Hello guys iv just bought a mk6 transit recovery truck and i have some issues i could really do with some help or just any input at all really it may be a long post as im remembering things as i go so i apologise i just don't want to miss something that could be relevant.
the speedo and temp gauge don't work so iv been having a look into it and trying to figure out what's at fault. i notice that when i turn the ignition on the temp needle drops slightly so i thought well maybe the sensor is knackered as the gauge itself appears to move i plugged in my OBD2 bluetooth device and connected with torque pro (well tried it wont connect) so i got out my proper wired scanner did a generic scan (just because its normally quicker way to get to live data and it wont connect.
(i should mention many many wires behind the dash have been cut, spliced and replaced mainly around the stereo area and for example 2 relays added which appear to go to the hazard relay... guessing something to do with indicators maybe because it has led rear lights someone added those so they don't flash fast for some reason i am really not sure, also a few ignition wires are cut and replaced.... nothing around the speedo seems to be touched though i think i may take the dash out and get a full view of the wires.... anyway back to the point i wasn't that surprised it wouldn't connect)
i then tried going vehicle specific and surprise surprise it did connect and i could view data so i looked at the temp gauge and turned the engine on and it was around 20C and started to rise i was doing some other bits at the time so i turned the engine off when it got to 30C as the sensor is clearly working to a degree although i will test it properly next time i take the truck out which should be tomorrow, and same with the speed (i didn't move the van at the time so didn't see if the speed changed)
i started searching for new instrument clusters online as i was starting to feel it was possible it was at fault (i also have a dash illumination issue it blows the fuse straight away and same with sidelight fuse so i thought maybe there was a short inside the cluster and could be related... who knows sidelights switch has been tapped into and run to the leds around back of cab and back of the truck by previous owner) and that is when i had a brainwave which i couldn't believe i hadn't realised before.... the truck is a 2005 and it has a analogue cluster.... its my understanding that all July 2003 onwards mk6s are digital?
i also notice that it looks as if the rad has been out at the front or at least the slam panel (rad rubber supports appear to be on top of the panel and i believe they should be under it supporting the rad although i could be wrong) and i am now wondering if this was for an engine swap and they used an early engine and ran into issues and swapped the cluster and probably the wiring loom ect.
my main question is if it does end up that it has a mix match of parts in it is there an easy way to get the gauges to work? currently its blowing my mind just thinking about the amount of possible combinations of parts as i assume speedo probably doesn't work due to it being a 2005 box (maybe) and a pre 2003 cluster and i assume they use different sensors and probably the same with the temp gauge.
i saw that there was a guide on converting from analogue to digital dash and thought that could help shed some light but i cant access it as it says i don't have the required permissions or something like that. i appreciate that it is fairly odd situation to be in and many variables.
at this point i feel i cant even be sure what engine is in it although its so gutless up hill loaded i am confident it is still a 90bhp engine (cruise at 55-60mph hit a fair size incline going east on the a303 and it slows to 45mph)
yes i was annoyed by this... but i am used to my mk7 2.4 140bhp that is probably only ever 2.6 or so tonne total rather than the near on 3.5 the truck is loaded.
anyway any help would be appreciated and i cant wait to find out what kind of circle of hell awaits to get it working as it should again
Thanks
Owen