Instrument cluster light fail

[slogans7]

For a while, the lights on the instrument cluster (not the LCDs - they work fine) in my 2002 S would come on intermittently. Now they come on perhaps once a month. I took the car to my mechanic who told me he'd have to pull the cluster and send it to a specialist who could charge as high as $700 to fix some electronics in the panel. I told him I'd prefer to drive in the dark. $700!?!? Does that sound right? Anyone know if it's feasible and cheaper to simply replace the cluster? And is that just a plug-and-play process?

[yimmy149]

More likely it's your headlight switch. Have you ever had that replaced? They fail often.

-james

[grace1111]

One of the most common signs of a headlight switch problem is the non-functioning headlight, which is in perfect working condition. Another indicator of a headlight switch problem is non-functioning of the low beam head light. If you encounter any of these problems, the headlight switch is repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

[slogans7]

Originally Posted by yimmy149

More likely it's your headlight switch. Have you ever had that replaced? They fail often.

-james

I'll give it a try. The headlights work fine although I just noticed the warning bell doesn't come on when I leave the lights on when exiting the car.

[Lil bastard]

Headlight switch or ignition switch. Something tells me it's the latter...

Cheers!

[yimmy149]

Originally Posted by slogans7

I'll give it a try. The headlights work fine although I just noticed the warning bell doesn't come on when I leave the lights on when exiting the car.

My car doesn't have a bell either, but I think that's normal since you are meant to leave your lights on in some situations in Germany. Would be nice if it dinged if you left it in the headlight position, since that would be most likely unintentional - even though the headlights shut off.

-james

[slogans7]

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

Headlight switch or ignition switch. Something tells me it's the latter...

Cheers!

Called my mechanic who said he tested both and they're both fine. I'm looking around to find a used instrument cluster but the only ones available on e-bay are for manual trannies, and I need Tiptronic. Any suggestions where I may look?

[blue2000s]

If they still come on at all, I'd either suspect a switch as has been suggested or a connector. If it's not a switch, I'd pull off the instrument cluster and massage the pins in the connectors that run into the dashboard area. I'd guess that it's not a problem that would require a new cluster.

[AMG]

I have the exact same issue with My 2003 Boxster S, and have actually posted this about a month ago.

Since then i have had had the fulse box open, cleaned the fuses that relate to the dashboard illumination. On the same circuit (which i think is A or B5) is the rear numberplate light, so next time it happens check if this comes on. If the rear numberplate light doesn't come on (check to make sure the bulb works first though) then its all connected and not going to be a problem with your instrument cluster.

I'm not sure if i just had a loose connection as when i banged the fuse box area and moved the wired going into the rear of this the dashoboard lights sometimes came on. Above the fuse box are also relays and i made sure that these we all seated properly. i think i may of had a dry connection somewhere and moving the wires has made the circuit work again.

Although i havent tested the car on the road due to the snow in the UK, everytime I try them in the garage they have worked first time.

Hopefully you may have some luck and find this works to.

All the best

[slogans7]

Thank you, I'll check out the fuse box when I get home.

Originally Posted by AMG

I have the exact same issue with My 2003 Boxster S, and have actually posted this about a month ago.

Since then i have had had the fulse box open, cleaned the fuses that relate to the dashboard illumination. On the same circuit (which i think is A or B5) is the rear numberplate light, so next time it happens check if this comes on. If the rear numberplate light doesn't come on (check to make sure the bulb works first though) then its all connected and not going to be a problem with your instrument cluster.

I'm not sure if i just had a loose connection as when i banged the fuse box area and moved the wired going into the rear of this the dashoboard lights sometimes came on. Above the fuse box are also relays and i made sure that these we all seated properly. i think i may of had a dry connection somewhere and moving the wires has made the circuit work again.

Although i havent tested the car on the road due to the snow in the UK, everytime I try them in the garage they have worked first time.

Hopefully you may have some luck and find this works to.

All the best

[steell]

Originally Posted by slogans7

Thank you, I'll check out the fuse box when I get home.

Hi,
i have a Boxster 04 plate and the dashboard lights and the Number plate light doesnt work. was there a fix for this ? Thanks