Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge 2015 model (pre-facelift) - The inner LCD screen has gone dark

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Wed 7 Dec 2022 15:47
Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge 2015 model (pre-facelift) - The inner LCD screen has gone dark - Ex Alfa mail

Hello and apologies for asking another question. We have a Fiat 500 where the inner LCD screen, the one inside the mechanical speedometer and tachometer needles, has suddenly dimmed and is now blank. It was working fine and suddenly the whole screen showed all the letters and symbols. When I stopped I restarted the car and the same screen remained. This screen is the simple orange LCD one that normally has the fuel gauge on the left and the temperature gauge on the right. When I got home I switched on and off again and this time this screen dimmed (not completely dark} but no gauges or numbers showed. I have looked on line and checked the tailgate wiring, the 5 amp fuse in the "glovebox", and disconnected the "snap on" connector on the negative terminal. Also tested the battery and it is fine. I have looked at various Fiat forums but none describe my symptoms. So any bright ideas (a poor attempt at humour)?

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Wed 7 Dec 2022 16:08
Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge 2015 model (pre-facelift) - The inner LCD screen has gone dark - elekie&a/c doctor
Firstly check everything on the tailgate works . Rear wipe , number plate lights and boot release also hi level brake light . If that’s all in order , then the fuse is probably ok . I suspect you may have a dash pod issue, which is not unknown on these. May be an idea to disconnect the earth lead to the battery completely. There are firms that repair the pods on these . New units are expensive.

Edited by elekie&a/c doctor on 07/12/2022 at 16:12

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Wed 7 Dec 2022 16:38
Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge 2015 model (pre-facelift) - The inner LCD screen has gone dark - Ex Alfa mail

Thanks for the prompt reply. All the rear lights (including third brake) work, as does the rear wiper. I've checked the actual screen and the back light does dim when the main lights are switched on. I'll go and disconnect the battery. I've checked my local Fiat dealer and they can't get me seen until the third week of January! I'll keep you posted. Many thanks again.

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Wed 7 Dec 2022 16:43
Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge 2015 model (pre-facelift) - The inner LCD screen has gone dark - elekie&a/c doctor
If the dash is found to be faulty, Fiat dealer won’t repair it . New unit only . I think they are £500 plus . On a car this age , I’d be looking at a specialist repair.
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Wed 7 Dec 2022 17:54
Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge 2015 model (pre-facelift) - The inner LCD screen has gone dark - Ex Alfa mail

Thanks doc. The reboot didn't work as hoped, but this time there are what I would describe as random pixels showing. A quick scan, using better search terms, shows that this is a surprisingly common problem. And yet the dealer claimed no knowledge of it. The best option does indeed appear to be to send the instrument pod to be reconditioned. Thanks again.

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Wed 14 Dec 2022 17:15
Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge 2015 model (pre-facelift) - The inner LCD screen has gone dark - Ex Alfa mail

Just to close this off. I followed the doc's advice and had the instrument pod remanufactured by a specialist. By keeping the original unit I avoided the problems of having to pair up the unit (proxy alignment). The service cost just short of £250 but a large part of it was the courier element, total turnaround time was three days, removal and refitting of the unit was done by my local garage for a token £50.

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Thu 15 Dec 2022 06:17
Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge 2015 model (pre-facelift) - The inner LCD screen has gone dark - paul 1963

Brilliant stuff, thanks for taking the trouble to get back, Doc to the rescue again!

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Thu 15 Dec 2022 15:56
Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge 2015 model (pre-facelift) - The inner LCD screen has gone dark - Chris M

Assuming you were happy with the service provided, can you share the name of the specialist as it may be useful for others in the future?

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Fri 16 Dec 2022 08:18
Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge 2015 model (pre-facelift) - The inner LCD screen has gone dark - Ex Alfa mail

Of course, with the caveat that it is still early days and the instrument pod may fail the moment after I have posted this! The firm was Actronics, based in Essex. I understand they are trade only, but setting up an account was very straightforward. Sadly I am not in the least mechanically able so this suited me fine as I use my local garage for all such jobs. In terms of service, they were very effective communicators and impressively prompt in their turnaround. I guess the more mechanically able would want one of the many others out there who do serve the general public. As I have said before, the value of this website is its contributors and their willingness to share knowledge, experience and collective wisdom.

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Fri 16 Dec 2022 08:55
Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge 2015 model (pre-facelift) - The inner LCD screen has gone dark - elekie&a/c doctor
Ac Tronics are a Dutch company with UK branch in Colchester . Used them on many occasions and found to be very efficient. There are plenty of other firms that do special electronic repairs, but not had any experience of these.
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