Clock/trip computer only works intermittently

[eddiewould]

The clock/trip computer (in the dash) of my 2004 MY05 Legacy only works intermittently. It seems that hitting it sometimes makes it work...

Any ideas what's wrong and how to fix?

Cheers,

Eddie

[Guest boostin]

It's farked. It either needs to be sent away for repair, or have a new one fitted. Common fault.

[eddiewould]

Thanks.

Are these digitally signed to the rest of the @#$@#$% car like everything else? Or can I just whip one out of a wrecked legacy?

[eddiewould]

Oh and what actually goes wrong with them typically? (What do they repair?)

Reason I ask, as I'm wondering if it's better going down the repair/replace route

[GC8E2DD]

Is the car NZ new? IF so ring Subaru and ask them what they can do for you. Ours was replaced at half cost - and you don't want to pay full cost which is something like $400. Alternatively, occasionally someone pops up on trademe that claims they can fix them for $150 bucks or something. No idea on the reliability of that.

[Guest boostin]

No, you can get one out of a wrecked car. Be aware it may be the same though. I don't know what goes wrong with them sorry. Oh, and there's a few different types, so just make sure the new one has the same part number as yours. The number is on a sticker on the back of it.

[GC8E2DD]

These were the folks I was talking about: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=3076663

[Sudo]

Usually they just get a bit of rust on the connections, so re-soldering fixes.

Well for Foresters, Legnums, Skylines anyway...

[subieboy]

 Sudo said:

Usually they just get a bit of rust on the connections, so re-soldering fixes.

Well for Foresters, Legnums, Skylines anyway...

was wondering if there is a circuit board cleaner available commercially?

[Guest boostcut]

yeah, crc co-contact cleaner. blue spray can

[eddiewould]

Cheers guys. What is the easiest way to get this out of the dash (MY05 Legacy)?

Eddie

[Guest boostin]

The whole assembly just pops out of the dash, vents and all. Getting to the wiring connectors can be a bit hard though. The clock unscrews off the back of the bin.

[eddiewould]

By "just pops out of the dash" do you mean just pull on it?

[Guest boostin]

Correct.

[Guest boostin]

How did you get on with this?

[eddiewould]

Well, it's a NZ new Legacy so I'm tossing up between calling Subaru or just ripping it out myself and re-soldering any joints that look dry.

However I haven't managed to get it out of the dash yet (but haven't spent a lot of time trying, either). My weekends at the moment are being taken up by snowboarding...

[eddiewould]

Well, I got round to doing this eventually. Pulled the damn thing out.

I'd get it going with the PCB out of the casing, and then when I put it all back together again, it'd stop working :-\

I'm not sure what I've done to fix it (I basically just went over every solder joint that seemed slightly suspect, reflowing the solder), but it seems to be working now (all back together in the car!) So I guess the test now is how long it lasts for.

I've somehow broken/stopped the red light (LED?) in the cubby hole from working in the process though. I'm not too fussed about it!

[nickch]

not sure if legacys use the same clock electronics as the WRXs but i know the GD chasis clocks have a manufacturing defect with one resistor developing a dry joint.

[Ninja8)]

 nickch said:

not sure if legacys use the same clock electronics as the WRXs but i know the GD chasis clocks have a manufacturing defect with one resistor developing a dry joint.

oh no guess i better prepare for a tripometer malfunction! save kms

[Pappu1]

Sorry spence but the trip meter hardy ever goes bung in our models lol

Altho have seen a lot of the annoying clocks go bad

[nickch]

yeah.. not the tripometer.. just the clock...

so far.. 3x bug-eyes... including mine.. that i know have had clock problems..

its resistor 510 on the clock PCB that gets the dry joint.

[Pappu1]

Dam wish I knew lol it was a bin job on the ones I had lol

[Ninja8)]

oh if its the clock then thats alright as my clock dont work at all ;D

[nickch]

Lol. Yeah. Very simple fix with soldering iron. Just heat up that joint. Wick up the solder with soldering wick. (solder sucker pumps are too dangerous for SMDs). Then put some fresh solder on and ensure proper contact.

[eddiewould]

 nickch said:

yeah.. not the tripometer.. just the clock...

so far.. 3x bug-eyes... including mine.. that i know have had clock problems..

its resistor 510 on the clock PCB that gets the dry joint.

Are you sure it was resistor 510? I can find a resistor 51.. But nothing nearly as high as 510. Where abouts approximately was it? Is it an SMD or regular mount resistor?