Calais Turbo

Weezy · 30-11-08, 21:28

The sender unit in the fuel tank is ef'd in my bet.

bewsh · 01-12-08, 13:32

are the executive and calais speedo and trip meter mechanicals the same?

bewsh · 11-12-08, 09:01

anyone?

calaid · 11-12-08, 18:37

Most common problem is going to be dry solder joints, as deadlyvl points out if you don't want to try it yourself most instrument fitters will fix it for you, got my speedo fixed , new plastic gear fitted to odometer and all guauges recalibrated and resoldered for under a hundred dollars, well worth the time and hastle, only took a day to do, hope this helps guys.

Weezy · 28-12-08, 19:14

For you to get to the inside part of the PCB on the dash cluster, I un did all the screws in the back of the cluster, and went to lift off the PCB and there is these tiny pop rivit looking things holding it onto the cluster, as I want to run that bit of hookup wire like;

Waughy · 28-12-08, 19:35

That little round thing around the stud is a nut, unscrew it. Make sure it's done up tight when doing it back up too, as it provides the ground to whichever gauge is behind it. The stud is actually part of the gauge.

Weezy · 28-12-08, 20:15

How do you un-screw it, it doesnt have a nut thing or anything to put a flat/phillips head onto it?

Or is the nut on the other side of the PCB?

VL_Nick · 29-12-08, 05:49

use some pliers

Waughy · 29-12-08, 07:35

Yeah, I think it's in the shadow in the pic, but there should be a slot either side of the post, just use pliers to unscrew it, unless it's been put on upside down, then just grab it around the side. Doesn't relly matter if you mess it up a little, as long as it can screw back down.

Danny_Boy · 05-01-09, 09:21

My fuel gauge works fine.. but only like 60% of the time, i didnt go to all the trouble of soldering it, i just did the trick from the first post and its been working 100% now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waughy

Yeah, I think it's in the shadow in the pic, but there should be a slot either side of the post, just use pliers to unscrew it, unless it's been put on upside down, then just grab it around the side. Doesn't relly matter if you mess it up a little, as long as it can screw back down.

i just used a small flat blade on it and got it off quite easily.

but yeah make sure you do it up tight again, silly me did em back up hand tight and the oil and volt gauges didnt work lol so had to pull it out and tighten it lol

FRKVLT · 27-04-09, 21:27

can we just get away with moving the instrument cluster surroundings or do we have to pull the whole dash apart to remove the instrument cluster?

Also in the pic below l get this illumination most of the time, l am not sure if its suppose to be low in coolant sign or low in water for wiper wash?

cheers

FRKVLT · 30-04-09, 09:35

ok guys fixed the fuel gauge problem, but now the oil pressure stays on "5", how do l fix that?

cheers

FRKVLT · 01-05-09, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluVLCT

ok guys fixed the fuel gauge problem, but now the oil pressure stays on "5", how do l fix that?

cheers

bump.

FRKVLT · 05-05-09, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluVLCT

ok guys fixed the fuel gauge problem, but now the oil pressure stays on "5", how do l fix that?

cheers

anyone??

KALAY · 31-05-09, 23:52

done this, and it worke,d thanks.. 2 years with no fuel guage

madrx3boy · 01-06-10, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRKVLT

can we just get away with moving the instrument cluster surroundings or do we have to pull the whole dash apart to remove the instrument cluster?

Also in the pic below l get this illumination most of the time, l am not sure if its suppose to be low in coolant sign or low in water for wiper wash?

cheers

Low Coolant. I had that light come on quite often in my old calais (only calais have that warning light). but always had enough coolant so the sensor was probably dirty or something. I never got round to looking at it before I sold it though.

With regards to your Oil Pressure gauge, did you do up that nut tightly? I've just read all through this thread and that seems to be a common problem once people have fixed their fuel guage, they forget to do up that nut properly.

cheers

nil boost · 01-06-10, 17:29

I'm going to try this, i hope it works, it has a new sender unit in it, but my fuel gauge reads empy all the time. Sometimes i will see it work, if the car is not moving at all, just at idle, but the second the car moves, gauge stops working, and my oil pressure gauge works before the motor even starts, time for a new oil pressure switch i think.

