Electrical Issues (Lights and Instrument Panel) on 2017 Hymer B668

[mike.lamb]

Hi All -

Having issues with our Hymer B668 - this is with tow bar electrics (for a bike rack), having issues with or without this attached.

Returning home from our latest trip, popped the hazards on and they started flashing twice as fast. Assumed a bulb had gone.

When we went to check the lights, we had no lights at all on the bike rack and only the sidelights work on the Hymer clusters. With the hazards on, the sidelights flash, nothing else works. This is just at the rear - everything at the front works as expected.

Had both the rear clusters off yesterday, all the bulbs and connectors are fine.

Popped out today to start the engine and have a further look and now the instrument panel doesn't work, i.e. rev counter, speedometer, fuel gauge and the screen are all off.

It's running fine and I can see the revs on a heads up display I have, but nothing on the instrument panel. Oh, and the rear lights don't work at all.

Planning to call the garage on Tuesday, any suggestions meanwhile. Supposed to be off in a couple of weeks - hoping this is an easy fix.

Thanks

 

[Lenny HB]

For the rear lights check the multipin plug & socket about 2/3 of the way down the chassis that's where the rear loom plugs into the Fiat bit could be an earth problem. As for the dash lights try disconnecting the battery for 10 - 15 min to see if it resets.

 

[bobandjanie]

Not had problems with the motorhome lights, but have had trouble with the towbar lights, the problem was the little black box where it connected to the canbus wiring, pulling the fuse at the vehicle battery that powered it, and after a minute and inserted sorted the problem. Bob.

 

[Speve]

If you have tow bar electrics there should be a control box somewhere? We had a similar problem and our box is in battery compartment there are two small fuses in ours and one had blown replaced it and all fine again I spent hours trying to work out what was wrong

 

[mike.lamb]

For the rear lights check the multipin plug & socket about 2/3 of the way down the chassis that's where the rear loom plugs into the Fiat bit could be an earth problem. As for the dash lights try disconnecting the battery for 10 - 15 min to see if it resets.

Thanks a lot - Battery is disconnected - will reconnect in 15mins and see if anything changes, then go hunting for the multipin. While having the battery box open, I found the fuse for the towbar electrics which had blown, so one problem solved!

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[mike.lamb]

If you have tow bar electrics there should be a control box somewhere? We had a similar problem and our box is in battery compartment there are two small fuses in ours and one had blown replaced it and all fine again I spent hours trying to work out what was wrong

That's exactly what seems to have happened! Thanks - just changed the fuse and that's one problem down!

 

[Speve]

That's exactly what seems to have happened! Thanks - just changed the fuse and that's one problem down!

Glad that helped have you checked you haven’t got a mouse chewing the loom somewhere?

 

[mike.lamb]

Glad that helped have you checked you haven’t got a mouse chewing the loom somwhere?

No evidence of a mouse so far but fingers crossed!

 

[Speve]

Of course it could be the dreaded instrument cluster lights panel problem well documented on the forum we had to have ours changed luckily under warranty

 

[mike.lamb]

For the rear lights check the multipin plug & socket about 2/3 of the way down the chassis that's where the rear loom plugs into the Fiat bit could be an earth problem. As for the dash lights try disconnecting the battery for 10 - 15 min to see if it resets.

Lenny HB is this the right multi connector? Should I be looking for an earth problem within that connector? There are 2 earth wires connected to a loose rusty bolt on the chassis right next to this which I thought would be the problem, but these seem to have continuity with Earth even when disconnected from the bolt.

Unfortunately no joy with the instrument panel after 20mins disconnected. Any other suggestions there? Much appreciated.

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[mike.lamb]

Of course it could be the dreaded instrument cluster lights panel problem well documented on the forum we had to have ours changed luckily under warranty

Is that the one where folks are sending off to cartronix? Saw some details on that with my googling of the issue. Any way to determine if it really is an instrument panel issue to be sent off?

 

[Speve]

Is that the one where folks are sending off to cartronix? Saw some details on that with my googling of the issue. Any way to determine if it really is an instrument panel issue to be sent off?

Yes it is so worth checking it outhowever I took mine to a Fiat dealer I’m not sure if you can check but someone here will be able to advise

 

[mike.lamb]

Ok, so an update here - lights are all working. That was indeed a bad ground which was fixed by an auto electrician who came to the house. He added a new wire directly to the chassis.

He also tested the connector to the instrument cluster and thought the issue was with the cluster itself.

That went off to cartronix this week, who unfortunately did not find any issues!

So any idea where to go next for no gauges / screen working on an instrument panel which is itself working fine?

Thanks!

 

[Speve]

So any idea where to go next for no gauges / screen working on an instrument panel which is itself working fine?

So you don’t have fuel or temp? What about speedo,rev counter and digital display? if they are not working sounds like a circuit board problem

 

[Speve]

I think you probably need to go to a Fiat Professional workshop to get it checked out

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[mike.lamb]

Correct - no fuel, temp revs speed or display. Only the signal that the headlights are on.

Any hints where to find an appropriate workshop?

 

[Speve]

Correct - no fuel, temp revs speed or display. Only the signal that the headlights are on.

Any hints where to find an appropriate workshop?

If you Google Fiat Professional that will usually give you workshops in your area, we have to travel to Adams Morey , Redbridge, Southampton. Have found them to be very good

 

[bobandjanie]

It might be worth checking / cleaning or changing the earth strap on the chassi.
I hate problems especially electrical. Bob.