Old Astra, Clock/Date/Temp display.

Hi,
As I've mentioned before, I've got an 'R' reg (older shape) Astra.
The display that shows the clock/date and temperature stopped working months
ago, I assumed that the bulb had gone, and left it until I had time to have
a look.
That time came yesterday, and it was suprisingly easy to remove the module
from the dash. (2 screws, a bit of wiggling and a little plug to remove).
On closer investigation, the bulbs were fine, but the soldering of the plug
onto the board looked a bit suspect, so I attempted to resolder the pins to
the board.
On replacing the module in the car, it seems to work better, but is still
behaving oddly, doens't always light up, unless the headlights are on
(though it does sometimes). It seems to sometimes forget the time if the
ignition is turned off for longer than a few minutes, etc. etc.

Anyone got experience of this, and can point me to where to look next,
should I suspect my soldering (I'm no expert) or is it more likely to be the
connecting cable, or some component failure on the board itself??
On the subject of the cable, does it plug in at the far end, or is it just
wired directly into the loom?? I'd like to remove it so that I can test
connectivity.

One final question (and thanks if you've kept with me this far!). How easy
is it to remove the panel where the controls for the heater etc. are? As one
or two bulbs in there seems to have failed also (or is that more likely to
be a connector issue too??) Some simple instructions would be excellent
help!

Thanks,

 

In message ,

Well, to answer my own question, it was indeed my dodgy soldering. I took
the unit back out last night, and re-soldered all the pins. It seems to be
working fine now...

One other thing. My radio is an after-market one, and when the radio is
turned on, the date on the display disappears (it used to show the radio
station with the original radio). I'm told that if I cut the red/grey wire*
then the date should stay on. Anyone able to confirm this before I get my
wirecutters out!!?

(*Red wire with a grey trace)

 

In message ,

Well, I'm overwhelmed with the level of activity in this group at the
moment...
Again, to answer my own question, for anyone else trying to find out the
same thing, it is indeed the red/grey wire that needs to be cut. Date
display now stays active when radio is switched on.

 

Sorry you are not getting a response from anyone, particularly from someone
with an older Astra. You will just have to comfort yourself in the
knowledge that your problem with the display and its method of repair may
help someone in the future when they search the group for an answer.

Gio

 

In message glqp7m$qld$,

Thank's for your reply. It makes me feel better just to know that SOMEONE is
listening!!

In case my last post sounded arsey, I was only joking btw, maybe I should
have added a )

If I manage to answer my own questions, I usually try to post a response to
them, for just the reason you mentioned.

Though there seems to be less activity in here than there used to be, which
is a shame.

 

Maybe Vauxhalls are getting more reliable? Though I have noted fewer
posts on all the groups I read of late.

 

In message ,

Think usenet in general is dying out slowly. In 'real life' I only know a
couple of other people that even know what it is...! Web based forums and
groups are taking over, which IMO is a shame, because I find newsgroups work
much better for this sort of thing, but maybe I'm just old-fashioned...??!
)

 

You can feel comforted that you're asking questions which few, if any, can
answer. Wouldn't it be worse if you felt everyone but you knew it all ?!

 

I read the question, could not answer but handy to know you sorted it out
and I might remember it in future should the need occur.

Ian

 

Well Chris there seems to be at least 5 people reading and responding to
this group

Gio

 

Me Too!
i read it too!

now where's my prize ?

dB

 

Welcome back dB. I don't know about a prize other than the honour you
receive for recording your immortalised words in cyberspace. But having
said that, that's us up to 6 now ! By gum we are raking them in now, it is
not quite so dead here after all.

Gio

 

Add me in (number 7)
Phil

 

8

 

9

 

We might even make it into double figures !

 

Well there is a number 10 out there! Or should that read in here?
I'm being quiet because I'm job hunting. Ex-employer made 19 of us
redundant.
Dave