Will VL Nicks way work on all VL dash clusters ?

jordy · 01-06-10, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRKVLT

ok guys fixed the fuel gauge problem, but now the oil pressure stays on "5", how do l fix that?

cheers

The oil pressure gauge reads maximum if the sensor is not plugged in. Check your wiring and make sure all the plugs are in properly.

trinda · 15-08-10, 15:24

tried vl_nicks idea of soldering the botls, worked for 10 seconds and then nothing at all again. any tips ? should i try tighting the bolts ?

VL_Nick · 15-08-10, 17:07

just check the soler connections to make sure they are good and make sure everything is done up tightly when you put it back together. it seems a lot more problems occur after people perform this mod, due to not putting the cluster back together tightly. I did it myself as well.

SYMO · 20-01-11, 18:22

Thanx for posting this, my crap fuel gauge hasnt worked for over a year, lives on empty most of the time but every now and then on a full moon it shows a bit of life for a few seconds. Actually great timing, i found this thread and i have my dash completely dismantled so ill give both methods a try, seems simple enuff.
I dont think my sender is the issue, when it does work it seems to be accurate, its just gettn the piece of **** to work at all, bit like a politician really.

VLwag87 · 06-03-11, 19:11

Thanks VL_nick, worked a treat

Only problem is now my oil gauge isn't working for some reason.
Any ideas?

VL_Nick · 06-03-11, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by VLwag87

Thanks VL_nick, worked a treat

Only problem is now my oil gauge isn't working for some reason.
Any ideas?

try tightening the small brass nut on the back of the cluster up more. i had the same issue and it worked for me.

bachig24u · 08-03-11, 14:49

I've been lucky enough to fix a few VL dash dsiplays now.
common problems if the gauges test good are the earth connections (brass nuts everyone is talking about).

Also clean off the tarnish from the brass and soldered (silver) edge connections will always help. Use something like an ink eraser, if your misses isn't watching grab her nail buffer and use the rough side to lightly scuff/buff the contact areas and threads.

ledouche · 09-03-11, 10:38

hey i read this and then soldered the wire like shown own first page and above, this and seemed to fix my problem and all gauges are now working. thanks for the help and good thread

01-12-08, 13:32	#102
bewsh VL JUNKIE Join Date: 30-10-06 Location: VIC, SE Car: G6E Turbo [G6E-747] Trader Rating: (8)	are the executive and calais speedo and trip meter mechanicals the same? __________________ GMH Yellow Interceptor

11-12-08, 09:01	#103
bewsh VL JUNKIE Join Date: 30-10-06 Location: VIC, SE Car: G6E Turbo [G6E-747] Trader Rating: (8)	anyone? __________________ GMH Yellow Interceptor

11-12-08, 18:37	#104
calaid Player Join Date: 25-06-07 Location: Brisbane, regents park Car: vl calais/ sedan /wagon/ wb capricex2/ vk wagon calais look alike. Trader Rating: (0)	Most common problem is going to be dry solder joints, as deadlyvl points out if you don't want to try it yourself most instrument fitters will fix it for you, got my speedo fixed , new plastic gear fitted to odometer and all guauges recalibrated and resoldered for under a hundred dollars, well worth the time and hastle, only took a day to do, hope this helps guys. .

27-04-09, 21:27	#111
FRKVLT Gold Members Join Date: 04-12-08 Location: VIC, Melb Car: Trader Rating: (12)	can we just get away with moving the instrument cluster surroundings or do we have to pull the whole dash apart to remove the instrument cluster? Also in the pic below l get this illumination most of the time, l am not sure if its suppose to be low in coolant sign or low in water for wiper wash? cheers Last edited by FRKVLT; 13-08-11 at 00:33.

