Terrible unusable Fiat Ducato speedo design (1 Viewer)

tkk

Jun 9, 2014
357
274
notts
Funster No
31,911
MH
Frankia i640
Exp
newbie but learning fast
While Moho in for service I had the Fiat garage carry out the free fix so that dials etc are now permanently illuminated noticed the difference on the 50 mile run home, time will tell.
Hi,
sorry, late into thread. Have recently bought 2019 Frankia, Fiat based KPH dial, terrible visibility of speedo dial at night, hardly seems illuminated atall. What was the fix?
Ta
Tk
 
Jul 1, 2010
3,191
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Hymer B 588 DL
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The Fiat garage will alter the instrument clustered light so it is on permanently when engine is running instead of only when headlights are switched on, its a free fix taking minutes apparently. It makes a little difference but not in bright conditions.
 

two

Aug 4, 2011
4,901
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A-Class Fiat
The upgrade is free because that's what it's worth.
It makes little difference.

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GPW

Free Member
Feb 23, 2019
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Slight to minor!
I notice a lot of Fiat/Peugeot/Citroen coachbuilt drivers seem to sit very high up, very noticeable when they are driving towards you and you can’t see the tops of their heads.

I noticed this in adjustable height seats. They sell it as a feature but I found even on the lowest setting it still added enough height to be incredibly annoying, especially if you have remis blinds as the top cover robs another inch of visible screen height. No use driving to nice places if you can't look 'up' at all!!

So ironically the cheaper 'swivel only' and fixed seats were much more usable for me.
 

Deneb

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Oct 20, 2015
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The Fiat garage will alter the instrument clustered light so it is on permanently when engine is running instead of only when headlights are switched on, its a free fix taking minutes apparently. It makes a little difference but not in bright conditions.
Should be default behaviour on a 2018/19 chassis. It was introduced into production shortly after being made available as an update on older vans.

@tkk have you tried adjusting the illumination level? There should be eight levels available, either through the mode button menu or the radio menu depending on the type of radio fitted. Some settings are only available with ignition on and engine off, and vice versa.
 

tkk

Jun 9, 2014
357
274
notts
Funster No
31,911
MH
Frankia i640
Exp
newbie but learning fast
Should be default behaviour on a 2018/19 chassis. It was introduced into production shortly after being made available as an update on older vans.

@tkk have you tried adjusting the illumination level? There should be eight levels available, either through the mode button menu or the radio menu depending on the type of radio fitted. Some settings are only available with ignition on and engine off, and vice versa.
Ta, Ill try that, didn’t find it on brief play with mode before but will look again, its an alpine sat/nav/radio so probably not thro that.

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tkk

Jun 9, 2014
357
274
notts
Funster No
31,911
MH
Frankia i640
Exp
newbie but learning fast
Should be default behaviour on a 2018/19 chassis. It was introduced into production shortly after being made available as an update on older vans.

@tkk have you tried adjusting the illumination level? There should be eight levels available, either through the mode button menu or the radio menu depending on the type of radio fitted. Some settings are only available with ignition on and engine off, and vice versa.
Ta, Ill try that, didn’t find it on brief play with mode before but will look again, its an alpine sat/nav/radio so probably not thro that.
 

Steve N Tracy

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Jun 1, 2015
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I purchased one of these
Its not heads up but displays the speed in mph or kmh, can display 2 other items at the same time, temp, rpm, battery, and can also display and delete fault coded it simply plugs into the odb port using a flat cable.
 
Mar 8, 2016
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I purchased one of these http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=273551150439
Its not heads up but displays the speed in mph or kmh, can display 2 other items at the same time, temp, rpm, battery, and can also display and delete fault coded it simply plugs into the odb port using a flat cable.

Looking for something to give a big read out like this. Does this have to be plugged into the OBD port or is there a way of funning it off the 12V or USB socket near the dash. Thanks

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Steve N Tracy

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Jun 1, 2015
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Looking for something to give a big read out like this. Does this have to be plugged into the OBD port or is there a way of funning it off the 12V or USB socket near the dash. Thanks
It has to be plugged i to the odb port to have access to the speed signal on the Canbus its not gps so works in tunnels.
 

