I pulled the Instmnt Cluster...and ??? OMG??

[mykg4orce]

Ok well its not really OMG!! more like omg......

I took the instrument cluster out today and took off all the electrical connections. I found something very weird....There are 3 3W bulbs, two on the top to light up the whole cluster and one 3W on bottom left. Well this bulb holder has a wire coming out of it that was spliced into a green wire that was part of an harness. I have no idea what this is for.....the two wires were spliced together with a piece of electrical tape.

[joel]

and your question again?

[mykg4orce]

Obviously to get your thoughts on what this could be.....what else....???

[86560SEL]

Did you ever figure it out?

Originally Posted by mykg4orce

Obviously to get your thoughts on what this could be.....what else....???

[mykg4orce]

Well I know a couple of things. First, who ever did then had to remove the dash in a way that left no tool marks on the sides of the dash. Second, he/she had a reason for doing so. Afterall why would they get power from the bulb socket? I have so far found the cut part of the wire and spliced it back together to the way it was originally. I have yet to completely reinstall the cluster because I was waiting on the red fuse for it, which I will get tomorrow...so after I put it all back together I guess I will find out what if any difference I notice after splicing that wire back to its original point. My BEST guess is that it had something to do with bypassing the "ABS" lights. Which I have never seen come on, even at startup. Other than that I have no idea, because that bulb worked without that wire in it so it couldnt be to power the bulb socket.



I'm still flustered.

[250 Coupe]

Lights-on lead to an aftermarket radio.

So it wil know when to dim or to track the dash light dimmer.

Michael

[mykg4orce]

I dont understand, could you explain?

[250 Coupe]

If someone installed an aftermarket radio or radar detector or mobile phone or etc, it would have had a lead the would tell the new unit when the lights were on. That way, it could either track the dash light dimmer just dim its own lights.

Michael

[mykg4orce]

Oh ok, understood. BUT! The problem is that there was no "new" wire. The person who did this cut open an existing harness, pulled out a green wire probably 18-22 gauge and used a 6inc black wire to extend it and put into the bulb socket. And I have no idea what this green wire is for....and tracking it wont be an easy task. And I dont see any type of extra wire that could have been used for a radio...etc

[250 Coupe]

I think I didn't understand your description of the change. Sounds like some one changed the function of a lamp and I've no idea why.

Sorry 'bout that.

Michael

[joeywarren]

In the UK it will soon become illegal to use Laser detectors in cars, and as such some manufacturers have taken to offering "covert" ways of mounting the sensors.. and, crucially, the method by which the driver is informed that they are being targeted.

I have seen the ABS light used in this way... to flash when the covert laser sensor picks up a laser gun.

Could that be it? Is there any evidence of previous equipment mounting?

>Joe

[mykg4orce]

Nope no sign of any other equipment being mounted...the car even had its original tape deck....I bought it all stock...or so I thought.

[mykg4orce]

Ok its been a while...but finally put my Interior back together. Replaced several instrument bulbs in the Climate control unit, the fan speed selector and the Gear Shift display. Also replaced the fuse in the Instrument Cluster and one of the bulbs that light up the whole cluster.

I found out that the mysterious wire was actually to bypass the "Check Engine" light.

[tvpierce]

Well, I guess that's one way to reset the codes.

Jeff Pierce

[Hatterasguy]

Used car dealer 101! Let me guess now the CE light is on?