Does anyone know how to repair the illumination of the rev counter needle on a maxi dot dashboard, the rest of the dashboard is still working ok but Skoda say you can't just replace the led/bulb because it's a sealed unit and you have to replace all the clocks. The car is a 2011 Fabia. Thanks

It is a sealed unit in the respect that Skoda will not open it but it can be done as a few people on here have changed the colour of the LEDs but it is a nightmare by all accounts. I have no idea how you would even begin to do it, sorry. I know it's nice to have the Rev counter but with the maxi dot it does suggest when to change up/down. I cant imagine it being cheap to change the cluster and I don't know what it would do to your ODO I think it would be reset to zero and you would need some documentation to authenticate the previous mileage.

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Thanks Jonro, the dealers suggested that it would cost about £250 to fix, you have to recode the keys too or the car won't start afterwards which I think is insane or maybe this is another way to stop diy repairs. I'm surprised that it's gone wrong really as the car is just four years old and I thought these things were supposed to last the life of the car, maybe they should bring back reliable low wattage bulbs, I've had cars with these that were over 20 years old and all the dashboard still lit up, if a bulb ever did go it would cost about 50p to change it. I suppose it's down to ease and cheapness of production at the factory (maximising profits at the customers future expense) but it doesn't seem to fit in with today's ecological values when you have to throw away your dashboard and fit a new one every time a light goes out, if I was cynical I might say that this is more evidence that VW don't really care about the planet.

If I do find a cheap way to fix this I'll put it on here but it doesn't look likely at the moment.

It is a sealed unit in the respect that Skoda will not open it but it can be done as a few people on here have changed the colour of the LEDs but it is a nightmare by all accounts. I have no idea how you would even begin to do it, sorry. I know it's nice to have the Rev counter but with the maxi dot it does suggest when to change up/down. I cant imagine it being cheap to change the cluster and I don't know what it would do to your ODO I think it would be reset to zero and you would need some documentation to authenticate the previous mileage.

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if you change the cluster the new one has to be coded in and mileage swapped over with vcds. 

 

ive just had maxidot fitted to mine.. its more a job of finding the right used cluster, but they dont need to be expensive. skoda do want about £700 new though lol

Thanks Jonro, the dealers suggested that it would cost about £250 to fix, you have to recode the keys too or the car won't start afterwards which I think is insane or maybe this is another way to stop diy repairs. I'm surprised that it's gone wrong really as the car is just four years old and I thought these things were supposed to last the life of the car, maybe they should bring back reliable low wattage bulbs, I've had cars with these that were over 20 years old and all the dashboard still lit up, if a bulb ever did go it would cost about 50p to change it. I suppose it's down to ease and cheapness of production at the factory (maximising profits at the customers future expense) but it doesn't seem to fit in with today's ecological values when you have to throw away your dashboard and fit a new one every time a light goes out, if I was cynical I might say that this is more evidence that VW don't really care about the planet.

If I do find a cheap way to fix this I'll put it on here but it doesn't look likely at the moment.

 

maybe contact a company like the one linked below, they offer repairs for such things. But im not sure how the set up works exactly

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Fabia-instrument-cluster-clock-dashpod-speedo-speedometer-REPAIR-/111692921626?hash=item1a016abb1a:g:uuMAAOSwTapV5EO4

maybe contact a company like the one linked below, they offer repairs for such things. But im not sure how the set up works exactly

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Fabia-instrument-cluster-clock-dashpod-speedo-speedometer-REPAIR-/111692921626?hash=item1a016abb1a:g:uuMAAOSwTapV5EO4

That looks like a good option, the listing says it's up to 2007 for £99 but their website says up to present model is £150.

http://www.cartronix.co.uk/manufacturers/product/176-skoda-fabia-instrument-cluster-dash-repair

I didn't even know these companies existed. Worth remembering, although I'm hoping to upgrade soon [emoji6]

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That looks like a good option, the listing says it's up to 2007 for £99 but their website says up to present model is £150.

http://www.cartronix.co.uk/manufacturers/product/176-skoda-fabia-instrument-cluster-dash-repair

I didn't even know these companies existed. Worth remembering, although I'm hoping to upgrade soon [emoji6]

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ah, well spotted! . Can get a new cluster for less than £150,its just finding the right one thats the problem haha

 

ooo upgrading the car, or the cluster?

