Hi, I need some techie maintenance help.

One of the lights that illuminates my dashboard when the headlights are on has gone, and now I can't see the speedo when it's dark. Does anyone know how to go about replacing it? I can't see any obvious way to dismantle it...

Thanks

(W reg Fabia 1.4 16V Comfort)

That could be a problem.

I know the vRS uses surface mount LED's to illuminate the pod, I would assume that the 1.4 is the same.

Have you taken the pod out?

I haven't taken the pod out - I can't see even how to go about taking it out! There don't appear to be any obvious screws or clips to have a go at.

Sad to hear that they might be surface mount LED's, that's makes it a bit trickier to fix...

Lower and pull out the steering wheel using the adjusment.

Grab the lower section of trim below the clocks and give it a good tug toward you.

Underneath you will find two small torx screws, remove them.

Now with a thin bladed screw driver gently inserted between the upper edge of the clocks and the dash gently tease the pod forward and he presto.

Two plugs, one on each side - be careful of the locking arrangments.

If you can see no obvious bulb holders then I'm afraid it's SM LED's for you too.

If you decide to venture into the dash pod then be careful as the clear plastic is prone to cracking. Also the pod contain your immobiliser info so a straight swap from a scrapper isn't so easy but not impossible.

Sure it couldnt be a fuse though?

Hi' date=' I need some techie maintenance help.

One of the lights that illuminates my dashboard when the headlights are on has gone, and now I can't see the speedo when it's dark. Does anyone know how to go about replacing it? I can't see any obvious way to dismantle it...

Thanks

(W reg Fabia 1.4 16V Comfort)[/quote']

scrappies for a complete cluster might be easier and cheaper than having an led replaced unless you diy.

[pimp]I still have a full set of vRS clocks, Brand new in the box with receipt from Skoda

[/pimp]

:D:D

Sure it couldnt be a fuse though?

He stated that 'one of the lights' which I took to mean that the others were working ok. If it were a fuse then I would imagine all would be out.

scrappies for a complete cluster might be easier and cheaper than having an led replaced unless you diy.

As I said above the cluster contains the immo information so you would need some knowhow, a couple of codes from Skoda and VAG-COM to do the job.

Well it all came apart in exactly the way described - thanks for the great directions. I took the pod apart as well but sadly it only confirmed your suspicions, namely they are SM LED's...

The fella at my local dealership informs me that a new pod is

I would imagine your local TV repair man or similar would be a good start if you aren't confident yourself. The SM LED should be fairly easy to identify I would think.

Actually thinking about it an SM LED should be pretty reliable. Can you see any evidence of a dry joint or something?

Perhaps if you have a multimeter you could make sure you have power to the LED but obviously you'd have to be a bit careful when you powered up the pod.

I should be able to fault find the circuit board OK, was hoping to not have to get into it but

At rough guess, and it is only a guess I would say the left one as you look at it fitted is illumination etc. The right one is a more complicated plug.

You could power up the headlights etc with the pod removed to try and find the 12v supply. It would probably store an immobiliser failed code but that isn't a problem. VAG-COM would clear it or the next visit to a dealer.

I know this is a bit of a cheapo fix but our local poundshop has some dashboard lights that are powered from the cigarette lighter in the car and mounted on the OUTSIDE of the dashboard.

Not very elegant, but VERY cheap and easy!