CS14

Need your input on where to search after bad connection on my instrument cluster. Car is an 996, year 2000.

Problem is that when starting the car up, sometimes the display showing the distance/trip not lighting up. Most often a friendly thump on the panel helps, and there are no on/off while driving. If it works, it works. Lately it has been more difficult to get it to light up so it seems like there are bad connection somewhere.

Any idea where to look?

And it seems quite easy to get the cluster out of the car, right?

DBJoe996

You are headed in the right direction. Remove cluster (follow instructions) and unplug each connector, spray with electrical cleaner (both male and female sides), install cluster and see what happens.

CS14

Thanks, will remove it and try a quick fix spraying cleaner. If not working it will be a task to do during the winter.

Emefef

When you remove the hazard switch, DO NOT PULLon the white part. You're supposed to be able to pinch the tabs on either side to slide it out. Work on that and avoid the temptation to pull on the switch...lest you turn into a push-on, push-on, stay-on- wtf-is-wrong-with-this-thing switch (I got a new one).

5CHN3LL

The bulb that backlights that LCD well is either dying or has a dodgy/corroded connection where it meets the PCB. If you're going to go through the trouble to disassemble the cluster, order a new bulb from Pelican first (they're cheap) and just replace it while you have it apart. I think it's unlikely that the harness is the problem...

I found the hardest part of removing the cluster to be disconnecting the wiring harnesses...once the cluster is free, rotate it forward a little and then get out of the car and look at / take a picture of the back of the cluster through the windshield to get a better idea of how to disconnect the harnesses...

911STYL

2003 Cabriolet - contacted Pelican Parts about the backlight. Everything in my instrument cluster works as it should but the cluster does not illuminate. This is the response I received from Pelican:Hello Ron,

I have checked with our contact at Porsche and he is telling me that the instrument cluster bulbs are only replaceable up to 2001 Boxster not 2002 and newer ?

Best Regards,

Kenny

Can anyone share any insight on this?

Ron

DBJoe996

Newer clusters have led bulbs soldered to the cluster PCB board. Very difficult to replace unless you are really good at soldering. Send it to someone like Palo Alto Speedometer for repairs. Might as well have them replace them all.