Instrument cluster not working and draining battery

[s2martin]

Hello all

I'm new to the forum as I've only just bought my first Transit Connect, it's a LWB version from 2003. I've fixed a few issues with it, but am pretty stumped by a problem I'm having with the instrument cluster.

When I bought the van, the last MOT certificate said the mileage was unreadable, which I thought was odd, as it was displaying the (correct) mileage fine on instrument cluster. I'm not driving it every day, and it is currently SORN as I'm working on it as a project to convert into a solo camper van. I went out to it last weekend and when I tried to start it the battery was flat after being left for just a week since last driving it. So I charged up the battery and it started fine, but the majority of the instrument cluster had stopped working - the ignition/indicator lights etc. are all fine, but both LCD displays are blank and the speedo/rev counter/fuel and temp gauges are not working. Like I say, when I bought a few weeks ago, these were all working fine.

I did a load of research on the net and searched the forum, and it seems like this is a common fault - I took the cluster apart and inspected the soldered joints for the main switches and a few of them looked dry/cracked. So I resoldered them thinking this would sort the issue, but before I reassembled the whole unit, I thought I'd plug it in to the dash and connect the battery just to see if the LCDs would then at least start working. They were still not working, but I did notice that what I assume are the backlight LEDs were all lit up. I locked up the van and left it for 20 mins or so to see if they would go out after a while, but they were still on after about 30 minutes (see attached photo). I'm guessing it was this fault which drained the battery, and as I'd been working on the van in the daytime, I hadn't noticed the backlights were on.

So now I don't know where to look next for the fault, as everything I seem to find seems to point to the dry joints on the main switch, or a damp PCB, but this PCB has been in my house for a week so it can't be that. I've inspected the new soldered joints and they all look good, no shorting etc.

Has anyone else had a similar problem?

IMG_0174.JPG

[Jasonpaul]

My previous connect was a 2003 and I had a similar problem. Every few months all the gauges would die. I had to take the cluster off clean it up and put it back and then it fired back into life. I did this four or five times and simply removing it and reconnecting it seemed to fix it for a while.

There was a similar problem with the mk1 Focus. Ford eventually started selling new clusters at a cheap price in recognition of the problem.

[bortaf]

My connect was the same, prev owner fitted a relay to the constant live feed to it to stop the battery drain? int lights dont work with the ign off anymore but i can live with that, from what i've seen with other fords it's a dry solder joint on the PCB, you need a very good magnifying glass and check every joint or reflow them all till it's fixed !

[s2martin]

Thanks both for the replies, much appreciated!

I plan to get a decent magnifying glass and then reflow every joint on the board (not just the main connectors which I've already done) to see if that fixes it. I'll also clean the connector plugs too.

I'll update here with the outcome when I've done it.

[Kenton]

Just throwing this in there. You could try a cheap one from the breakers? I know the mileage won't tally up, but it would prove other systems are working 100%. I did this as my LED's are dim, and the clock controls/mileage reset have given up. I managed to get a cluster for 15 quid, but would rather the mileage be semi-correct. So after satisfying my curiosity, I have decided that at some point, I will get my current unit refurbished. Cost will be around 75 quid via a postal service. Your need is greater, so I would suggest a refub, or putting up with the mileage difference to save so much work.
Just my tuppence worth.
Good luck pal, keep us updated!

[R.a.knell]

My IC went on the blink, sent it off to essex recons for £75, got it back 3 days later good as new!

[Kenton]

My IC went on the blink, sent it off to essex recons for £75, got it back 3 days later good as new!

+1

[s2martin]

Thanks, a recon may be an option, seems like they are £95 now from Essex Recons, but would probably be worth it if I can't fix it. As I said, the van is off the road at the moment anyhow, so I have time and the tools (and maybe the skills!) to have a look to see if I can fix it first by checking all the joints. I'm pretty certain from spending another few hours researching it that it is the IC which is the problem rather than anything else. A unit from a breakers may good be a good plan too though if I could get one cheap to verify mine is a dud.

@Kenton - your van looks really tidy

[R.a.knell]

If you do confirm the cluster, then buy on ebay, essex recons are still £75. Ebay listing number is https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284194821536&seller=&toolid=10018&23777657" rel="nofollow">https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284194821536.

[s2martin]

If you do confirm the cluster, then buy on ebay, essex recons are still £75. Ebay listing number is https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284194821536&seller=&toolid=10018&23777657" rel="nofollow">https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284194821536.

Ah, superb, thanks! £25 cheaper than on their own website! Have added to my watch list in case I need it Magnifying glass arrived today so hope to have a close inspection of it over the weekend.

[Kenton]

Thanks, a recon may be an option, seems like they are £95 now from Essex Recons, but would probably be worth it if I can't fix it. As I said, the van is off the road at the moment anyhow, so I have time and the tools (and maybe the skills!) to have a look to see if I can fix it first by checking all the joints. I'm pretty certain from spending another few hours researching it that it is the IC which is the problem rather than anything else. A unit from a breakers may good be a good plan too though if I could get one cheap to verify mine is a dud.

@Kenton - your van looks really tidy

Thanks very much mate, it has been a long labour of love, but turned into a bit of a hobby All the best with the fault finding. It would be interesting to know what you find. I really should get my cluster done. The LEDs are dim, and the trip reset / clock adjustment buttons have packed up. Been like it for a while, but because the rest of it works fine, I have left it!
Good luck, and let us know!

[s2martin]

Just an update on this, last weekend I resoldered one of the joints on the board which looked a bit dodgy, but the rest of them looked OK after looking at each one through a strong magnifying glass. I was going to reflow them all, but decided my soldering skills weren't up to it and I'd most likely cause more damage if I tried. I called Essex Recons and spoke to someone there about it, explaining what was happening with it and that I had already resoldered all the main connection pins, and they advised to send it in for them to have a look at. They seemed to think it likely it was the cluster, but said if they put it on the bench and test it and it's OK, I'd only be charged £30 and they would return it. They also said it could be an error in the Body Control Module - I ran a diagnostic scan on the van but the BCM didn't show up, so I'm just going to send it off to be inspected. As I'm in no rush to get it fixed as I have lots of other jobs to do on the van at the moment, I'll likely send it off over the summer at some point.

[Altransit]

I don't think that a 2003 would have a body control module

[s2martin]

I don't think that a 2003 would have a body control module

Ha, that would explain that then, thanks! I am pretty clueless and learning as I go along

[Kenton]

I don't think that a 2003 would have a body control module

Good point. Mine hasn't. Dont think they were on the connects until the much later models, maybe 2010 onwards