Sc430 Dash Cluster- Please Help!

[Ball boy]

Hi, I've owned and loved my sc430 for many years and never had any trouble with it.

Just recently my fuel gauge, temp gauge and dash lights stopped working completely, everything else on the dash works as it should. The accessory socket doesn't work either, I don't know if that stopped at the same time, I never use it. However, just before these problems I plugged in a faulty sat nav power lead which obviously didn't work.

I've checked every fuse on the car in every fuse box but can't find any blown fuses.

I really want it sorted ASAP, I hate not being able to drive my SC.

Hope somebody can point me in the right direction. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

[john leeds]

All fuses, in boot,bonnet and both footwells, have you tried the disconnected Battery trick as well,maybe plug a diagnostic tool in and see if it comes up with anything, it will be something simple I'm sure.

[Ball boy]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes I'm confident I checked all the fuse boxes, boot (just for the power hood it seemed) and the drivers footwell (that wss a laugh!) And both in the engine bay.

I did disconnect the Battery too but only for 10 minutes or so. Is that long enough?

I can get access to a scan tool at the weekend, I'll try that too.

[john leeds]

I think there is another fuse box in the passenger footwell as well, I sent a message to remember, but my car isn't here at the moment to check.

[stevet]

My accessory socket stopped working too and the fuse was in the passenger side. It's a bit hard to find as its above the hinged door of the storage compartment.

[Ball boy]

I'll check the passenger side today then. Can't believe how many fuses there are! Thanks for the info.

[Ball boy]

Right, to update- in my lunch break I found the passenger footwell fuse box. Dome fuse blown, replaced with same amp fuse and instruments still not working. Gutted.

Have no idea where to go now. I suppose I need to try a different instrument cluster and see if that sorts it. Must be a pretty hard item to find though!

[Neil E]

Did the new fuse blow as well or is it okay?

[ColinBarber]

Typically there is a gauge fuse, or D-IG, which feeds the meter. Within the combination meter itself there is a CPU and other electronics which may be at fault rather than this just being a simple fuse issue.

[Ball boy]

The fuse didn't blow. Still power at the accessory socket.

I take it the combination meter is the correct name for the dash cluster, my mistake.

I spoke to a company who specialise in combination meter repairs, they said they couldn't get parts for my lexus and wouldn't be able to help.

So Colin, are you saying you think the problem is the combination meter? Now does anyone know who might be able to check and repair it? Or should I look for a replacement. Will I have to have the milage on a new one corrected? My cars only done 23,000! She's a minter!

Thanks again for all your help.

[Neil E]

A few SCs have been broken in the recent past so I think you should be able to find a source of second-hand parts on the big auction site or by searching the breakers/used part suppliers.

Either swap the whole cluster or swap parts over on to your original cluster but it would be best to establish what the fault is before going too far.