Fiat Ducato Instrument Panel Lights - Advice Please

[Falcon 269]

Morning, all.

I've been aware for a while of the issue of dimmed warning lights appearing on Ducato instruments but despite searching here, haven't been able to find out what happens if they're left unsorted.

Ours is a 2014 model and I suspect we've had this going on for many years. It just wasn't obvious when we lived in Spain because the ambient light levels tended to mask it. I became aware of it briefly on a trip to the UK early in 2020 but ignored it because of higher priority things going on at the time. We've just come back from our first short excursion this past week and have another 3-week trip to Germany soon. This time I noticed the dimmed ABS and a few other warning lights and would appreciate some advice on how best to sort it out and the risks if I don't do it immediately.

The specific questions are:

Would Fiat replace the instrument panel for free because this has been a long-known fault? Clearly we're well out of original warranty but I live in hope.

I understand there is a company which repairs the instrument panels for around £150 and they would be my fall-back option. However, do I need to do this right now or could it wait until after our Germany trip?

What are the chances of a total instrument panel failure with this fault? Would this render the vehicle undriveable? I suspect it would but would be interested in anyone's first-hand experiences.

Thanks in advance, folks.

 

[2GB Racing]

Have a full search on here for lots of help and ideas, For me I sent the cluster to I believe Carteck ? Then replaced dials with white faces, Still not much better so will add very small led lights to illuminate it better.

 

[GeoffnDee]

The company that repair this problem are www.cartronix.co.uk and maybe they can advise you if a repair is needed at this time or if it can be done at a later date. they have a quick turnaround time for repair and also may have a while you wait service.

 

[Falcon 269]

Thanks for your replies, guys. I have spent quite a long while going through what the Search facility here showed me but it didn't answer the questions I posed above.

It did point me at Cartronix as the outfit which replaces many of the poor quality components on the OE circuit boards and I will probably give them a call to find out what they think about delaying the fix.

I would still be interested in the first-hand experience of any forum member who has had their instrument panel fail completely.

Cheers!

 

[bobandjanie]

Our last van only did that with cruise control On, if it was Off all was OK, if they spot lights On at the itv station it would fail. Bob.

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[Lenny HB]

I don't think it causes any long term problems but it will fail an MOT.
I had Cartronix fix the one on my last van, dropped the consol off and picked it up a couple of hours later.
You won't get any joy out of Fiat.

 

[Falcon 269]

The warning lights in question come on very dimly, not full warning brightness. Possibly not noticeable during MOT test or maybe just an advisory. Wasn't commented on during MOT a few months ago but either way, useful reminder, so thanks for that.

I keep cruise selected On all the time, even though I only engage it for speed control on motorways/dual carriageways. I'll check to see if deselecting cruise affects the problem.

 

[Stealaway]

My 2019 panel lights are still so dim even though the dash lights are are always on .

I bought a mirror from Poundland - chalk and cheese - no problems now

 

[Lenny HB]

My 2019 panel lights are still so dim even though the dash lights are are always on .

I bought a mirror from Poundland - chalk and cheese - no problems now

View attachment 603070

View attachment 603071

That's a good result, but it's the warning lights the thread is about.

 

[Stealaway]

That's a good result, but it's the warning lights the thread is about.

Why didn't you tell me sooner???

Sorry Falcon

Although my warning lights are also not very good

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[POH]

My 2019 panel lights are still so dim even though the dash lights are are always on .

I bought a mirror from Poundland - chalk and cheese - no problems now

View attachment 603070

View attachment 603071

I like it, how do you keep the mirror in place without it falling off and breaking .

 

[Lenny HB]

I like it, how do you keep the mirror in place without it falling off and breaking .

Bet he uses Bluetac, that's how I keep my GPS speedo in place.

 

[Gellyneck]

Our last van only did that with cruise control On, if it was Off all was OK, if they spot lights On at the itv station it would fail. Bob.

Similar to ours however even with cruise control off the lights showed very dimly.

I keep cruise selected On all the time, even though I only engage it for speed control on motorways/dual carriageways. I'll check to see if deselecting cruise affects the problem.

Ours with CC off

Ours with CC on

Not very clear but will give you the idea.
Local MOT place said would probably be a fail but needed to check in more detail.

 

[Falcon 269]

Difficult to compare directly because ambient light conditions will be a factor but ours don't glow as brightly as yours with cruise on.

I'd say ours are only ever as bright as yours in the photo with the cruise off. Not noticeable at all with bright sunshine in the cabin, and we've hardly done any night driving to see how it appears then.

Very helpful photos, thank you for taking the trouble to upload them.

 

[Stealaway]

I like it, how do you keep the mirror in place without it falling off and breaking .

I took it out of its frame and stuck duct tape along the back.
I taped a piece of small plastic trunking along the bottom and it rests nicely into the steering wheel gap and on the reversing sensor panel.
Its about 4x3 inch's.

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[Stealaway]

Bet he uses Bluetac, that's how I keep my GPS speedo in place.

With the correct application of advanced engineering there no requirement for Bluetack --- Plus ----------- I didn't have any

 

[Gellyneck]

With the correct application of advanced engineering there no requirement for Bluetack --- Plus ----------- I didn't have any

and duct tape is cheaper!

 

[Stealaway]

and duct tape is cheaper!

Ahhhh but --- I've loads of tape so I didn't have to go spending any more money --- Do you realise how much that mirror cost??

 

[Lenny HB]

With the correct application of advanced engineering there no requirement for Bluetack --- Plus ----------- I didn't have any

Does it fall off when you lower the steering column?
Always lower mine when we stop to allow the seat to go back further otherwise its too close to the table.

 

[Stealaway]

Does it fall off when you lower the steering column?
Always lower mine when we stop to allow the seat to go back further otherwise its too close to the table.

With the better quality vans there is no need to move the steering wheel to take the seats back to max.





I modified and moved my table towards the passenger as she was too far away from the table at meal times, I have loads of room on my side but mine is not left hand drive
It probably wouldn't even if you did lower the steering wheel