Hi All,

This is my first post, ffrr was recommended by a member.

For the last month or so the instrument cluster on my 2003 L322 4.4 V8 has been saying that I have a "low key battery" and that I need to "check brake pads". I had an MOT done and my mechanic changed all the brake pads and sensors, and the key battery but the messages are still coming up.

My mechanic has said that the Instrument Custer is failing and needs to be changed at a cost of £495 + 3 hours to fit and programme. I phoned an Instrument cluster specialist in Norfolk who said that it sounds like a software problem that can't be fixed.

I have come across a used Instrument cluster on eBay less than £100 which is also from a 2003 V8 but I'm getting conflicting advice on whether it is compatible. A company in Southampton said that they could clone my info and input it to the new one but another company told me to check with RR because I need to check if that is possible?

Has anyone had a similar problem?

Any help would be appreciated.

Rich

It doesn't sound like you need a new instrument cluster to me. Sounds like your mechanic didn't change the brake pad sensors, or else you need the fault code resetting which he perhaps didn't do.

I've just posted this in the "in car electronics" forum which is maybe more suitable.

Hi Simes,

I checked with the mechanic and he said they have changed the sensors. They are RR specialists so I would hope they've done it correctly.

Rich

Always expect the simple solution to be the correct one matey...

Welcome!

 l:OolΞΞΞΞΞΞloO:l

2002 4.4 Vogue Java Black

To be fair to them, they spent a whole day checking everything they could think it could possibly be and deduced that its the cluster. I have to say though, one cluster specialist said that he fixes 60-70 a week and has never heard of one doing this.

first thing to do ram is to dis-connect the battery, the procedure is in the wiki, and then re-connect ...
it could be that a: the garage dis-connected the battery and didnt reset the steering parameters or b:the battery went flat whilst they were dealing with the brakes..
it could also be that you might need a new replacement battery as the fullfat is fussy if it doesnt get full power. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

I changed my pads and sensor a few weeks back, and it took a couple of days for the system to acknowledge that I had infact changed them and to stop b!tching about it...

Try Stans susggestion of Battery Disconnection - it may just give it the kick in the pants it needs.!!! 

Sorry for the delayed responce, I was knocked off my bike on friday cycling home from work. A few broken bones and some nice cuts and grazes have laid me up for a few days.

Thanks for the advice guys. I will take Stan's advice and disconnect the battery first but as my mechanic is a RR specialist, I would hope they've tried that. Can anyone recommend someone for me to take it to who may have experience with problems like this? I'm based in South East London.

I have spoken to Cartronix in Waterlooville, Hampshire who say they can clone my cluster on to a used one and import the mileage (My mileage is only 56k so hopefully he can do it, don't fancy having a car that's done 56k, showing 118k). He says he's done it many times before without problems.

Thanks

Rich

Can they change clusters ? I was under the impression it puts a small pixel up in the mileage box to indicate that the mileage has been tampered with ! ?

I had the pad warning for several days after sorting the sensor, turn on ignition without starting then wait for warning to clear.

mercs600 wrote:

Can they change clusters ? I was under the impression it puts a small pixel up in the mileage box to indicate that the mileage has been tampered with ! ?

As long as all the various modules that store the mileage read the same, then the tamper pixel wont show. Likewise, if the replacement speedo is adjusted with the correct software to read the current mileage, the tamper pixel wont show, as all the modules match the same.

Just realised, Cartronix are just up the road from me, may have a nosey at them  Reformed

Hi guys,

So I've just tried Stan's suggestion of disconnecting the battery and the cluster is still showing "check brake pads" and the red brake warning light is still on. It also said "Air suspention inactive but that may have just been the start up because it only came up once. It looks like the "key battery low" message has cleared though.

Looks like I'm going to Southampton tomorrow.

Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know how I get on.

Rich

Just thinking; the fact that it cleared the "low key battery" message but not the "check brake pads" one makes me think the problem is not the cluster, it's something else.

Any thoughts??