Intermittent faults in electronic systems may be very difficult
to detect and to diagnose accurately. The instrument cluster may detect different
malfunctions under different vehicle conditions. For this reason, a thorough
test drive is often needed in order to repeat a fault condition. If the system
malfunction is not repeated during the drive test, a good description of the
complaint may be useful in locating an intermittent fault condition. Also,
perform tests while moving related wiring and connectors. This can often cause
the malfunction to reoccur.
Faulty wires or connections cause most intermittent problems. When an
intermittent condition is suspected, inspect the suspected circuits for these
conditions:
| • | Poor mating of connector halves, or backed out terminals. |
| • | Improperly formed or damaged terminals. |
| • | Poor wire to terminal connections. |
| • | Dirty or corroded terminals. |
The following conditions may result in intermittent instrument cluster
operation with no DTCs stored:
| • | Any condition which results in the interruption of power to the
instrument cluster. |
| • | The battery voltage is out of range (below 6V or above 16V). |
| • | A loose or damaged ground. |
