| Author |
 Topic  |
|
| |
Current Topic Rating:  | Join the Forum to Rate this Topic at: www.VNCommodore.com Support Forums
|
|
|
Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
 |
 Posted - 08 Apr 2010 : 5:34:17 PM
|
Was speaking to an instrument workshop today called Howards Instruments, about the sort of problems in a VN dash, namely the slow fuel gauge and the dodgy speedo. The fuel gauge can be fixed internally, but the speedo is an interesting one.
Number 12 fuse under the dash, identified as "Transmission controls, reversing lights," has a little bearing on the problem. With my own VN, a Series 1 Executive, on a warm day, if you go over 80km/h the speedo will "wobble" up and down; will show 80km/h and higher, but the needle will keep dropping back to 60, then back up again. The lesser known, partial cause is this No. 12 fuse. At first the fuse might appear intact. In this case, it had a fine hairline crack, creating just enough resistance to cause trouble. I know the circuit board behind it needs work, but the instrument techies are right. After today's test drive at 100km/h it is better behaved. Not perfect, but definitely better. Apparently this problem is exclusive to the VN; when Holden screw up, they actually fix the problem, not sweep it under the carpet.
|
|
Report to Moderator |
|
|
Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
|
Posted - 16 Apr 2010 : 5:46:31 PM
|
| Got a quote for a full recon from these guys for the dash instrument cluster, and every instrument on an Exec can be done for less than $150. It all depends on how much soldering they have to do on the circuit board behind the instrument cluster. This still aces AISAT's (WA) quote by at least $30 |
Report to Moderator  |
|
|
hsv_babe
Fully Licenced
269 Posts
 |
Posted - 28 Apr 2010 : 7:38:44 PM
|
| Where are these guys located? I havent been able to find anyone where i live that is able to do it |
I'd gladly push my holden than drive a bloody ford! |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
|
Posted - 29 Apr 2010 : 12:10:09 AM
|
110 Northern Rd.
Heidelberg Heights 3081
http://www.howardinstruments.com.au/
These ugys have been doing this for over 40 years, and it's a husband and wife team. They're both as knowledgeable as each other, and they blew AISAT Wa's quote out of the water |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
hsv_babe
Fully Licenced
269 Posts
|
Posted - 29 Apr 2010 : 7:51:28 PM
|
| Thanks heaps for that mate!!1 |
I'd gladly push my holden than drive a bloody ford! |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
|
Posted - 29 Apr 2010 : 8:18:20 PM
|
| No probs, these guys are really easy to deal with. One thing they did tell me to check, before you take oout the instrument cluster. The no.12 fuse under the dash. Check to make sure it's ok. Sometimes they can mess with things, but just change it anyway, to be sure |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
delcowizzid
P Plater
69 Posts
|
Posted - 30 Apr 2010 : 10:03:39 PM
|
| it takes about 20 minutes to fix the fuel gauge in vn dashes just have to resolder the voltage regulator inside it easy job to do yourself.typical holden dry solder joints stop all sorts of things working |
delco tuner and hacker |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
|
Posted - 04 May 2010 : 10:55:31 PM
|
| This one has some mechanical faults to do with the trip meter and odometer as well. This I have no idea of how to fix, and I suck at fine solder work. Join two pieces of 10 amp wire, no problem. Join two pieces of fine, brittle circuit board, it'll end in tears if I do it |
Edited by - Mechknight73 on 04 May 2010 10:56:59 PM |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Tonto
P Plater
67 Posts
|
Posted - 07 May 2010 : 2:54:31 PM
|
Hi......interesting, i have vn series 1. Speedo seems ok but.(has stuck in the past but not for last 6 months)
Temp and fuel gauge seem to have a mind if their own, They both seem to move at the same time ie: Temp gauge low, Fuel gauge low. and vise versa.
On a 50k trip to/from work this can change from 5 to ten times.
even with a full tank, gauge will show anywhere from 1/2 to full.
and while i'm here..anyone know why heater fan only works on 3/4 and not on 1/2
some times i give everything a 'WHACK' to get them working
any help appreciated...cheers |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
|
Posted - 07 May 2010 : 10:46:34 PM
|
The aircon blower fan has two main things that go wrong; the switch itself and the fan speed control module. The fan speed module is under the bonnet, under that panel between the windscreen and the firewall. You will see a dome held down by two screws. Underneath it is a module with a 4-pin connector. If it's the original, it will have 3 coil-type assemblies (like the filaments in a lightbulb) on it. If any of them are burnt out, replace the module and see if it makes a difference. If not, replace the switch.
The speedo has no direct cable connection to the gearbox; it's all electronic. To get to the module, undo the four scres that hold the fascia surround on (one screw each under wiper and headlight switches, two immediately above the instruments) unplug the connectors and lift out the instrument module. There is a flexible circuit board behind the instrument cluster, and circuit breaks on it are the main offender for problems with the instruments. I would recommend you do what I'm doing at the moment, buy a spare one to use while you recondition your old one, or recon another one to put in it.
