electrical fault please help

[adamuk14]

hi all
dashboard lights keep going out, this fault happens whenever it feels like it.
sometimes when im driving they go off and stay off for a while, then they suddenly come back on.
other times when you start the car the are off.
all the lights and indicators etc still work but its just the dash display that keeps going off.

the car has just been retested for its mot, and just my luck they went off,
resulting in it failing.

any ideas welcome or anyone reccomend a auto electrician around the nottingham area, preferbly a cheap one lol...

[bigmac]

Moved to correct section

[Ben50n]

Try taking battery off for 30 minutes, this may reset the computer. You will need the code for the radio, which should be on a credit card called a Pass Key.

[adamuk14]

ok mate will try this and let you know.

[VXR Shaneo]

This is a common fault, mine does it whenever it feels like it, it hasn't done it much a lately but sometimes 2-3 times a day. Apparently it's the CIM.

[adamuk14]

whats the cim?

had the battery off now for half hour, got to pop out in a bit so will update later..

[adamuk14]

its just typical that it does it during the mot retest and i couldnt get it back on,
so ive now goto have a full mot in 2 days. ripp off

[vectrasri06]

I had a similar problem and taking apart the block connectors near the bulkhead 2 or 3 times sorted it. dials were falling to zero as well which was cured by the same method at the same time. it helps clean the oxidation off and make a better contact. hope it helps

[adamuk14]

ok ill give this a try as taking the battery off for half hour had no affect.

is there anything special you clean the connectors with?

i know this sounds daft but when they go off i press the hazard switch and sometimes they all come back on, only sometimes tho, weird.

ill try cleaning the connectors tomorrow..

cheers

[Robsey]

Okay - it is indeed a common failing, especially on the pre-facelift Vectra's

Usual cures are -

a) Unplug the ABS module connector, and clean all the pins.

b) Check fuses F10 and F17 in the fuse box on the passenger side of the dash panel

c) check all steering collumn earth tags

d) Not as common as inferred, the Collumn Integrated Module can become defective.

(This is a module behind the steering wheel, which controls the wipers, indicators, steering geometry, horn and radio controls where fitted).