Dash Lights and Clock not working - Help!

[HertsPete]

Hi,

I've had my van for a few months now and the clock and dash lights have never worked (the gauges, warning lights, heater illumiation all do). I though it was about time I got it sorted.

As far as I can see the fuse is OK (though I'm not 100% sure I've identified the right one - I used the owners manual but it's not very clear)

I removed a bulb and it hasn't blown, so I'm assuming the previous owner may have disconnected the clock. Maybe the dash light power disappeared at the same time.

Anyone got any ideas?
(How would someone disconnect the clock, how do I know if I've got the right fuse that controls it)

Thanks

Pete

p.s. in case it matters, I've a 1989, Water cooled 1.9 Petrol.

[1664]

I had this happen to my old van. It turned out to be corroded contacts where the flexible printed circuit board plugs into the plastic wiring connector behind the instrument panel. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DELICATE PLACE so if you cannot find a problem anywhere else it might be here. Only disturb this connection as a last resort.

The flexible strip just pulls out revealing the bare copper strip ends which can be carefully cleaned. Clean in the same directions as the strips run as opposed to across them else you might 'lift' the copper strip off the flexible plastic which will make reinsertion back into the plastic connector extremely difficult. You can clean the plastic wiring connector too.

As I said, exhaust all other avenues before you tamper with this bit.

[Aidan]

it's probably a fault on the edge contacts on the multiplug connection to the pcb - the clock being permanantly live (track 5) tends to go brittle, instrument light track 1.note this is 86my on track numbers, early is 7 for clock and 3 for instrument lights.
give the multiplug a wiggle gently in case the plastic is brittle/damaged and see if that helps,
failing that I'd remove the whole binnacle and take a close up look at the edge connections and the circuit and do some continuity testing. It is possible to repair the pcb tracks using liquid electrical paint from Maplins and a very fine paintbrush and care
cleaning contacts with a green pan scourer v v gently may be all that is required

[Helga]

On the same topic, which of the multi plug conectors would you clean on an 82 German inport Westy for the fuel gauge?

Also, some of the conectors in the plastic plug appear bent, can you get a new plastic conector and new clips still? If so, where?!

Thanks!

[Aidan]

early fuel guage track 8
the tracks are marked on the very end of the circit, ie the bit folded round, but in german of course
the connectors are self sprung type
damaged perhaps by someone heavy handed with a test meter.
use a pin to extract from the plug and try and fix them
vw only probably source and even they might not do them
or get a scrapper to cut the plug off with the terminals intact and do some splicing maybe