Cruise light/indicator

[PauSum]

The Cruise light/indcator of my MY06 Forrester does not come on any more (from testings during the installing of the LED light bar). I can still use the cruise function though.

I took the dashboard out today as the YouTube below and didn't see any bulb blown

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1MutQcHoSk"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1MutQcHoSk[/ame]

Has anyone got any experience/advice on fixing this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ratbag]

There will be two lights. One for cruise control on/off; one for cruise control set/not set.

Does either one or both work/not work?

 

[PauSum]

There will be two lights. One for cruise control on/off; one for cruise control set/not set.

Does either one or both work/not work?

The "set/Not set" light is showing but not the cruise control on/off one.

 

[Ratbag]

^ OK. Is there any blistering or rippling of the circuit board tracks going the the cruise control on/off light - i.e. lack of smoothness?

It's unlikely, but the circuit board track could have been fried. If so, it could be repaired by soldering jumper wire/s to replace the bad track/s.

However, far more likely to be a bad bulb.

Have you checked the bulb resistance using a multimeter?

 

[lefty]

The "set/Not set" light is showing but not the cruise control on/off one.

swap the bulbs

 

[PauSum]

Is there any blistering or rippling of the circuit board tracks going the the cruise control on/off light - i.e. lack of smoothness?

Don't know, need to open the unit to see the circuit board inside - will be a job for next week then.

It's unlikely, but the circuit board track could have been fried. If so, it could be repaired by soldering jumper wire/s to replace the bad track/s.

Sounds tricky to me, but will see how it goes when I open up the unit to see the circuit board.

However, far more likely to be a bad bulb.

Fingers crossed!

Have you checked the bulb resistance using a multimeter?

No, just visually seeing the filaments inside are still unbroken.

 

[PauSum]

swap the bulbs

I've tried swapping the similar bulbs already...

 

[Ratbag]

If you have a reasonably decent multimeter, check for voltage across the two bulb holder contacts on the circuit board.

Like a financial calculator, a decent multimeter is worth its weight in gold.

When my 25 y.o. one shat itself last year, I bought a Digitech QM-1549 to replace it. Chose this one mainly because it is the most accurate one in the millivolt range for under a grand or so. IIRC, it cost around $70 at Jaycar.

Fully waterproof. Also measures up to 10A for both AC and DC. A nice all-round unit. MUCH cheaper than anything even close to it in a Fluke model.

Also measures up to 40M Ohms ...

Also bought a wonderful little gizmo called a Klein Tools Voltage Tester for checking live wires. Cost less than $20, IIRC. It only works 50-1,000V though, so more a household device.

 

[PauSum]

When my 25 y.o. one shat itself last year, I bought a Digitech QM-1549 to replace it. Chose this one mainly because it is the most accurate one in the millivolt range for under a grand or so. IIRC, it cost around $70 at Jaycar.

Fully waterproof. Also measures up to 10A for both AC and DC. A nice all-round unit. MUCH cheaper than anything even close to it in a Fluke model.

Also measures up to 40M Ohms ...

Sounds like very good price for the product. Will have a check at Jaycar..

 

[PauSum]

OK, took the dashboard out and opened up the unit and didn't see any obvious sign of toasted circuit.

Swapped few bulbs around and still do not see the "Cruise" indicator coming up.

Took some bulbs out and looked into the holes and can see individual sign/indicators such as "brake"; "Left turn" etc but can't see any bulb for "Cruise" ???

Anyway, wanted to replace all the bulbs and drove to Autobarn and Repco but none of them stock these bulbs!!!

The guy in Autobarn recommended Jaycar and the guy in Repco recommended a company called "Aisat Instruments".

Will ring Aisat Instruments for their advice; otherwise will shoot a trip to Jaycar.