Gauge pod totally dead

[itzbob46]

It's my fault for sure, but some experienced ideas would be helpful. I just changed the sun damaged dashboard on my 986. I started the car and the entire gauge pod is dead. No indicator lights, no turn signals, no gauges movement, etc.

I gave up for the evening and to collect my thoughts about what could have been forgotten during reassembly. There are approx 30 conductors within 3 major connectors attached to the back of the gauge pod.....no way are there 30 bad connections! Nor are there 3 bad plastic connector installations. It has to be something like a fuse or ground.

The batt was disconnected during the entire project so how could I burn out a fuse? But I'll check it tomorrow.

Right now I'm at a loss and it looks like I have to remove the pod and investigate, but I really don't know where to begin.

[Loren]

The whole dash or just the instrument pod?

If the whole dash then check the 4 chassis ground points to the bulkhead.

And the current distributor block fuses.

[itzbob46]

Thanks for the input. I took the gauge pod off and found one of the 3 large harness connectors not properly seated.

It's FIXED....Time for a well deserved beer.

Bob

Edited January 25, 2012 by itzbob46

[whall]

About the only thing I can think of is that your technique for reinserting the plugs may be the problem. They are difficult to reach but must be pushed firmly into the back of the instrument cluster and held in position - firmly - until the lock lever is snapped into place.

You didn't metion the Model Year of your car; the colors of of the plugs were changed after the MY00 from Blue, Black and White to, beginning with the MY01, Green, Blue and Gray. In any event the colors of the plugs must match the socket colors on the back of the instrument cluster. I know that's pretty elimental......but, strainger things have inadvertantly happened.

With a very quick scan of my Bentley's Boxster service nanual, I didn't see any major fused circuit that would disable the instrument cluster.

Check the security of the plugs. If you should break a plug or more likely a lock lever, check out the following:

BROKEN PLUG HARDWARE. For those MY01 – MY04 DIY’ers who have broken the lock on one or more of the instrument cluster plugs or who are afraid they might, here’s the part number you need : PNA 721.04.300.202. This part number gets you a package with the three colored (blue, green, gray) covers/locks and all three black plugs. They only come as a set of three and cost $27.00 (dealer). The blue, white and black covers/locks and plugs are available for MY97 – MY00 Boxsters too. Have your Porsche technician (not parts guy) check his “Porsche Electrical Connector Repair Kit” for the replacement parts or at least a part number for the three plug package. The entire repair kit is known as CARTOOL – Nr 96 0 000 or PNA 721 043 600. It is full of connectors the parts guy would like to sell you the entire wiring harness for.

Bill

Edited January 27, 2012 by whall