Lancia Beta Forum

Technical stuff => Electrical => Topic started by: chrisc on August 08, 2023, 07:33:49 PM

Title: Instrument cluster preservation / refurbishment
Post by: chrisc on August 08, 2023, 07:33:49 PM
Having pulled out the dash from my car the back of the instrument cluster is not a happy place, with corrosion and either the pcb delaminating or if not that, then the protective coating on the back of it coming away.

(https://i.ibb.co/47XXzJq/back-of-instruments.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vHTTpDF)

Anyone been here before and have any suggestions on what if any action is needed? all still working when it was in the car.
Title: Re: Instrument cluster preservation / refurbishment
Post by: peteracs on August 08, 2023, 07:38:53 PM
Hi Chris

If it is all working and the tracks not loose or cracked, then I would carefully clean it with water and soft brush, but assuming you are not removing the instruments, then be sparing with the amount of water. This should help remove the build up of corrosion.

From memory it is a just a single sided PCB.

Peter
Title: Re: Instrument cluster preservation / refurbishment
Post by: Ferrit on September 25, 2025, 06:38:04 PM
anyone repaired the contact points?

I have a couple dead points due to broken contacts.  I have nothing to loose in giving it a go and repair.  Here are my issue points

Title: Re: Instrument cluster preservation / refurbishment
Post by: Ferrit on September 25, 2025, 06:43:28 PM
but you should have seen the old one!

Title: Re: Instrument cluster preservation / refurbishment
Post by: Ferrit on September 26, 2025, 11:53:09 PM
I am going to try this.  I will report back after the weekend

https://youtu.be/YZIdJPhKWIU?si=BPeGyhBEut8v6pNm

Mark
Title: Re: Instrument cluster preservation / refurbishment
Post by: Ferrit on October 01, 2025, 02:20:52 PM
better but not perfect using copper tape with conductive adhesive.  Indicators/turn signals on this panel have never worked.  I think I need a newer/better one longer term

Question: what are the three brake lights indicating.  I get handbrake and low fluid

PS - brake pads!!!
Title: Re: Instrument cluster preservation / refurbishment
Post by: JASPER_40 on October 02, 2025, 10:51:25 AM
Yep..brake pad wear sensors on both front calipers
Title: Re: Instrument cluster preservation / refurbishment
Post by: JASPER_40 on October 02, 2025, 11:05:29 AM
Have you tested the Left most control knob on the instrument panel. when turned it varies the brightness of the Gauge lights but when pushed it checks the bulb operation in some of the warning lights. This second function is useful but a bit primitive.


Just had the dash panel out on mine to replace the speedo cable and rennovated the PCB connections etc whilst I was there. Judicial use of super glue & copper tape won the day and managed to also re-set the working of the warning light check contacts.....quite satisfying.

Cheers,

Steve

PS Pic shows the bubs that light when the LH check button is pressed
Title: Re: Instrument cluster preservation / refurbishment
Post by: Ferrit on October 02, 2025, 01:21:13 PM
"Have you tested the Left most control knob on the instrument panel. when turned it varies the brightness of the Gauge lights but when pushed it checks the bulb operation in some of the warning lights. This second function is useful but a bit primitive."

OMG!!!  I had forgotten about that!  Bl00dy star!!!  Love you :-)
Title: Re: Instrument cluster preservation / refurbishment
Post by: Nigel on October 02, 2025, 09:10:55 PM
Mark,
Just looking at your fitting of the stalk. You may have difficulty with
the cowls as it appears to need rotating clockwise a few degrees?

N.
Title: Re: Instrument cluster preservation / refurbishment
Post by: lancialulu on October 03, 2025, 01:26:02 PM
On the recent Betameeta my HPEVX headlight warning started to flicker and go out momentarily. When I got home I pulled the instrument panel and dug out the bulb only to find the PO had fitted miniature LED's (he might have told me but I had forgotten if he had). I tested the LED and is flashed and was intermittently off. So I replaced with a spare panel bulb.... Have to see if I need to replace all of them in due course.....
Title: Re: Instrument cluster preservation / refurbishment
Post by: peteracs on October 03, 2025, 01:40:38 PM
Hi

I replaced all my dash bulbs with leds and 4 years on not had any problems.

Peter
Title: Re: Instrument cluster preservation / refurbishment
Post by: Ferrit on October 03, 2025, 11:46:16 PM
I was thinking the same Nigel, ie its not quite level.  I will need to save up for lhd cowls for a while.  I have decided not to doctor the rhd ones.

My Caravelle I have had cheap LED's and theny flickered a lot.  Better ones are okay.  PO had fitted the LEDs so just moved them across.