Give BBA Reman a call, used em for a few things that they don't have listed on site, good firm

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ah, well spotted! . Can get a new cluster for less than £150,its just finding the right one thats the problem haha

ooo upgrading the car, or the cluster?

The car, cluster seems OK at the minute

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The car, cluster seems OK at the minute

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slightly off topic, i know

 

but what car are you thinking?

Pm Sent

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Any good electronics repair shop should be able to repair/replace the faulty smd.

I was just thinking, personal preference I know, but while you are getting it repaired and opened up (if you go down that route) could the cluster be wired to illuminate whenever you he ignition is on? I would love that on mine

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I enquired about having the gauges permanently lit when I got the car because I found that on a dull day the needles were so much brighter than the gauges that it was difficult to quickly check your speed etc and consequently I ended up putting the side lights on to see the gauges more easily, as you probably know this turns off the day running lights so it’s not a great idea. It would be ok though if the day running lights would stay on until either the headlights or front fog lights were on instead.

The only downside of the gauges being permanently lit would be that you might forget to turn your lights on in the dark.

The guage lighting is controlled by a setting in the ecu and can only be changed by the dealer or someone with the correct software like an auto electrician, my dealer told me that this setting wasn’t available, so I asked on this forum and someone said their dealer had done it on their car for them, apparently it is an option on Audis, you can choose “needles on” or “gauges and needles on” but Skoda drivers aren’t offered the same option.

I knew that they weren't active because of the risk of not putting on your sidelights at dusk, but like you say it's hard to see the numbers on a dull day. I was just wondering if someone who was opening the cluster may be able to add a switched power supply. I have no idea if that's possible though.

I wasn't aware that the Audi had those options, shame it's not across the whole VAG group.

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Turns off the DRL's.  and turns on the Front and rear Sidelights, so a winner all around.

Or just put on Dipped Headlights and Sidelights all the time, nobody will object, job done.

I know you don't really like DRL'S George, and I do agree with your reasons. I personally like the look of the DRL'S down on the front bumper, but hate the fact the rear lights, and cluster don't illuminate at the same time. For that reason I like the vrs setup, sidelights in the same position as the DRL'S but then you don't get fog lights...

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vRS Sidelights are Gash & a ridiculous colour and brightness even though dimmer than when on as DRL's,

and annoy many other road users.

They are a PITA IMHO.

I think they annoy people as they appear to be fog lights due to the brightness, they certainly don't dazzle anyone, but that's my opinion.

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Do you see many around in the dark.?

They annoy me and i see quite a lot of them every week.

I was just thinking, personal preference I know, but while you are getting it repaired and opened up (if you go down that route) could the cluster be wired to illuminate whenever you he ignition is on? I would love that on mine

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My maxidot needles are lit all the time.

Think thats coding in vcds

The needles are but the numbers aren't, I was referring to getting the numbers illuminated full time.

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Do you see many around in the dark.?

They annoy me and i see quite a lot of them every week.

Ive seen a few, what exactly annoys you, the DRL'S or the side lights? I'm not sure how they can annoy someone, then again I like LED lights, they look like a 'cleaner' light

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Ive seen a few, what exactly annoys you, the DRL'S or the side lights? I'm not sure how they can annoy someone, then again I like LED lights, they look like a 'cleaner' light

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youre opening a can of worms with George here mate.

 

prepare yourself  

What annoys me is them as DRL's coming towards you in rain or poor visibility,

and as Sidelights with Headlights in Rain or poor visibility, sitting facing at a junction or the likes.

There are exactly the same ones on some Volvo & Porsche.