Tha Original i30 Owners Club

GOT PROBLEMS OR ISSUES? => GENERAL => Topic started by: highndry on February 02, 2020, 13:07:10

Title: Odometer display flickers / flashes
Post by: highndry on February 02, 2020, 13:07:10: Having searched the forum, I find that a previous occurrence of this problem was fixed by instrument cluster replacement under warranty. Not an option for my 2011 I30 Comfort CRDi 1.6. There is no flicker when the lights are on, so this is not caused by a 'noisy' brilliance control. Rather it is the odometer screen illumination which comes on initially when the door is opened, then again when the ignition is switched on. The flickering started as an occasional fault, but is now very frequent.

I am hoping that the fault might lie external to the instrument cluster. It would be great if someone with experience of I30 electrics could provide some pointers.
Title: Re: Odometer display flickers / flashes
Post by: nzenigma on February 02, 2020, 19:40:13: All lies in the circuit: quote..........................

I believe that the OP's problem probably lies with the chip that dims the display when headlights are on.

The circuit has 12 LEDs , divided into 6 randomly placed pairs. Each pair is powered via a basic zener circuit. It seems that 3 zeners are switched off during headlight operation.

Unfortunately, without a circuit to guide me and the fault being intermittent I ran out of time to go further.
This may help some enthusiast , the notion that it is just a dry joint doesnt play at this stage,

:link: 2009 i30 dashboard background light unstable (https://i30ownersclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=52098.msg473851#msg473851)
Title: Re: Odometer display flickers / flashes
Post by: highndry on February 03, 2020, 17:13:41: Thanks for the link. I'll have a go at removing the cluster using this technique (https://i30ownersclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=46762.msg443966#msg443966). My model is different though, having two screws under the cowl which will require removal before pulling forward.

Are there any gotchas I should be aware of?
Title: Re: Odometer display flickers / flashes
Post by: nzenigma on February 03, 2020, 23:18:18: I suspect that the electronic repair will be above your pay level :evil:

The easy cure lies in a wreckers cluster, so get one with low mileage; what ever it is , it stays embedded in the replacement.
Title: Re: Odometer display flickers / flashes
Post by: highndry on February 04, 2020, 09:17:18: Quote
I suspect that the electronic repair will be above your pay level :evil:

I'm a retired electronics engineer, hopefully not too rusty. :)
Title: Re: Odometer display flickers / flashes
Post by: tw2005 on February 04, 2020, 10:59:34: Quote from: highndry on February 04, 2020, 09:17:18
Quote
I suspect that the electronic repair will be above your pay level :evil:

I'm a retired electronics engineer, hopefully not too rusty. :)
:happydance: @The Gonz

I'll be interested on the reported findings, and solution. :goodjob2:
Title: Re: Odometer display flickers / flashes
Post by: The Gonz on February 04, 2020, 11:30:52: I was THIS close to posting not to make assumptions about skills and quals.

In any case, there could be a level of effort better spent on a replacement cluster. I haven't taken either option yet.

Regards,
A fully employed Electronics Engineer.
Title: Re: Odometer display flickers / flashes
Post by: nzenigma on February 04, 2020, 20:15:17: Quote from: highndry on February 04, 2020, 09:17:18
Quote
I suspect that the electronic repair will be above your pay level :evil:

I'm a retired electronics engineer, hopefully not too rusty. :)

apologies mate, :mrgreen: rare to find people here with any hands on skill in anything, and also adaptability.

I side with the Gonz re practically another cluster will be the easiest route. Its an intermittent fault, so if you have the time to set up the test procedures that I outlined, ( or similar) you will eventually have a win.

Good luck, we await. :goodjob2: