XType 3.0L 2001 Instrument failure.

[xjscharlie]

Hello Folks,
Whilst driving all the gauges in the dash failed, i,e,. they all read zero. The car continued to run perfectly and restarted Ok.
Has anyone experienced this? Would appreciate any advice on where to start looking for the cause/solution to the problem.
Thanx in anticipation..Charlie.

[robv12]

yep been here, usually a instrument pack failure, start looking for another one, it will need programming to the car

[J44EAG]

The usual maxim applies, Charlie. Diagnosis by electronic means before any other course of action.

Most people will probably take the car to a Main Dealer or Indipendent operator. Others may do as so many of us now do, namely buying either a Foxwell or iCarsoft 930i diagnosis tool at around £150 for the Foxwell or around £90 for the Carsoft. Both are good units which are well worth the investment. My Carsoft stays permanently in the car and has been most useful on occasions when out on the road travelling.

The other diagnostic system commonly in use is the Torque Pro app which links to an Iphone or an Android phone. Used with a £5 ELM327 OBD bluetooth chip available from ebay, this set up has provided many people with a quick, cheap and useful entry into diagnostics.

I have both the Carsoft and the Torque app systems and doing so has saved me a small fortune in avoiding garage based diagnosis costs. If you run a modern car, one of these units can only be regarded as an essential tool.

Once you have managed to diagnose the car, you are some of the way towards sorting out your issue. Whether it be a total instrument cluster failure or perhaps just a plug point or other failure, you will then be in a position to get the problem fixed. If cluster failure is diagnosed, then BBA Reman in Rochester offer a reconditioning service. Alternatively Eurojag who advertise in the magazine may have a used unit which you can then fit as a cost effective replacement. In the meantime, accurate vehicle diagnosis is the initial way forward in my opinion.

As Uncle Rob says, failure is not unknown. Reconditioned or secondhand, you will then have to have it paired to the car. I suspect that is a job for a professional operator.

Mike K

[robv12]

in this case a scan will usually reveal," CAN FAILURE, LOST COMMUNICATION, INSTRUMNENT PACK"

Uncle Rob!!

[robv12]

I have known to be good dash packs here if you need, cheap as well!!, beer money and postage does the trick

[xjscharlie]

Many thanx all for the excellent response. Will avail myself of an analyzer and take it from there..Charlie.