2002 Q45 Instrument Cluster Blackout

[theska]

My speedometer and tachometer are dark...the other lights like the cruise, etc. all work, but the backlight and illumination do not function. I can't seem to find a fix other than a costly replacement...any other options?

[Q451990]

I seem to recall that there is a fluorescent tube in there that burns out... the factory solution is to replace the cluster. I'm not sure if anyone came up with a cheaper solution... I'll do some searching and get back to you.

Heath

[theska]

I appreciate your help Heath!

[Q451990]

I tried searching our fourms and can't find the thread about this... maybe someone else will have better luck. I googled "speedometer repair" and came up with several guys like this:

http://www.instrumentclusters.com/

http://www.dnaspeedometers.com/

http://www.speedometerplus.com/

Maybe it's worth giving them a call?

Heath

[theska]

I appreciate it!

[Q45man1]

You can also try http://www.bba-reman.com. The CCFL tubes are replaceable, just pull out the burnt out tubes and measure the diameter x length. Based upon these dimensions I would be able to recommend a replacement lamp for you. These companies one way or another contact us for lamps and inverters.

I have an extra bulbs for the clock and the lamp that sit next to the memory seat control.

[theska]

Thanks!!!...I will measure them this weekend and let you know...

[xerexabante]

Try LKQonline.com

[theska]

Q45man1...I measured the tube LED that runs along the top of the inside of the cluster. It looks like the diameter of spaghetti and about as long too. It's about 3mm in diameter and rpughly 34cm in length. I appreciate your help on this...

[theska]

Q45man1...I measured the tube LED that runs along the top of the inside of the cluster. It looks like the diameter of spaghetti and about as long too. It's about 3mm in diameter and rpughly 34cm in length. I appreciate your help on this...

[theska]

I might cry...this is so frustrating...

[Q45man1]

Theska,

Based on your dimensions, we have a 3mm x 86mm tube. Please contact Digikey (http://www.digikey.com). Please reference our part # BF386-20B. This lamp has a color temp of 5400 K. The higher temp is more bluish white (cool white) and lower temp is more yellow white (warmer). I believe this will cost you less than $15.00 each. That's much better than sending your cluster and the reman company charges you $$.

Good luck.

[Q45man1]

Sorry the previous part number is wrong (that's well to short!!)
Please reference our number CF26346-37B (2.6mm x 346mm. 5000 K). This is our closest replacement part, a little bit longer.
Digikey has stock.

[theska]

THANKS!!! I ordered one today and will give it a try!

[HUTCHMON]

Having the same problem you have with the blackout. Did the bulb replacment solve your problem?

[longlivetitus]

Same story with me about a year ago, and I ended up finding a used cluster on ebay with approximately the same miles (lucky!) and swapped it out. I tired to get to the bulb but it kinda tough to get to it. I also think I toasted the circuit board altogether when the the instrument cluster went out. I was driving home for lunch and I heard a sizzling noise and a small puff of smoke emitting from my dash. I remember thinking the dash was going to blow up!

Changing out the instrument cluster isn't too tough, and can be done within an hour. You can also send you instrument cluster to Model Electronics (CA) for calibrating and mileage adjustment. Good luck!

Longlivetitus

[theska]

The bulb didn't work for me, so I am just getting by until I find a used cluster.

[longlivetitus]

If you do get a used cluster, make sure you have it calibrated with the correct miles per hour and mileage. The used cluster I received was inaccurate; the speed was off by 8 miles per hour and the mileage was 10 more than I had. You can contact Model Electronics and they will calibrate your used cluster for you. I got the reference from my Infiniti dealer of Marin (San Francisco). Changing your own cluster for the first time can be challenging. It took me 3 hours the first time, now I can do it in under 15 minutes! Let me know if I can help in any way.

[djwarner]

Ran across the following:

http://www.bba-reman.com/content.aspx?c ... -2002-Dash

No experience with them.

[djwarner]

FYI:

02-f50-smoke-from-dash-t258892.html