No paradise by these dashboard lights

[Skyedriver]

I bought the car in April and never been out in the dark until last night when I realised the instrument lights don't work. Aah said I, the reostat by my left knee. So I twiddled but nothing. Took the cowl off tonight and the wires aren't fixed to the switch. Spiced then together to bypass the switch but still nothing. Are the instruments on a separate fuse and does anyone have a diagram of the fuse box to hand please.
Thanks in advance

[NZ fan]

I take it you are aware of the button by your left knee (the one that turns the dash lights on and off)
Re. The paradise bit... Let us know how you get on there, I here she was "doubly blessed"

Edited by NZ fan on Friday 12th September 03:09

[s p a c e m a n]

And that rheostat controls the intermittent setting on the windscreen wipers.

Posting this thread is a rite of passage to TVR ownership, you're not part of the gang until you've spent time trying to get the dashboard lights working

[Milky400]

NZ fan said:

I take it you are aware of the button by your left knee (the one that turns the dash lights on and off)
Re. The paradise bit... Let us know how you get on there, I here she was "doubly blessed"

Edited by NZ fan on Friday 12th September 03:09

Hmmmmmm been there.................

[phazed]

I must have led a sheltered life and can only guess as to what you're talking about!

[NZ fan]

Reference to a meatloaf song I,m sure you've heard.(it's actually "we were doubly blessed" but sometimes the lyrics are just screaming to be changed).

[Skyedriver]

TBH at 61, paradise anywhere is limited*, but going back on subject, I know about the rheostat, the wires to it are not attached so I shorted them together but still nothing.
Never knew that it controlled the wipers, can't recall my last Chimaera doing that 10 year ago.
Wiring diagram? Fuse box diagram anyone?

• Used to manage it in an MG Midget 40 year ago

[NZ fan]

Just to clarify Tony. Have you tried the button (not rheostat ) up under the dash by your left knee?

[ukdj]

Hope these help although there are a few different layouts .....

Fusebox




Wiring Diagram (in two parts)

[QBee]

Skyedriver said:

TBH at 61, paradise anywhere is limited*, but going back on subject, I know about the rheostat, the wires to it are not attached so I shorted them together but still nothing.
Never knew that it controlled the wipers, can't recall my last Chimaera doing that 10 year ago.
Wiring diagram? Fuse box diagram anyone?

• Used to manage it in an MG Midget 40 year ago

I am 61 too......the thought of "managing it" in a Chimaera with the roof on at my age has me smiling in the certain knowledge that it might be just one stretch too far.
Now, a VW Golf at 48.....

[QBee]

QBee said:

Skyedriver said:

TBH at 61, paradise anywhere is limited*, but going back on subject, I know about the rheostat, the wires to it are not attached so I shorted them together but still nothing.
Never knew that it controlled the wipers, can't recall my last Chimaera doing that 10 year ago.
Wiring diagram? Fuse box diagram anyone?

• Used to manage it in an MG Midget 40 year ago

I am 61 too......the thought of "managing it" in a Chimaera with the roof on at my age has me smiling in the certain knowledge that it might be just one stretch too far.
Now, a VW Golf at 42.....

And yes, as the bishop said to the actress, "I think you've grabbed the wrong knob", OP - it's the matching button to the boot release, but above your left knee. The black knob thingy on the steering column doesn't seem to work in my car either.

[fatboychim]

QBee said:

I am 61 too......the thought of "managing it" in a Chimaera with the roof on at my age has me smiling in the certain knowledge that it might be just one stretch too far.
Now, a VW Golf at 48.....

QBee said:

Never thought of getting my back poly bushed.......must give it a try...

I can think of no better reason.

I resisted the temptation to edit out this section of your post. "In a Chimaera with the roof on"

[Skyedriver]

A button the same as the boot release?
Can't recall seeing that either on this or the last Chimaera (3 years 24k miles)
When I get home tonight I'll wiggle my fingers around in an exploratory fashion and see if I can find the spot where it is located.
I was obviously twiddling the wrong knob yesterday.

[QBee]

Skyedriver said:

A button the same as the boot release?
Can't recall seeing that either on this or the last Chimaera (3 years 24k miles)
When I get home tonight I'll wiggle my fingers around in an exploratory fashion and see if I can find the spot where it is located.
I was obviously twiddling the wrong knob yesterday.

Don't wiggle your fingers down below....just stick your head down there and have a good look - there are matching buttons, one each side...
press the left one, her display lights up
press the right one, her rear opens up.
Simples...

[QBee]

fatboychim said:

QBee said:

I am 61 too......the thought of "managing it" in a Chimaera with the roof on at my age has me smiling in the certain knowledge that it might be just one stretch too far.
Now, a VW Golf at 48.....

QBee said:

Never thought of getting my back poly bushed.......must give it a try...

I can think of no better reason.

I resisted the temptation to edit out this section of your post. "In a Chimaera with the roof on"

bd!!

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Skyedriver said:

A button the same as the boot release?
Can't recall seeing that either on this or the last Chimaera (3 years 24k miles)
When I get home tonight I'll wiggle my fingers around in an exploratory fashion and see if I can find the spot where it is located.
I was obviously twiddling the wrong knob yesterday.

There will be a button by your left knee, under the dash.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Skyedriver said:

+++
Can't recall seeing that either on this or the last Chimaera (3 years 24k miles)

A bit like the (useless) third sun visor like flap on the Audi TT mark 1. Most people never discover it at all! (And most Chimaera drivers only find the dash switch when they've turned the lights out by mistake with their knee )

[Skyedriver]

What a total posstott, 3 years with the last one and I cannot recall a button under the dash
Never mind, a quick flick with the finger and she lit up like a good old girl

Now if only fixing the droopy dangly thing was as simple.
I've spend an hour with a hammer, screwdriver, stanley knife, and someone holding the droopy bit. Finally cut it off with the snippers. I'll need a chocolate block to get it back together now, once the replacement part arrives.

On another musical tale completely, did abnyone listen to Sheryl Crow on Bob Harris Country last night (Radio2 about 19.55)
A song with the chorus "drive it like you stole it, **** it like you've rent it.."
Apparently it was her Dad used to tell her!

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Skyedriver said:

What a total posstott, 3 years with the last one and I cannot recall a button under the dash
Never mind, a quick flick with the finger and she lit up like a good old girl

Cripes! Next you'll be saying you've not found the key switch to turn the passenger air-bag off

[Skyedriver]

Passenger air bag, that'll be Tom he never shuts up