Clock not working?

[Fozziebear]

The clock on my speedo is just blank is it a case of replacing the whole unit it or could it be a fuse etc?
My van is a Westfalia California

Thanks

[California Dreamin]

By clock do you mean the LCD panel?
These normally suffer from 'bleed' but if there is no operation then I would suspect a PCB issue...unfortunately neither are available new.

Martin

[Fozziebear]

By clock do you mean the LCD panel?
These normally suffer from 'bleed' but if there is no operation then I would suspect a PCB issue...unfortunately neither are available new.

Martin

Martin you are a man of knowledge!
Yeah it's the small LCD panel on the speedo so there is no easy fix then?
I take it PCB issue will be a big job.

Thanks

[CovKid]

Golf ones (forget which model) are identical but theres a heavy VW-retro tax on them - bizarre when you consider that there are modern ones on ebay that with minor modding will fit the same slot, with more functions and for only a few quid, if not pennies.

[marlinowner]

Here's my solution from last summer.
Got it dimming now by fitting a potentiometer in series with the led supply, and fitted blue leds in place of dash bulbs.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 42&alt=web" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fitted an lcd clock from ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181813557391? ... EBIDX%3AIT" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fixed into aperture with glue gun and wired to connections for original clock. Backlight connected to instrument lights, doesn't dim though.

Dims with dash lights now with a 10k resistor in series with light.

[California Dreamin]

That looks really good but what about changing the date/time etc...do the holes line up with the buttons?

Martin

[marlinowner]

No the buttons come on a flylead routed up past the speedo so I have to take the dash cover off. I considered trying to rig up buttons where they were on the original clock but have never got round to it.

[California Dreamin]

Brilliant..I don't see removing the plastic cover as much of an issue, it's not like the clock is adjusted very often.
How successful is the resistor at dimming the backlight and does it effect overall brightness when dimmer is turned back up...
The blue looks very 'aqua' sort of colour tone..is that a true likeness.

Cheers
Martin

[CovKid]

Mine works the same way as far as adjustment is concerned, although I'm modding mine so it has its own supply (rechargeable) for those odd occasions when you need to disconnect battery for extended period.

[California Dreamin]

By clock do you mean the LCD panel?
These normally suffer from 'bleed' but if there is no operation then I would suspect a PCB issue...unfortunately neither are available new.

Martin

Martin you are a man of knowledge!
Yeah it's the small LCD panel on the speedo so there is no easy fix then?
I take it PCB issue will be a big job.

Thanks

You need to follow a diagnostic process and check that you have a 12 volt feed and earth to the clock before making any decisions. The PCB on these is a flexible plastic affair with bendable copper tracks. The plastic on most has hardened over 30 years making them brittle and susceptible to breaking. The copper tracks also 'tarnish' causing poor connections.

Martin

[marlinowner]

The resistor dims the backlight so it's perfectly acceptable and brightness changes with dimmer but not as much as the dash bulbs. I might fit a 20k pot next time it's all apart to fine tune it. Colour is pretty close to the photo.