While the instrument cluster is out, check all your bulbs, including the ones in the dash fascia surround. All the switches around the instrument cluster are meant to be backlit; you will see tiny black bulb holders hidden away behind them. Also, you will see a row of bulbs along the bottom; these are the various warning lights, and indicator lights on the dash. May as well service them all while you can get at them, rather than put it together and find a dud after the fact |
Edited by - Mechknight73 on 07 May 2010 10:50:11 PM |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Tonto
P Plater
67 Posts
|
Posted - 08 May 2010 : 10:32:56 AM
|
| Cheers mechnight, hopefully i'll get some time today to have a look. Main prob at the moment is heaters, think i'll tackle that one first. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
VNSVLE
Forum Moderator
1316 Posts
|
Posted - 08 May 2010 : 2:29:26 PM
|
| +1 with the fan speed resistor. I would say in your case would be a sure thing. If you do need a new one try and get a solid state resistor as this will last alot longer than the standard filiment type. I believe some series 2's and vp had them. Cant remember for the life of me where I got mine from. |
What's the difference between understeer and oversteer?
Understeer is when the driver is scared.
Oversteer is when the passenger is scared. |
Edited by - VNSVLE on 08 May 2010 2:31:23 PM |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
|
Posted - 08 May 2010 : 7:02:31 PM
|
| I bought a brand new solid state unit from a Holden dealer, and it still made bugger all difference. The appointment with the auto sparky is this Tuesday, so I can pull these gremlins' teeth once and for all |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
VNSVLE
Forum Moderator
1316 Posts
|
Posted - 08 May 2010 : 10:12:09 PM
|
You will have to let us all know how that goes buddy. With Tonto's problem with the fan I would have to say almost without a doubt it will be the fan speed resistor.
Keep us posted Mechknight :)
Cheers
Wayne |
What's the difference between understeer and oversteer?
Understeer is when the driver is scared.
Oversteer is when the passenger is scared. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Tonto
P Plater
67 Posts
|
Posted - 09 May 2010 : 6:10:43 PM
|
Yep...and cheers, one of the filaments was broken, will look into getting a solid one?. As for the flexible circuit board will see a few wreckers monday, wonder if they would part with the board without instrument cluster.
Mine does'nt have taco, would a whole panel with a taco slide straight in? |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
VNSVLE
Forum Moderator
1316 Posts
|
Posted - 09 May 2010 : 10:27:53 PM
|
| Yep the tacho or "level 2" instrument cluster will go straight in with no modification providing it is from a V6 and not a V8. |
What's the difference between understeer and oversteer?
Understeer is when the driver is scared.
Oversteer is when the passenger is scared. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
|
Posted - 09 May 2010 : 11:49:52 PM
|
The solid state fan speed resistor cost me $66 from a Holden dealer. You may be able to source one from Burson, or somewhere l;ike Autobarn cheaper. The one I bought was a genuine part, unknown as to whether they make them aftermarket.
With most wreckers, unless the instrument cluster it's attached to is stuffed, very few wreckers would strip an instrument cluster for individual parts. Although as you have a working unit, no harm in buying an instrument cluster. All you have to remember, is that if you're good at soldering, you might be able to fix the breaks in the circuit board yourself. If not, you can always have the new unit overhauled, and then if any of your other instruments has a dummy spit, you have ready access to spares.
Something I did notice, is that the glass on the front of them seems to be "plastic welded" on. If anyone has a solution as to how to get that off without breaking it, let's hear it, so if Tonto wants to do that, he can without breaking anything |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
VNSVLE
Forum Moderator
1316 Posts
|
Posted - 10 May 2010 : 12:27:14 AM
|
I am guessing you mean the clear plastic in front of the guages?? This is level 3 but has the exact same casing. Once removed there are 3 screws across the bottom front and 3 clips across the top as indicated by red arrows -
 |
What's the difference between understeer and oversteer?
Understeer is when the driver is scared.
Oversteer is when the passenger is scared. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
|
Posted - 11 May 2010 : 4:36:31 PM
|
| Got the final solution to all the electrical problems in my VN; RELAYS! Most of them are plastic case units, like any standard Bosch unit you would use to rig up a set of spotlights. One of them isn't; it's a Holden-specific unit, which happens to fit in the same as all the others. As you can't see inside the relays, you can't be sure what does where. I'm sure you guys have a way of telling them apart, but I made a point of memorising the position of this one relay. If you get them in the wrong sequence, you may have a nonfunctioning radiator fan, blower fan and rear demister too. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
VNSVLE
Forum Moderator
1316 Posts
|
Posted - 11 May 2010 : 7:31:07 PM
|
| So was it a malfuntioning relay?? |
What's the difference between understeer and oversteer?
Understeer is when the driver is scared.
Oversteer is when the passenger is scared. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
|
Posted - 11 May 2010 : 11:30:05 PM
|
| No, it was a relay in the wrong spot; as they all fit into the same type of socket, a novice wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Changed the relays back to the proper positions, and suddenly everything works. The radiator fan, blower fan and rear demister were all affected by this one relay; a metal thingy that's apparently a Holden specific unit. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
VNSVLE
Forum Moderator
1316 Posts
|
Posted - 12 May 2010 : 12:47:15 AM
|
| Got any pictures of the relay for future reference buddy?? |
What's the difference between understeer and oversteer?
Understeer is when the driver is scared.
Oversteer is when the passenger is scared. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Mechknight73
National Driver
1001 Posts
|
Posted - 12 May 2010 : 4:47:19 PM
|
| How do you upload them again? I can tell you that it's the only metal case relay of them all, and it's marked "LP CHECK" on the relay rack in front of the coolant resevoir. If yours is the original, it likely has a blue diagonal bar painted across it, as if someone marked it with a permanent marker |
| Report to Moderator |
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
