Help Needed Please: Intermittent Dash Problem, Dash powers on and off randomly Options

[gigfread]

hey all,
i found this forum and thought it was the best place to come to ask for some help, as i bet there are many minds out there that may be able to figure this problem with my colt out.

I have a 1999 Mitsubishi Colt 1.6 GLX and until recently everything was working perfectly.
All of the instrument panel dials have stopped working which includes: The rev counter, speedo, fuel gage temperature sensor and the digital mileage readout. at first this seems like a simple fuse problem but all the fuses have been checked and rechecked by a professional and there is no simple explanation for this problem; The odd thing is that the dash lights still function correctly e.g indicators, engine check, handbrake light etc...
After putting it into the auto electrician he had no luck in locating any fault with the instrument panel, it seems to just come on and switch back off of its own accord.

Could it be a battery problem? or can anyone else shed any light on this very odd problem? as the instrument panel doesn't seem broken as it still functions some of the time.
thanks
Stuart

[2sick4ya]

i think mitsubishi fked up there. i kno 2 ppls, one with a galant, and one with a mirage. who have the same problem. mine did that too, but, i took out the dash, and, the connections were dirty.

whenever it happens, try the ol fashion way:

hit it a couple times, and, see if it starts. :thumbsup:

[chain rattle]

an idea

buy a second hand instument cluster from a car wrecker/junkyard

and fit that

some colts had a fault with the soldered connections
at the back of the instrument panel (dry or cracked solder )
the printed circuits to the solder joins

[KiT TeUnG 2549]

an idea

buy a second hand instument cluster from a car wrecker/junkyard

and fit that

some  colts had a fault with the soldered connections
at the back of the instrument panel  (dry or cracked solder )
the printed circuits to the solder joins
[right][snapback]195848[/snapback][/right]

Yes i have seen this after time . Chain Rattle is correct on that. Especially for ones that have been frequentlly removed. Sumtimes cleaning and retracting the pins a little made it fine for the rest of the car life.

[mpthimios]

Hi,
I got this problem a while ago and now on hot days the dashboard does not display anything.

Anyone knows how much difficult it is to remove the dashboard and clean the connectors? Do I have to remove the steering wheel also? (the repair manual is not so clear in this part...)

Thanks in advance,
Efthimios.

[Lewiman06]

so it cuts on an off at random times? does it ever do it when you hit a bump or anything? i'm an electrition kinda (went to the schools for it) and it sounds like you are getting an intermitent open in your main power line to your dash. but if an electrition checked it out then i hope he checked for that (or he doesn't belong in your car)

thats by best guess on your problem. but the others seem to think replacing the whole cluster will fix it, and that could easily fix it to. good luck and keep us posted. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)