Hi all:

I need to do a Christmas tree bench test on my 09 flying spur gauge cluster but want to know which pins are power and ground before I start puttin 12v into it. Do any of you have the wiring diagram for the two connectors on the gauge cluster? The clusters for ALL 05-12 continental should have the same connectors.

If not, do you know where I can locate this info?

Thanks!!!!

Here's a picture.

 

Please explain what you are trying to do, this is what I have just taking a quick look.

 

thanks for the reply!!

There are two plugs on the back of the cluster, each with many pins that connect to cables behind the dash. TWO of these pins (no idea where) are + and - for a "test", meaning if i were to put 12V to them, the backlighting, warning lights, etc would all illuminate to show that the cluster is in working condition.

My goal is to bench-test the backlighting (outside of the car). The backlighting is illuminated via a single CCFL (floriescent bulb) at the bottom of the cluster. It uses an inverter that converts the 12V input to several hundred or more volts to ignite it. I want to know where I need to apply the 12V to get it to illuminate.

Typically there's a pair of those pins that can receive 12V to get it to illuminate. There are probably several possible pairs i could pick. I just need to get that CCFL to ignite.

Thanks!!!

 

Okay,
The backlighting of all the speedometer, tachometer, gas gauge, ETC. are lit by LEDs, the backlighting of the center driver information screen is yes done by a fluorescent tube as you stated, so being it is only two cables just rest the cluster in the car and test, if the screen displays and you can read it then the fluorescent tube is working, if you can't read it then a fluorescent tube does not work, just be very careful I would not play with it as the fluorescent tube is very very fragile, you can see in the pictures I broke the one end just taking it apart to take pictures, and I was being extremely careful !


EDIT: I stand corrected, there is an other straight long florescent tube at the bottom of the cluster, I mistakenly took all of those LED's to be back-lighting, when in fact most of them are the illumination for the idiot lights..... and a few for the needles...
DUH..... So the back light of the speedo, tach, gas, and temp is by the florescent tube.

 

Yeah it's old school technology, isn't it!? That's why the cluster backlighting is sort of an "off-white" with a tint of yellow, while the rest of the buttons in the car are more of a pure white (because the radio, clock and all other console lights use white LEDs which have a crisper white.

I'm in the process of converting that CCFL tube to a series of white LEDs so the backlighting will match the rest of the car.

Here's what I've accomplished thus far. I'll be replacing that CCFL tube with 108 white LEDs (well, SMDs) wired such that every 3 are in series, with a common ground and a 120 OHM resistor. I just need to know where I can find 12V within the cluster while the car is ON to wire them to.



I downloaded the shop manual (the $13 one) but haven't figured out how to open it yet LOL.

Any ideas?

 

....Boy you guys are Crazy Geeks that can screw around with instrument panels...JimB

 

....I have often wondered why my 10Speed panel is a stupid dull (that I can't read without my glasses)...Floresent Lights...really...my opinion of some things Bentley does...diminishes the more I read...but that's life...sell a car for 250 large and get chinzy with pennies...JimB

 

Hi Jim.

I take it you are aware that the dash lights can be dimmed or brightened!!!

Les.

 

....yes, thank you, talking about DIP Driver Info Panel...turned up to max...half as bright as should be...phlorescent tubes...really....panel so dim...almost unreadable...dangerous...I have to put glasses on to read it...JimB Have gotten use to the individual peculiarity...JimB

 

SOrry for necroposting.
I try ti find what pins on cluster works with turn signals. I want to instal lnewer inem but turb signAls are working but nothing on dip

if i plug earlier model it says about some oberheat (tems are ok.)

don't lnow what to do(