09 Ka Dash mileage reading flashing?

[Dinoboy]

Hi there,

Wonder if anyone has any experience of this problem?
2009 Ford Ka with under 40k miles, intermittent problem where the digital mileage reading on the dash flashes.
Be grateful for any help.

[neil_w]

Is this a mk 2 ka?

They are a fiat under the skin and this is a fairly common thing with modern fiats, my 2007 bravo did it once but never again. i can't remember the exact reason but if you google 'fiat mileage flashing' you'll get loads of results.

[Dinoboy]

Thanks for that.

[DaveBenyon]

If you Google for "flashing dashboard" you will find that the problem occurs on a great many makes - even Cadillac! Now I worked for several decades in Technical Support of complex systems before I retired so I feel that there has to be common culprit. Former colleagues inform me that there is. THE CULPRIT IS THE EU! Allegedly those overpaid clowns who are not engineers have banned the use of lead in solder. OK there might be some justification regarding solder for pipes that carry drinking water but for electronics and especially printed circuit boards, the ban on the use of lead is a disaster as the result is a prolific number of dry joints. Solder made from 60% tin and 40% lead is the Eutectic Mixture that melts at 183 degrees Centigrade (for the pedants the ratios are actually 62% Tin and 38% Lead) The Eutectic Mixture has the great advantage of having a low melting point and flowing and "wetting" very well unlike the new EU approved solder. To sum up, the next time that your dashboard goes on the blink don't forget who to blame as it probably won't be the car maker.

PS I've still to meet anyone who eats printed circuit boards. Does such a person exist? If he or she does exist I do hope that they appreciate how the EU are looking after them!