Two on Tour

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Looking for something to give a big read out like this. Does this have to be plugged into the OBD port or is there a way of funning it off the 12V or USB socket near the dash. Thanks

If you have an old Andriod smartphone your no longer using then there are dozens of speedo apps on the Google play store for free. They are GPS but if your driving in a tunnel the you will have dash light on the van speedo cluster to see your speed.
 
Jul 1, 2010
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As others have m entioned if you have an old smart phone there are many free gps app s, its gps so no sim and no data use. Nice large bright numerals easy to read.
606C2D3C-C88F-4E06-82FE-0FE3E9E51876.jpeg

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Mar 8, 2016
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I think that’s the route we will take. Just asked the younger members of family if they have an old one they don’t use. Had a quick look on Amazon etc. Quite well priced for basic phone. Certainly cheaper than buying a stand alone GPS. Presume as long as phone has GPS it will work.
 

Two on Tour

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Jul 1, 2010
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Tried various apps on a smart phone all have limitations so bought dedicated unit that plugs into the obd2 port, does all sorts but mph and kph are all that interest me. Nice large bright display easily seen even in the brightest sunlight with the quickest glance. Used for a year now and well pleased.
<Broken link removed>
3EDFD389-8207-485B-854D-859F33262F34.jpeg
 
Jul 5, 2016
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If you have a pioneer head unit you can use this in the navigation options
350CE68E-DD79-479B-B401-91655149E858.jpeg

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Apr 14, 2020
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Tried various apps on a smart phone all have limitations so bought dedicated unit that plugs into the obd2 port, does all sorts but mph and kph are all that interest me. Nice large bright display easily seen even in the brightest sunlight with the quickest glance. Used for a year now and well pleased.
<Broken link removed>View attachment 514033
I had a look for my OBD port as I was thinking of using it but there appears to be something plugged into it I cannot identify, if I was to take a guess I'm wondering if the conversion company has used it to power something like the rear view camera or the vehicle alarm?
 
Jul 1, 2010
3,191
32,323
SW Northumberland
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Hymer B 588 DL
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Since September 2010
I had a look for my OBD port as I was thinking of using it but there appears to be something plugged into it I cannot identify, if I was to take a guess I'm wondering if the conversion company has used it to power something like the rear view camera or the vehicle alarm?
That’s a strange one the port is essentially for diagnostics I was lead to believe. It’s not a blank by any chance 🤔🤔🤔
 

SD j

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May 9, 2020
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I had a look for my OBD port as I was thinking of using it but there appears to be something plugged into it I cannot identify, if I was to take a guess I'm wondering if the conversion company has used it to power something like the rear view camera or the vehicle alarm?
My Alarm has a plug into OBD port ,
It’s to stop the thefts using eBay bought obd machines I think

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Jan 8, 2013
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Lay a mirror onto the steering column. You can see my one. It changes night to day. This is just by reflection from the windscreen.
No lights.
IMG_20210707_172015.jpg
 
Apr 3, 2019
1,469
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Burstner Travel Van
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Few years now
Or change the dials
 

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Tombola

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Nov 21, 2020
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virtually given up with the 2017 Fiat speedo which reads about 5mph high at a true 70mph!!!
I noticed this too on my 2017, my sat nav speed was approx 5mph out, no wonder I thought all those lorrys limited to 56 were doing 60+ :rolleyes:
 

Abacist

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Oct 15, 2013
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What a great thread - never ever thought about using my phone as a speedometer and speed limiter!

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two

Aug 4, 2011
4,901
4,560
West Midlands
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17,624
MH
A-Class Fiat
Is the diabolical dash still being fitted? I hope not.
Although you can overcome the problem yourself (Fiat seem unable) it should never have happened and Fiat should have provided the required solution. If anything is "not fit for purpose", that dash must be one of the main contenders.
 

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