Dials dying...

**si_hoss** · 22nd February 2010, 14:05

Afternoon all,

Got this problem recently start, wondering if anyone knows. When driving along I've had all the dials die on me. It's as if the dash thinks I've turned the ignition off, my handbrake light and service light flash up then turn off, ALL the dials go back to zero. It did this twice this morning, and only twice before in the last two weeks, so obviously getting more frequent.

Everything else works, radio, lights, indicators, ABS (was snowing this morning

) and when checking the indicators I pressed my hazard switch and hey presto, all came back to life. Second time this morning I again hit the hazards and again it all came back on.

Has anyone else had this and can they tell me what's wrong or what to check for? I'm guessing a lose connection somewhere in the dash, but hopefully someone's had this and had it fixed!

Cheers!

**rushy** · 22nd February 2010, 14:36

Its going to be the CIM (£400 dealer fix) or a dirty ABS plug mate. ABS plug is the big multi plug behind the battery box. Just pop it off and give it a clean with switch cleaner or WD40 (mop up any residue). HTH

**si_hoss** · 22nd February 2010, 15:42

Originally Posted by rushy

Its going to be the CIM (£400 dealer fix) or a dirty ABS plug mate. ABS plug is the big multi plug behind the battery box. Just pop it off and give it a clean with switch cleaner or WD40 (mop up any residue). HTH

Ok ABS connector, if it happens again I'm gonna seriously think about chopping it in, I've got a long list of problems that need time/money to fix - a £400 CIM issue is gonna push me over the edge

!!!!!!

Cheers!

**rushy** · 22nd February 2010, 18:04

On your year the abs plug is a common thing mate. Its free to clean it youself, if that doesnt sort it then look at the cim, but odds on its just a damp or dirty abs plug. What are the other problems you mentioned?

**si_hoss** · 22nd February 2010, 18:29

Originally Posted by rushy

On your year the abs plug is a common thing mate. Its free to clean it youself, if that doesnt sort it then look at the cim, but odds on its just a damp or dirty abs plug. What are the other problems you mentioned?

I'll list em, ready....
Coolant Leak (no idea where from, need topping up every 7-10 days)
Rear Wiper Motor (Ebay jobby)
Knocking from rear (oooerr but think it's the ARB bushes)
Rear heated window dead (hopefully loose connection)
Rear N/S caliper binding (think it's the handbrake cable though)
Passenger seat doesn't slide forwards or back (cable too loose)
Steering clicks on full lock (CV joints I've been told)
...and my air-con doesn't hold pressure

(not so bad in the winter)

I can do some of this myself, just excuses like snow stopping me lol. SO if the ABS plug isn't the issue then trading it in could be the way to go, although nothing out there takes my fancy

**bigmac** · 22nd February 2010, 18:42

You could get a 2nd hand CIM unit as long as its been tech2'd out this will save you a few £

**si_hoss** · 24th February 2010, 13:32

Hey all,

Ok so the dials haven't played up since Monday, and I super-solved the ABS connector last night so time will tell I guess.

However, my wipers have now twice played up, both times when I've washed the window it squirts like it should but the wipers don't move, I move the stalk up and down, on/off and nothing, but when I go to "fast wipe" it springs into life and works fine again. Could this be another sign the CIM is knacked??

**mark_647** · 24th February 2010, 13:54

Thinks that could be a CIM sign to be honest, sounds like it. Sure someone with better knowledge will post soon.

**rushy** · 24th February 2010, 20:26

Originally Posted by si_hoss

Hey all,

Ok so the dials haven't played up since Monday, and I super-solved the ABS connector last night so time will tell I guess.

However, my wipers have now twice played up, both times when I've washed the window it squirts like it should but the wipers don't move, I move the stalk up and down, on/off and nothing, but when I go to "fast wipe" it springs into life and works fine again. Could this be another sign the CIM is knacked??

Originally Posted by mark_647

Thinks that could be a CIM sign to be honest, sounds like it. Sure someone with better knowledge will post soon.

I'd agree with Mark there then mate as the ABS plug wont really affect the wipers

You never know though, it could be a separate fault with the wiper motor

The CIM is just such an expensive thing to replace that I would check everything before you resort yourself to the CIM. Getting the code's read is the best action but with proper opcom or Tech2. Give it another day, it could just be a glitch, fingers crossed for you mate.

**si_hoss** · 2nd March 2010, 13:39

Hey all me again - dial's died twice again this morning on the way in

I'm getting the car serviced Friday anyway, but leaving the CIM till it properly busts. What will it do when it's totally shot? I'm not even 100% what the CIM does.