Instrument Clutser

[kvnhpnr]

I have a 1986 944 non-turbo and I was driving down the road today and the instrument cluster needles all just dropped (speedo, tach, battery, oil pressure gas gage and temp needles). I checked the fuses and the are good, there were only 2 under the hood. I also took the cluster out and didn't find out anything wrong with the wiring to the cluster also the odometer and trip meter quit working along with all the others.
What would cause the cluster to drop like that?

Another problem is that the lights for the cluster are not very bright...could 1 have those gone out and caused my previous problem?

[ecostellodo]

Strange Electrical Issue (Sunroof/Instr Clust)...


My problem waas a bad relay.

ecostello

[kvnhpnr]

Where is that relay located since it is not on the diagragm under the lid for the fuses under the hood?

[944 Ecology]

It is the X relay, look in the owner manual for the location.

[kvnhpnr]

Imagine this...the everything started working again>>>I now have to re-align all the needles...what is up with the thing I call "Frankenstein" and it seems like it is fitting sometimes.

I never did get an owners manual with this car since I am the 3rd owner and really have no idea how many ACTUAL miles are on this car.

Thanks i will see if I can locate the X relay on the net

[kvnhpnr]

Well disregard my last post since it has now stopped working again...seems to do it if the engine heats up.

[bnv944]

mine does the same thing. Seems to happen after engine is up to temp, and any bump in the road triggers it to drop =/. anybody find a solution yet?

[looneybin]

could it be a loose ground connection?

[OnTheRun2]

+1 on bad ground

[scottrx7tt]

could be the ignition switch.

[968 GUY]

Do a search for your bulbs, or go to Clarks Garage, that site has good info on the bulbs.
My speedo stopped working on the 968 once, but it was just the connector had popped loose. I definitely would check the relay.
Ken

[89-944NA]

The x relay is listed in the diagram in the lid of your fuse panel. If that label is missing, stand on the drivers side of the car, open the fuse panel. Look at the relays, starting with the row nearest the lower bank of fuses (running lengthwise to the car) count up to the third row (second from the top)....now count in that row (from the front of the car) to socket G14 (the 4th socket in that row, it's actually numbered but very small). The x relay is G14 (the large squat relay). It's called the Ignition X Relay and available from pelican parts under part number 191.937.503.M206 at a whopping 5 bucks.

[968 GUY]

Why would you have to realign the needles?

[matthewb]

I would just about bet money on the relay as well. Have someone watch the gauges while you wiggle the relay. See what happens.

Kvnhpnr, how long have you had the car? What color is it?

[Grandad#3]

Check out the link below for the name and location of all the relays on your car.

944online.com Exploded View Porsche 944 Diagrams.

Cheers,
Larry

[bnv944]

Originally Posted by matthewb

I would just about bet money on the relay as well. Have someone watch the gages while you wiggle the relay. See what happens.

Kvnhpnr, how long have you had the car? What color is it?

well i took your advice, replaced the relay, thought "wow awesome, my problems are fixed!" then the gages went flat again while driving.. not even a pot hole to trigger it.

and when i wiggled the relay before and after being replaced, i did get response from the cluster.

[fmartenies]

So problem solved right?