So.Ill.EM2

i was installing my in dash dvd player today. i got done, and was driving around for like 20 minutes then a funny smell...and smoke from the under steering wheel area. well my gauges won't light up now, the automatic PRND lights still light up and so do the SRS and battery and all those, just not the actual gauges themselves. i checked the fuses under the dash and couldn't find a problem. but something burned up and now my gauges won't work.

can anyone help??

TRIZ

iTrader: (14)

I'm guessing you either tapped a wrong wire on the install, put the wrong fuse in, or didnt place a ground wire back and its doing something funky.

CraigW

iTrader: (1)

Double check the wiring connections just made.

Look close at the illumination/dimmer connections used.

Check small lights fuse in under-hood box. If you the fuse is blown check the new connections before putting in replacement fuse.

So.Ill.EM2

i took apart the gauge cluster today, and it's all burnt to hell on the back...

here's some pics:







it looks like it burnt out a connection path...this might be completely wrong, but can i solder over this path again to make the connections?

thanks for any help

CraigW

iTrader: (1)

Is any of the copper trace missing ?? or just raised up off board from heat ??

An Ohm meter will quickly check to see if path open.

If some copper is missing a jumper wire can be used to bridge the area damaged.

Maybe a close-up shot of the burned area to get better look.

Could be further damage, You must also resolve problem that caused this as well before powering cluster again.

So.Ill.EM2

yeah i already did that, i found the wires that caused it...i checked the copper wire and there was like black residue, but it still seemed to be intact....

i have a multimeter but don't know exactly how to use it in this situation...

can you help some more?

CraigW

iTrader: (1)

It is possible that the trace may be o.k. (just looks bad and lifted from heat)

With the meter set to 200 Ohm scale (or lowest Ohm setting) locate both ends of affected trace, Meter leads would go at each end located previous. If trace is o.k. it will read a low value approx 0-1 Ohms.

If the trace is o.k. you could try the cluster again and see if it will work now that the problem has been solved.

TRIZ

iTrader: (14)

whoa, looks like your fryed the board.. i'll have to take a closer look at this later, i'm getting kicked outta the lecture hall right now.

02civic21

short circut

So.Ill.EM2

ok so i've wired up led's instead and i'm just gonna strip the pin out so i can get them to light up when i turn on my parking brake/turn signal lights...

does anyone know what wire this is on the harness??

mani_is_kool

Time for a new CLuster ??? Im selling one :-) Just PM me an offer