Broken after a mere 22 years

[adam quantrill]

The clock stopped in the 400SX over Xmas and won't start again.

I suppose it will have to come out for a refurb - while I'm at it the backlight for the clock is much dimmer than everything else so I'm thinking of putting in some green LEDs.

I take it the centre console (400SE style) is held in with a couple of nuts - best replaced with wingnuts?

[Lean Machine]

Before you take it out call Uri Geller. I heard he can fix clocks using his mental powers ;-)

Tony.TCB.

[Wedg1e]

Probably the dedicated IC that runs it. Made of purest Unobtanium. You haven't done anything daft like use a jump-start charger or put the battery leads on backwards have you, there's no polarity protection in the clock circuitry so they die pretty swiftly.
I got a replacement for mine from Shaun (1fingerbandit), ended up swapping the innards to my case as it was in better condition.
The IC is an L121 or similar, if you find a supplier let me know

[CHJ]

adam quantrill said:

I take it the centre console (400SE style) is held in with a couple of nuts - best replaced with wingnuts?

On my 400SE there are 2 nuts/bolts about level with the heater controls, which hold on the metal facing for the veneer, and then having removed that there are behind it a couple of screws at the front holding the actual centre console unit in place.
I managed to get to the nuts either side with a small socket set by putting my hand up there from behind from down in the footwells. It helps to be slim. I think wingnuts are probably a very good idea.

Chris

[jmorgan]

Mine is wedged in (geddit?)... the front decorative panel is literally wedged in there. Is is supposed to fixed in with the screw. To get to them if they were there I would remove the radio and get someone with agile wrists to get in there. Careful how you get it out though, I can crack the veneer effect. Also the air vents have to come out.

Then there is a metal plate that screws to the main body of the dash. Two either side in the middle, ish. And the heater sliders may need to come off but they are a mare. Screws are obvious for them. Depending on how much slack there is in them you may be able to GENTLY pull one side away.

The other problem now is getting the clock out. On mine there is a single knurled nut over the U bracket that presses it to the metal plate and the leads that have to come off.

Watch out for the main switch light fibres. They tend to pop out quite easily.

[combine]

adam quantrill said:

The clock stopped in the 400SX over Xmas and won't start again.

I suppose it will have to come out for a refurb - while I'm at it the backlight for the clock is much dimmer than everything else so I'm thinking of putting in some green LEDs.

I take it the centre console (400SE style) is held in with a couple of nuts - best replaced with wingnuts?

Could do with some pics of the job as others probably wonder how to remove stuff from the ' wooden panelling '.

[Oz2]

Take out the radio and its quite easty to get to, then you can undo the two nuts holding on the veneer panel, placed either side of the radio hole....

Then there is another two self tappers fixing the steel dial panel, once they are out and you pull off the heater ducting and heater cables you can swing the panel round as in the pic, then you can get to everything real easy and while you are at it install LEDs and get rid of the useless fibre optics

[combine]

That facia lighting is brilliant , how do you get those green lights in the switches/etc ?

[Cliffedge]

adam quantrill said:

While I'm at it the backlight for the clock is much dimmer than everything else so I'm thinking of putting in some green LEDs.

Will they match the ones you were supposed to put in your patio?!

[adam quantrill]

Touche' Cliffster! Nah - they were going to be red, yellow and orange... will sort that little job one day...

[adam quantrill]

Now sorted.... ;^)

[jmorgan]

That Milton Keynes from the air?

[Wedg1e]

jmorgan said:

That Milton Keynes from the air?

Can't be, not enough Police chases and Saxos running underside neons

[JMF894]

My clock hasn't worked for year either. Apparently.

So i'm all ears if someone knows where to get it fixed.

Adam, taking the centre panel out is no great shakes, as has been said take the radio out then there are two nuts, one either side of the radio opening behind the panel.

Remember when you pull out the panel the heater control caps will need to be pulled off first and take care to seperate the heater vents from the hoses properly.

Jimbo

[PoleDriver]

I have a clock going begging out of my 350i. Hasn't been in the car for a while but I'll check it out in the next couple of days. Open to offers?

[jmorgan]

JMF894 said:

My clock hasn't worked for year either. Apparently.

So i'm all ears if someone knows where to get it fixed.

Jimbo

Speedy cables. They repair all sorts, did my rev counter. Pixies have nicked it for now but it looked superb when it was returned.

http://www.speedycables.com/sendingparts.html

[JMF894]

Thanks

Jimbo

[jon haines]

Those lights look the dogs b******s i am thinking of a project now!

[JMF894]

I got a reply from Speedy Cables today. Normally they try to upgrade clocks to quartz but when this is not possible they repair.

Ballpark figure for a repaired clock is £60-100 plus carriage and VAT

Hope this helps


Jimbo