08-03-11, 14:49	#124
bachig24u Player Join Date: 12-04-10 Location: NSW, Austral Car: VL Calais Trader Rating: (2)	I've been lucky enough to fix a few VL dash dsiplays now. common problems if the gauges test good are the earth connections (brass nuts everyone is talking about). Also clean off the tarnish from the brass and soldered (silver) edge connections will always help. Use something like an ink eraser, if your misses isn't watching grab her nail buffer and use the rough side to lightly scuff/buff the contact areas and threads. __________________ Simon http://www.jps.net.au tuners [at] jps.net.au ECU Calibration Engineer - Tuner

28-12-08, 19:35	#106
Waughy Gold Members Join Date: 24-05-04 Location: NSW, Newcastle Car: VZ Wagon. Trader Rating: (11)	That little round thing around the stud is a nut, unscrew it. Make sure it's done up tight when doing it back up too, as it provides the ground to whichever gauge is behind it. The stud is actually part of the gauge.

29-12-08, 05:49	#108
VL_Nick Player Join Date: 17-02-03 Location: Canberra, ACT Car: VL Wagon Trader Rating: (0)	use some pliers

29-12-08, 07:35	#109
Waughy Gold Members Join Date: 24-05-04 Location: NSW, Newcastle Car: VZ Wagon. Trader Rating: (11)	Yeah, I think it's in the shadow in the pic, but there should be a slot either side of the post, just use pliers to unscrew it, unless it's been put on upside down, then just grab it around the side. Doesn't relly matter if you mess it up a little, as long as it can screw back down.

30-04-09, 09:35	#112
FRKVLT Gold Members Join Date: 04-12-08 Location: VIC, Melb Car: Trader Rating: (12)	ok guys fixed the fuel gauge problem, but now the oil pressure stays on "5", how do l fix that? cheers

01-06-10, 17:29	#117
nil boost Player Join Date: 25-05-10 Location: NSW, north coast Car: Trader Rating: (0)	I'm going to try this, i hope it works, it has a new sender unit in it, but my fuel gauge reads empy all the time. Sometimes i will see it work, if the car is not moving at all, just at idle, but the second the car moves, gauge stops working, and my oil pressure gauge works before the motor even starts, time for a new oil pressure switch i think. Will VL Nicks way work on all VL dash clusters ?

15-08-10, 15:24	#119
trinda Player Join Date: 08-08-10 Location: VIC, South East Car: vt berlina Trader Rating: (0)	tried vl_nicks idea of soldering the botls, worked for 10 seconds and then nothing at all again. any tips ? should i try tighting the bolts ?

15-08-10, 17:07	#120
VL_Nick Player Join Date: 17-02-03 Location: Canberra, ACT Car: VL Wagon Trader Rating: (0)	just check the soler connections to make sure they are good and make sure everything is done up tightly when you put it back together. it seems a lot more problems occur after people perform this mod, due to not putting the cluster back together tightly. I did it myself as well.

20-01-11, 18:22	#121
SYMO Player Join Date: 20-01-11 Location: Adelaide, Nthn suburbs Car: VL BERLINA Trader Rating: (0)	Thanx for posting this, my crap fuel gauge hasnt worked for over a year, lives on empty most of the time but every now and then on a full moon it shows a bit of life for a few seconds. Actually great timing, i found this thread and i have my dash completely dismantled so ill give both methods a try, seems simple enuff. I dont think my sender is the issue, when it does work it seems to be accurate, its just gettn the piece of **** to work at all, bit like a politician really.

06-03-11, 19:11	#122
VLwag87 Player Join Date: 06-03-11 Location: VIC, Melbourne Car: Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks VL_nick, worked a treat Only problem is now my oil gauge isn't working for some reason. Any ideas?

09-03-11, 10:38	#125
ledouche Player Join Date: 05-01-11 Location: Sydney, somewhere? Car: white vlt manual~~stolen~~ Trader Rating: (1)	hey i read this and then soldered the wire like shown own first page and above, this and seemed to fix my problem and all gauges are now working. thanks for the help and good thread Last edited by ledouche; 09-03-11 at 10:43.