Fiat offers dashboard lighting solution (1 Viewer)

[Steve N Tracy]

I had mine done about 3 months ago its great for driving under trees, but useless any other time.

 

[Norm]

I've heard back from Fiat Proffessional who say they can do no more. I have told them they must rethink given that these vehicles are illegal if owners/drivers cannot read what speed they are travelling at.

Perhaps we need to invite owners to sign up to a presentation to Fiat that they MUST take some action to resolve this issue ?????

 

[Minxy]

I've heard back from Fiat Proffessional who say they can do no more. I have told them they must rethink given that these vehicles are illegal if owners/drivers cannot read what speed they are travelling at.

Perhaps we need to invite owners to sign up to a presentation to Fiat that they MUST take some action to resolve this issue ?????

Good luck with that ... it took years to get them to fix the gearbox issue ... remember 'juddergate'????

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[Norm]

So...... We just lay down, don'bother and put up with it. ????

Even the gearbox got fixed in the end !!!

 

[Larrynwin]

Little improvement with mine, I rely on my navigator for speed indication .
A pity to spoil the ship.............
May be worth finding a non fiat fix, eg brighter dash bulbs and dimmer in feed . We need a useful vehicle "sparks" to come up with a fix.
Only problem is warranty.

 

[Dorset Diver]

My suggestion to a Fiat engineer / technician (sorry for the oxymoron) to change the lamps for brighter ones fell on stony ground when he said the pod lighting is LED and can't be changed.

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[MichaelT]

Just picked up the MH from FIAT after having the radio replaced and the upgrade to have the dash lights on when the DRL are on. Its a reasonably sunny day today and it does make a difference, although not as good as the VW you can definitely see the speedo now much better so I guess it has worked for me. Will see what its like when we are next out in it as only drove it back to the storage yard and see what its like in different weather conditions.

 

[ABZSteve]

Just picked up the MH from FIAT after having the radio replaced and the upgrade to have the dash lights on when the DRL are on. Its a reasonably sunny day today and it does make a difference, although not as good as the VW you can definitely see the speedo now much better so I guess it has worked for me. Will see what its like when we are next out in it as only drove it back to the storage yard and see what its like in different weather conditions.

Hi Michael, can I ask what the issue was with the radio?

Cheers

Steve

 

[MichaelT]

SAT NAV did not work, very temperamental, sometimes had to sit for 24 hours to find where it was, other times just froze or did not pick up a satellite. Failed on 2nd day of use in June, been in a few times to get software updates and investigations, finally they decided it needed a new one on 5th August and just got it fitted.

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[stevec]

I was pondering the illumination problem while driving over to Twin Lakes. I reckon what it needs is for the speed to be displayed digitally on the digital display. I'm not sure how that is constructed but it would be a straightforward software mod. I'm sure the information is available to the ECU in digital form. And even better if the revs can be also. Who needs a date and day display anyway!

 

[Larrynwin]

Driving said dash light modified Fiat in bright sunlight today the red speedo needle can be seen easily , it's the marking behind and the thought came to mind of a transparent overlay on face of dial with marked speed and graduation lines or perhaps a single dot of tippex on glass at speed points .

 

[BobtheBass]

Even easier. Swap the speedo and the rev counter over? Problem solved.

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[pyro]

If you can't use your GPS, then this may help
Amazon product ASIN B009T7QHT8

 

[TheBig1]

I expect my new van has this issue. if so I will look at installing a strip of LEDs in the binacle

 

[Gorse Hill]

I expect my new van has this issue. if so I will look at installing a strip of LEDs in the binacle

If you want to know the truth I haven't noticed a problem with my van and am blind in one eye with a contact lense in the other
Unless people's eyes are painted on I haven't noticed a problem from my last van, x250

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[stevec]

I expect my new van has this issue. if so I will look at installing a strip of LEDs in the binacle

No need to install a strip. Look what one will do. Took 12V off the dashcam plug by fitting a small external connector to it and took the wire behind the underdash plastic. A bit of Blu-Tac on the steering column and Bob's your father's brother! I only had a green LED but as a first try it's better than nothing. White ones are available also. I reckon less than a pound an an hour or so's work. Maybe put one for the tachy as well.

If I was doing it properly I'd make up a small black housing and wire through the column cover from a supply under the dash (not sure where at the moment). Ideally should be wired to the daylight running lights circuit,

 

[peterc10]

Where exactly is the LED situated? Under the glass covering the speedo or on top of it?

 

[stevec]

See the little white/blue blob under the speedo. It's a blob of blutac and sits on the steering column cover just in front of the steering wheel.

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[Larrynwin]

What a shame, we spend a small fortune on a fiat based mhome and we can't read the speedo, sad

 

[peterc10]

See the little white/blue blob under the speedo. It's a blob of blutac and sits on the steering column cover just in front of the steering wheel.

So it is just a light pointing from outside!

 

[pyro]

Excellent solution

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[TheBig1]

sometimes people overthink a problem. cant see the speedo as its dimly illuminated? add more light

 

[Stewart J]

Presently touring France in the company of our friends who have a 615 Impala, he has major issues with speed limits and being unable to see his speedo. We tend to follow his vehicle and have a code of headlight flashes to help him stay within limits. This is ridiculous situation for them in a brand new van. They had the so called ineffectual fix prior to leaving the UK, Fiat need to wake up and admit they have a serious problem here.

 

[Lenny HB]

What about Link Removed.

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[peterc10]

I now use my Sat Nav to check my speed rather than the speedo.

 

[stevec]

So it is just a light pointing from outside!

Yep.A 5mm LED positioned just in front of the steering wheel. It has a beam of about 25 degrees which is just enough to cover the speedo. It is non invasive. I haven't driven with it yet but it proves you don't need anything sophisticated. Of course the ideal would be for Fiat to sort something out properly. I still believe there is some mileage in their putting the speed onto the digital display with the option to display in mph or kph.

 

[stevec]

I now use my Sat Nav to check my speed rather than the speedo.

My satnav is built in and does not display speed! At least I've not found a way of making it show it. It tells me if I've gone over the speed limit but not my actual speed. Its a Zetec all in one media centre thingy so if anyone knows how to persuade it to show speed please let me know!

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[peterc10]

I have a built in Garmin one at part of the Kenwood all signing and dancing kit the dealer put in. Tells me what the speed limit is and what speed I am doing. My speed turns red when I exceed the speed limit.

Also have Sygic on my Android phone which shows the speed I am doing.

 

[Stewart J]

Hi Lenny can you provide a link to the gps speedometer.

Our travelling companion were relying on their large screen Snooper gps recently repaired by Snooper but it packed in again early in our trip. We loaned them our spare which unfortunately does not display speed.

 

[Newfie]

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