Instrument cluster is dim
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- 2GN Member
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2014 5:36 am
Instrument cluster is dim
Part of the instrument panel in the 2000 Dodge Neon is dim. What bothers me the most is the speedometer. It's dimmer than other areas of the panel. I, at least, don't believe it's an illusion of my mind. It's somewhat dim but not completely dark. It's dim enough to be an annoyance. Any advice would be welcomed.
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- Junior Admin
- Posts: 20312
- Joined: Thu May 03, 2007 12:14 pm
- Location: Ashland Ohio
Bulb could be either burnt out, or near the end of it's life. They can blacken the inside well before they fail.
Also the contacts can get slight corrosion on them, or the tension gets weak, causing poor conductivity. I currently have that issue, as the lights intermittently fail to work, at random locations in the cluster.
Also the contacts can get slight corrosion on them, or the tension gets weak, causing poor conductivity. I currently have that issue, as the lights intermittently fail to work, at random locations in the cluster.
Bill
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCMOlha Koba, a psychologist in Kyiv, said that “anger and hate in this situation is a normal reaction and important to validate.” But it is important to channel it into something useful, she said, such as making incendiary bombs out of empty bottles.
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester
It is a very good idea to check and clean the grounds.
Two places to check:
1). The grounds that attach to the upper radiator core support, near the headlamps. Very Important.
These are the grounds for the drivers in the PCM.
2). There is also a ground inside the dash.
On 1st gen Neons, this is behind the radio. I don't know about the 2nd gen Neons, but I assume it is the same.
For the grounds - Be sure to wire brush and clean these down to bare metal - Including the wire lugs/terminals and attaching screws.
After cleaning and re-attaching everything, be sure to use something as a rust inhibitor. At the very least, something like PB Blaster - Or coat these with dielectric grease, or Vaseline, to 'seal off' corrosion.
(Again, you'll only want to apply this after re-attaching everything.)
Be sure to NOT operate any accessories with these grounds disconnected. It may not be a bad idea, to disconnect the battery to prevent any accidents - Until you are done.
After cleaning the grounds on the upper radiator core support on our 2nd gen - I noticed that the dash cluster lights, were (noticeably) brighter.
I noticed the difference, even during daytime. I know that this helps.
- Nick
Two places to check:
1). The grounds that attach to the upper radiator core support, near the headlamps. Very Important.
These are the grounds for the drivers in the PCM.
2). There is also a ground inside the dash.
On 1st gen Neons, this is behind the radio. I don't know about the 2nd gen Neons, but I assume it is the same.
For the grounds - Be sure to wire brush and clean these down to bare metal - Including the wire lugs/terminals and attaching screws.
After cleaning and re-attaching everything, be sure to use something as a rust inhibitor. At the very least, something like PB Blaster - Or coat these with dielectric grease, or Vaseline, to 'seal off' corrosion.
(Again, you'll only want to apply this after re-attaching everything.)
Be sure to NOT operate any accessories with these grounds disconnected. It may not be a bad idea, to disconnect the battery to prevent any accidents - Until you are done.
After cleaning the grounds on the upper radiator core support on our 2nd gen - I noticed that the dash cluster lights, were (noticeably) brighter.
I noticed the difference, even during daytime. I know that this helps.
- Nick
-1998 2-dr SOHC MTX= 57mm TB; Maddog STS
-2000 Ply.LX w/MTX = Maddog STS; CAI; 2.5 exh.; 60mm T/B
-2001 ATX w/Syked PCM + Magnum header
-2001 ACR w/SRT T/B bored out to 55mm
Official "I'm Going to Drive My Neon till it Dies" Club #000009
-2000 Ply.LX w/MTX = Maddog STS; CAI; 2.5 exh.; 60mm T/B
-2001 ATX w/Syked PCM + Magnum header
-2001 ACR w/SRT T/B bored out to 55mm
Official "I'm Going to Drive My Neon till it Dies" Club #000009