Dash Cluster Display Not Working

[thstone]

The display on the right hand cluster stopped working - the other displays work fine. It typically displays the time and the electronic oil level indicator. Upon close inspection, the time is actually being displayed but the LCD segments are not illuminated.

Not critical but I like to keep on top of these minor issues. Any ideas where to start trouble-shooting? Car is a 1999 base 5-speed.

[stcroixdrew]

Your illumination bulb either needs to be reseated or replaced.....

[embryoguy@mac.com]

did you solve this? i think i have same issue just cant seem to find the right bulb, want to make sure new bulb matches other clusters

[thstone]

Thanks Drew!

I'll remove the cluster and take a look at the LCD illumination bulb sometime this week. Probably swap one of the working ones in just to make sure its the bulb and then find a replacement.

[MileHighBoxster]

While it's out you might consider led's as they won't later burn out.

[stcroixdrew]

Agreed..I converted to the blue LEDS years ago..from PorscheLeds.com...still love em.

[thstone]

Drew, can you post a pic of your blue illuminated cluster? It would be nice to see what it looks like.

[stcroixdrew]

Sorry for the slight blurrr...I ran out in the monsoon we are having here in Philly right now. Plus it matches my LED door handle Puddle lights I installed...

[gregdacat]

Those blue light look really nice. Good job!

[thstone]

Wow. Those blue LED's make the stock lamps look pretty low rent. Thanks for getting the pics in the rain, much appreciated!

[thstone]

Yep, it was just a cluster light that was out. Removing the cluster was pretty easy (I was kind of surprised).

I went ahead and ordered the blue LED kit from PorscheLEDS.com - that blue cluster looks really cool and updated compared to stock. Thanks.

[Mrmaddbrad]

Is the blue LED conversation a straight plug and play? Or does it require some modifcation?

[stcroixdrew]

Straight plug and play. Twist out the old and install the new...BUT they are polarity driven...sooo if some come on and another does NOT..you simply spin it 180 degrees. The whole dash kit is like 35 for 7 bulbs needed.

[thstone]

I tried installing the PorscheLEDs.com LED kit today and had problems. The three bottom LCD LED's work fine but I can't get any of the four gauge display LED's to work. Maybe they are just too dim to see in the daylight? Tried adjusting the brightness using the stalk adjustment but no joy. Also, the two blue socket LED's fit very loosely into the gauge display connectors (they kind of flop around and that can't be good when the OEM's twist in nice and snug).

What should have been plug and play turned into 90mins of install LED, replace back cluster cover, re-attach to cables in car, test, fail, turn 180 degs, repeat, fail, try moving LED's around, repeat, fail, try doing one at a time, repeat, fail....

Finally gave up and re-installed OEM lamps and the gauges light up fine.

***Follow up***
Got them all working. Just needed to slightly bend the holder tabs to keep the LCD tightly in place.

[stcroixdrew]

Sometimes I found you have to LIGHTLY push up the 2 little contacts on the base of the bulbs....I mean take a dental pick and just push it in slightly and allow the tap to raise just a hair above the base ......and when installing ..dont force them down...just insert into grooves and slowly rotate without pushing contacts into base. i understand the frustration..its short lived once working. and yes they are harder to see during the day...I used a towel over the steering wheel to see them. Hope this helps a bit for you.

[curt0721]

This is my first post so bear with me. I plan to replace the LCD backlight bulbs on my recently acquired 97 as one bulb is out. I use a Battery Tender Plus on all my lightly used batteries including this Porsche. I will disconnect the battery for the bulb replacement. My question is this: Can I leave the battery tender plugged into the cigarette lighter during the bulb replacement and thereby avoid having to reset the radio, clock and windows?
Thanks

[stcroixdrew]

You dont need to disconnect the battery.....in order to install the LEDs...you will be disconnecting the plugs in the rear of the cluster.....and you will need the power to test that they are in correctly and properly working....be patient.....

[curt0721]

thanks for the advice: there is a great deal of information regarding the cluster removal and I have the Bentley service manual so I believe I can do this. Next up will be oil/filter changes. Great forum!

[stcroixdrew]

Cluster removal is easy....ish.....the hidden screw behind the hazard button is the one thats tricky.....the switch has to be fully slid out before the plug can be removed downward from under the cluster.....and ???s...feel free to contact.

[Crono0001]

Does the hazard button just pop out? How did you remove yours?
My LEDs are on the way :P