My instrument cluster stopped working and the lights won't turn off.

[BatmobileS240]

I was driving home from the dealership, and my instrument cluster stopped functioning. It's still displaying the mileage and temperature, but the data isn't updating. Furthermore, the tach and speedometer are no longer working. The right turn signal light on the cluster is also permanently on.

Also, when I turn off the car, the cluster will not turn off. The display and the right turn signal remain on. I'm afraid my battery will die soon.

Any idea? My car only has 500 miles on it

[Scrumpot]

Unfortunately, this is not unusual - and continues to happen to me as well, intermittently. Although knock-wood, it hasn't in a while now. Your only remedy is to disconnect the negative battery cable from it's terminal, in effect "resetting" the electrical and electronic systems of the car ENTIRELY.

1. Make sure your alarm IS NOT ON!
2. Disconnect the negative terminal, and count with it completely disconnected, to 30.
3. Reconnect and tighten down the terminal

All settings on your radio (clock, station pre-sets, tone preferences etc.) will need to be reset too, and this is a ROYAL PAIN!
Everything else will recycle/return to normal from there.

However, with the '08's especially, unfortunately:

Hope this helps.

[ransackman]

My cluster rests at 3krpm and 10mph, does anybody know how to solve this without going to the dealer?

[Scrumpot]

Originally Posted by ransackman

My cluster rests at 3krpm and 10mph, does anybody know how to solve this without going to the dealer?

What year car? There is a reset procedure for pre-'07's. Works on MOST '07's as well. It's not until you get into the '08's that you absolutely need to do the whole system shut-down/reset procedure I mentioned above.

A quick search on here for stranded guages should find it for you. It's also in your owner's manual as well.

[ransackman]

Originally Posted by Scrumpot

What year car? There is a reset procedure for pre-'07's. Works on MOST '07's as well. It's not until you get into the '08's that you absolutely need to do the whole system shut-down/reset procedure I mentioned above.

A quick search on here for stranded guages should find it for you. It's also in your owner's manual as well.

Awesomeo dude, thanks, I'll check it out.

[BatmobileS240]

Thanks! Worked like a charm, although it's really lame that the 08's have this problem.

Originally Posted by Scrumpot

Unfortunately, this is not unusual - and continues to happen to me as well, intermittently. Although knock-wood, it hasn't in a while now. Your only remedy is to disconnect the negative battery cable from it's terminal, in effect "resetting" the electrical and electronic systems of the car ENTIRELY.

1. Make sure your alarm IS NOT ON!
2. Disconnect the negative terminal, and count with it completely disconnected, to 30.
3. Reconnect and tighten down the terminal

All settings on your radio (clock, station pre-sets, tone preferences etc.) will need to be reset too, and this is a ROYAL PAIN!
Everything else will recycle/return to normal from there.

However, with the '08's especially, unfortunately:

Hope this helps.

[basstwo]

Hi

I have a 2008 S240 too. Last week the stereo suddenly decided to come on and it played for over a day before I found out it was on. Now it won't switch off like it used to when I remove the ignition key. I have to turn it off manually everytime PITA. Would this reset procedure work?

[qball]

Lucas must make the new clusters...

tadts

[alexscotti]

Originally Posted by basstwo

Hi

I have a 2008 S240 too. Last week the stereo suddenly decided to come on and it played for over a day before I found out it was on. Now it won't switch off like it used to when I remove the ignition key. I have to turn it off manually everytime PITA. Would this reset procedure work?

i don't know if this is the same problem i had or not. my 07 exige s used to have this problem. they replaced the stereo and it was fixed. you may just have a broken stereo.

[Scrumpot]

Originally Posted by basstwo

Hi

I have a 2008 S240 too. Last week the stereo suddenly decided to come on and it played for over a day before I found out it was on. Now it won't switch off like it used to when I remove the ignition key. I have to turn it off manually everytime PITA. Would this reset procedure work?

So, it used to shut off previously, as you removed the key, but now it no longer does, and instead stays on? Sounds to me more like something's broken within your key (steering column) recepticle. There is a spring-loaded switch that opens ("breaks") the accessory circuit, after the key is removed. Perhaps it has hung-up in there, or gotten stuck. Not sure if the battery re-set procedure in this case will be of any use for this, but you can certainly give it a try. If it doesn't work, put it on your "squak-list" for your next dealer service visit.

Good luck!
-Grant

[basstwo]

Originally Posted by Scrumpot

So, it used to shut off previously, as you removed the key, but now it no longer does, and instead stays on? Sounds to me more like something's broken within your key (steering column) recepticle. There is a spring-loaded switch that opens ("breaks") the accessory circuit, after the key is removed. Perhaps it has hung-up in there, or gotten stuck. Not sure if the battery re-set procedure in this case will be of any use for this, but you can certainly give it a try. If it doesn't work, put it on your "squak-list" for your next dealer service visit.

Good luck!
-Grant

Thanks. I have the nasty feeling that it's the Alpine playing up (it's brand new). If it was the accessaory switch then my V1 should have stayed on too but it turns off as it should. Will give the reset procedure a go (since it shouldn't do any harm) and let see what I come up with.

[AustinP]

My '08 just did the "dark dash" trick, it happened coincidentally (or maybe not) the moment I turned off the Alpine stereo. When I shut off the car, several random dash lights came on and stayed on (left turn signal, parking brake, something else I forget). System reset OK by disconnecting/reconnecting the negative battery cable. I wonder if the Alpine unit is poorly wired, a weak ground or some such thing. For now I'll just monitor, and see if it happens again. I'm also going to carry a 10mm wrench in case I need to do the battery disconnect (ECU reset) trick on the road sometime. Sigh.

[BatmobileS240]

Hooray for all the S240 owners that have to go through this!

[09EliseMW]

My instrument cluster died too. And I did that battery thig and it worked like a charm! Why does it do that?! I've been having so many problems with my Elise. Starting to make me angry. Maybe I shoulda gotten the cayman s.

[paulhastings]

With these issues I thought it funny the other day when I was watching a British car show and they were complaining of American automotive electrics.

[09EliseMW]

ive owned many cars. american and (import) japanese cars. none of which ever gave me electrical problems.. but this car is ridiculous. ive never seen so many threads about a/c's not working, or brake lights failing, or instrument cluster dieing. espeically on new cars. mines a 09 and ive had each one of those problems. its just a matter of time before something else goes wrong. i wonder what itll be... windshield wiper not stopping? who knows...

[Hoezone]

Weird... I haven't had any problems with my 2005 Elise till now. The tach & speedometer lights went out, but that's the only prob I've ever had period! (well... resetting the keyfob)

*trying to find a thread about getting to the gauge lights

[tesprit]

Originally Posted by Hoezone

Weird... I haven't had any problems with my 2005 Elise till now. The tach & speedometer lights went out, but that's the only prob I've ever had period! (well... resetting the keyfob)

*trying to find a thread about getting to the gauge lights

Have you tried using the button on the side of the steering column shroud (the one that also resets resets your trip odometer) to brighten the cluster lights? It is possible the brightness of the lights got turned down and they just need to be adjusted back up.