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        General >> Problems >> 1996 Ultima failed instrument & clock illumina
        
(Message started by: Paul_Boulden on Jan 29^th, 2005, 3:21pm)

Title: 1996 Ultima failed instrument & clock illumina
Post by Paul_Boulden on Jan 29^th, 2005, 3:21pm

The main instrument panel & clock on my 96 Ultima saloon no longer illuminate when the headlights are on although everything else seems OK, the fuse is fine ( substituted ) so what else do I look for ?

When I bought the car the clock did not illuminate which was not a problem but it suddenly lit up for no apparent reason, I assume a loose connection or wiring fault. Now that I cannot read the speedo at night it is a problem.

Paul Boulden

Title: Re: 1996 Ultima failed instrument & clock illu
Post by scorpio_man on Jan 29^th, 2005, 5:49pm

hi there

could well be a faulty headlight switch. remove and check for any burnt bits at the connectors.

hth

Title: Re: 1996 Ultima failed instrument & clock illu
Post by Paul_Boulden on Jan 29^th, 2005, 10:14pm

I have removed the switch ( a fairly recent replacement ) and one of the terminals in the plug is burnt with some melting of the plastic, what is the likely cause and can the plug be replaced ?

Many thanks,

Paul Boulden

Title: Re: 1996 Ultima failed instrument & clock illu
Post by Baz on Jan 30^th, 2005, 10:04am

Paul,

the switches are still available from fords and I am lead to believe that one from an earlier Mondeo will also fit (Don't know for absolute certain but someone mentioned it here a while ago)

Baz

You may also get one on EBay as well

Title: Re: 1996 Ultima failed instrument & clock illu
Post by Paul_Boulden on Jan 30^th, 2005, 11:56am

Hi Baz,
The switch isn`t the problem ( at the moment ), it`s the blue plug that connects to it, I wonder if it can be replaced and also what is causing the terminal to get hot.

Paul

Title: Re: 1996 Ultima failed instrument & clock illu
Post by malcolm on Jan 31^st, 2005, 7:59pm

Hi Paul the plug is burnt due to a bad connection which causes the switch to get very hot this will have ruined the switch internally melting the switch contacts into the body, If you can clean up the plug give it a scrape and cover it with vasoline a new switch may cure your problem if not you will need to get another plug from the scrappers and join it out with connectors and tape hope this helps malcolm

Title: Re: 1996 Ultima failed instrument & clock illu
Post by Paul_Boulden on Jan 31^st, 2005, 8:27pm

Hi Malcolm,
The switch ( only a few months old ) seems fine but the one it replaced had melted causing the tail lights to fail ( it had to happen on the M5 at 4 a.m., I had to annoy other roadusers by using rear fogs temporarily ). The plug contact that has burnt is on the corner of the block so I should be able to cut it out and fit a new connector.
Thanks for the help.
Paul