Need help! How to get to my instrument bulbs?

[mffarrell]

I have read all the threads here on how to access and  replace the instrument bulbs, but I may have a different cluster. My car is a 2003 and the instrument cluster looks different inside from photos posted here.

 

 

My cruise control doesn't work (no green light when button is depressed), so I am hoping it is the bulb. I understand if the bulb is bad (open circuit) the system won't operate.

 

In the attached pictures, do I have to remove the circuit board to get to the bulbs? I believe the cruise control light is behind the speedo? How do I get to the bulb?

I don't want to go much further, as there are a number of ribbon cables that would have to be removed.

 

Thanks!

[DBJoe996]

I think this may help because it shows how far you have to get in there to replace the cruise control bulb

http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/49303-2003-porsche-996-instrument-cluster-bulbs/

 

And this might help a little to: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/102-ELEC-Instrument_Cluster_Bulb_Replacement/102-ELEC-Instrument_Cluster_Bulb_Replacement.htm

 

And this: http://www.boxa.net/forum/index.php?/topic/59708-how-to-replace-instrument-cluster-lights/

Edited April 27, 2016 by DBJoe996

[mffarrell]

I think this may help because it shows how far you have to get in there to replace the cruise control bulb

http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/49303-2003-porsche-996-instrument-cluster-bulbs/

And this might help a little to: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/102-ELEC-Instrument_Cluster_Bulb_Replacement/102-ELEC-Instrument_Cluster_Bulb_Replacement.htm

And this: http://www.boxa.net/forum/index.php?/topic/59708-how-to-replace-instrument-cluster-lights/

Thanks, but I have the newer cluster, and it appears the bulbs are soldered onto the pcb motherboard. I guess if there is a bad bulb, you have to replace the instrument cluster from what I can tell.

I wish mine was the older style cluster.

Maybe Loren might know if my assumption is correct?

Edited April 27, 2016 by mffarrell

[Loren]

As I recall the last time they used bulbs in the cluster was MY2001.

So if all the lights are out then you may have a wiring or connector issue. Worse case is a bad cluster.

[mffarrell]

As I recall the last time they used bulbs in the cluster was MY2001.

So if all the lights are out then you may have a wiring or connector issue. Worse case is a bad cluster.

Hi Loren,

No, just my cruise control light. I know with the older clusters a bad bulb will make the cc inoperative.

Thanks!

Mike

[Loren]

Does cruise control light come on when you just turn the ignition to "on"?

If it does then your problem is in the cruise control.

[mffarrell]

Does cruise control light come on when you just turn the ignition to "on"?

If it does then your problem is in the cruise control.

No, the light doesn't come on the and the cc is inoperative. Do you think this is pointing to a bad instrument cluster or a bad stalk switch? I wouldn't think that the clutch switch would affect at least arming the system with power and a green light. Thoughts?

Thanks!

[Loren]

If you have access to a PST2 or PIWIS that might help diagnose.

 

I would not replace the cluster without checking the simple stuff first.

 

start with fuse B7 (15A) -- use ohm meter to verify it out of the circuit.

then the switches - again you can use an ohm meter to verify.

 

(click to enlarge)

[mffarrell]

If you have access to a PST2 or PIWIS that might help diagnose.

I would not replace the cluster without checking the simple stuff first.

start with fuse B7 (15A) -- use ohm meter to verify it out of the circuit.

then the switches - again you can use an ohm meter to verify.

(click to enlarge)

2003 cruise control 996.jpg

The brake stop lights share the same fuse as the cc, so I would think fuse is ok if I have stop lights. Is clutch/cc switch the red one?

Also, are you saying to ohm-out the cc switch on the stalk? Where is the connector for the cc switch? Anything else to check? Is it possible that the coding is corrupted between the cluster and ecu?

I have a Durametric, but I am not sure I can test the cc with that.

Thanks!

Edited April 27, 2016 by mffarrell

[Ahsai]

You can use Durametric to activate instrument cluster test where all the lights will be turned on during the test sequence.

[Loren]

The clutch microswitch will have two wires - one is Yellow with Grey stripe and the other wire is black.

[mffarrell]

The clutch microswitch will have two wires - one is Yellow with Grey stripe and the other wire is black.

Thanks! How do I test the stalk switch that enables cc readiness mode?

[mffarrell]

You can use Durametric to activate instrument cluster test where all the lights will be turned on during the test sequence.

Thank you!

[mffarrell]

You can use Durametric to activate instrument cluster test where all the lights will be turned on during the test sequence.

Problem solved! I plugged the Durametric in and activated cruise control. CC now works. I wonder what caused the instrument cluster to lose activation?

Thanks!

[Ahsai]

Glad to hear that. I wonder if the fix was due to cluster power disconnect (hence reset) as oppposed to Duametric though. AFAIK, Durametric can't do any programming on our cars so it shouldn't affect the cruise control behavior.

[JFP in PA]

Glad to hear that. I wonder if the fix was due to cluster power disconnect (hence reset) as oppposed to Duametric though. AFAIK, Durametric can't do any programming on our cars so it shouldn't affect the cruise control behavior.

 

The Pro version is capable of activating the cruise control system, but the Enthusiast cannot.

[Ahsai]

That makes sense. OP, did you use Duramatric pro?

Glad to hear that. I wonder if the fix was due to cluster power disconnect (hence reset) as oppposed to Duametric though. AFAIK, Durametric can't do any programming on our cars so it shouldn't affect the cruise control behavior.

The Pro version is capable of activating the cruise control system, but the Enthusiast cannot.

[mffarrell]

Glad to hear that. I wonder if the fix was due to cluster power disconnect (hence reset) as oppposed to Duametric though. AFAIK, Durametric can't do any programming on our cars so it shouldn't affect the cruise control behavior.

 

I believe the Durametric did the job. I tried the cc after I reinstalled the cluster and reconnected the battery. I could toggle (activate) on/off through my laptop.

[mffarrell]

 

Glad to hear that. I wonder if the fix was due to cluster power disconnect (hence reset) as oppposed to Duametric though. AFAIK, Durametric can't do any programming on our cars so it shouldn't affect the cruise control behavior.

 

The Pro version is capable of activating the cruise control system, but the Enthusiast cannot.

 

 

I have the Enthusiast with the latest software and I have that feature.

[Ahsai]

Thanks, I see now. Misunderstanding on my part. I thought you meant using Durametric to enable the cc feature similar to other programmable features in our cars such as auto central lock when car is up to soeme speed. What you meant was toggled the cc on/off on the Durametric screen as if you toggled the button on the end of the cc stalk.

[mffarrell]

Thanks, I see now. Misunderstanding on my part. I thought you meant using Durametric to enable the cc feature similar to other programmable features in our cars such as auto central lock when car is up to soeme speed. What you meant was toggled the cc on/off on the Durametric screen as if you toggled the button on the end of the cc stalk.

Yes, but by toggling to fixed the problem, but I am not sure why. Perhaps toggling on activates cc? When I toggle off and leave it that way, the cc doesn't work.

[Ahsai]

Um, that's interesting and I don't understand why either haha

[scubajumper]

2003 c4 cab so just to verify the backlights for the instrument cluster do not have changeable bulbs?? Mine backlights are out the only lights are the idiot lights and led for digital speedo etc. The Tach and speedo  and gas etc. backlights are out.