even is light in there originally, anyway what reasons could there be? Fractured wireing or just a couple of dead bulbs?
The background lighting on the watch is working and can be adjusted with the knob.


2. The rev counter is not working , not a major problem really, but still, I would like to get it sorted, any ideas? broken sensor or something down that alley?


-Richard

[ianaudia4]

If you whip out the clocks, you will see there are bulbs, easy to change and still available from the dealers. While you have the clocks out take a look at the connectors, your rev counter maybe something as simple as a dirty connection. Have a look at the blue pcb for any breaks.

[Rickey]

Thanks mate, will give it a go this weekend.
Quick job to get to the back of intruments? Or do i have to remove the whole dash to get in there?

[MK21800]

My rev counter was intermittent recently and upon investigation it was that the block connector (white) underneath wasn't connected securely. They kind of click into place.

[ianaudia4]

Thanks mate, will give it a go this weekend.
Quick job to get to the back of intruments? Or do i have to remove the whole dash to get in there?

Not too difficult a task. No need to remove the dash, for easier access remove the driver's side under tray and cover and in my experience remove the steering wheel (after straightening the wheels!). There are 2 screws holding the clocks surround and 1 holding the clocks, once these are removed unclip the electrical blocks and Speedo cable. The clocks will then come out and you can work to your hearts content!

[PeteGLi]

Thanks mate, will give it a go this weekend.
Quick job to get to the back of intruments? Or do i have to remove the whole dash to get in there?

See the FAQ for a How to remove the instrument console.

[Nate]

There should be an earth strap from the rocker cover to the coil. If this is damaged or missing it can (but doesn't always) stop rev counter working

[Rickey]

Well, so i took the clocks out, checked the connenctors, and they both looked fine.
I changed both bulbs and put it back in place.
The speedo and bulb above it works fine, whilst the Rev counter and the bulb above is still dead.
Any tips?

[Nate]

Did you carefully check the pcb for any damage?

[Rickey]

technical english terms is not mye strongside, but after a quick google search, i figgured pcb is the circuit board on the clocks?

[ianaudia4]

PCB=Printed Circut Board. The blue film with electrical tracks running through it! Can be damaged if someone is hamfisted when taking the clocks out!

[james butler]

i bought some cold cathode tube neons off ebay and replaced the dash bulbs with them as the bulbs kept blowing and were becoming a nuisance to change.
you can get the tubes in almost any colour, even green for the origenal look.
i used red