Blinking Dash Gauges While Driving

[Stuart100]

Hi,

This is my first time posting here though I've always found the forum great. Hopefully someone can help.

I was driving over a bumpy road / dirt track today and about 20 miles later, my dash lights started blinking. All gauges lose power for a second (so the speed, rev meter, fuel gauges will drop, odometer display will go blank etc.) and then return a second later. They keep alternating like this but only while I'm moving. It's only the display as the odometer keeps counting up ok and all other electrics stay on grand.

Any suggestions? I'm guessing something's come loose but as it's alternating at a constant speed I wouldn't have thought it's a loose connection. Capacitor issue maybe? I checked all the fuses at least and they're seated ok.

Many thanks,

Stuart.

[frankie406]

Have you checked the Battery terminals?has any work on the ecu/ecm been done at anytime?

[Konrad C]

There are a couple of connectors behind the instrument panel that have latches to secure cables. Check to see if they are locked in place.

To access the back of the instrument you need to remove the instrument panel itself.

First lower the steering column.

Next remove 2 screws from the instrument surround then remove the surround by pulling towards the steering wheel .

Then remove 3 screws to release the instrument panel one at the top, two at the bottom.

The careful pull the instrument panel itself

You should see the two connectors (one shown in the in the picture) .

This is how you access to change any bulbs .

[Stuart100]

Frankie, Conrad, many thanks for taking the time to reply.

I'll check behind the instrument panel and see if anything's loose. It seems ok in idle and only happens when I press the accelerator but it could be the vibrations.

Frankie, nothing's been done to the ECU/ECM but I did change the sparks a few weeks ago. I checked the diagnostic software and no error codes are showing. Is there a test I could do to check it? I'll double check the Battery terminals too but I'd have thought a loose connection there would affect all the electrics (radio, lights etc.)?

Thanks again both of you. I'll get back to you!

[frankie406]

Could be right Stuart.but if it's a tad loose you would notice the dash lights more than the radio or lights.but do all the checks and like konrad c said check the connections on dash.check all fuses and relays too.also earthing points too.hope you get it sorted.

[Stuart100]

Hi Frankie, Conrad,

Sorry for the late reply, things have been manic lately.

I checked behind the instrument panel and both connectors are seated perfectly. However I've noticed a couple of other symptoms since. The odometer isn't working properly after all (it only registers about 1 in 4 miles) and the problem also occurs when the key is turned to the 'start' position (without turning over the engine). So I guess this definitely points to an electrical problem?

I can't find the electrical manual for my model (only the 2002-07 model) but are any relays situated in the driver's compartment? I can only see some in the main fusebox under the bonnet.

I'm not if it's related but I'm getting static shocks when I step out of the car. I know this is fairly standard but could it point to a short somewhere too? The Battery terminals seem ok but it's hard to know. Is there one earthing point as well or are there normally more? There's one coming directly from the Battery and it's secure.

Many thanks again for your help (and anyone else who has any ideas!),

Stuart

[Konrad C]

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/111390-toyota-avensis-workshop-manual-2003-2007-pdf/

My settings seems to block me from access.

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/157725-avensis-t25-workshop-manual-link/

Try and search for PDF manuals.

[cmia]

unplug speed sensor wire on the gearbox and try.

if that doesnt move.. check the wiring loom to ensure earths are actually all tied down.

[Stuart100]

Just in case anyone's interested, I finally got the problem fixed. Turned out it was a fault circuit board in the instrument panel which had to be replaced.

Thanks everyone who replied.

[Smuri]

Just in case anyone's interested, I finally got the problem fixed. Turned out it was a fault circuit board in the instrument panel which had to be replaced.

Hi! I have exactly the same problem in my Avensis right now. Because of MOT coming at the end of the month I need to fix it quickly. Could you please tell me if you had to replace whole dashboard or just a part of it?

[Stuart100]

Hi Smuri,

They had to replace the whole instrument panel behind the steering wheel (third picture in Konrad's first post) and cost about e200. It's very easy to take out yourself though so if you had time I'd recommend trying a breaker's yard first.

Stuart