Dashboard failure on AM DB9

Dashboard failure on AM DB9

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Davidjohn1951

Original Poster:

1 posts

68 months

Wednesday 13th March 2019
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I have a 2006 registered DB9 that I have owned for 9 years, without problem! Last summer at Le Mans the car was parked in the open in high temperature- ~35 degrees. When I came to leave the dashboard start sequence started but then all dials went back to off position and a message came up "Dashboard Failure." This meant no dials/guages were functioning, indicators, wipers, aircon, hood etc also not working but engine fired up as normal and car was mechanically driveable, albeit not legal! After a period in shade and cooler temperature all came back on as normal. This happened about 5-6 times in days/weeks thereafter, always when air temperature was high and NOT when engine at working temp. It always went back to normal when air cooled.
Stratstone at Wilmslow had a look when it was in for service but after an hour gave up and only charged me £100 for not finding the problem! As it's intermittent, the problem can't be created and has been fine over winter.
As spring/summer approaches I fear it will come back! Anybody else come accross this problem and, more importantly, a solution?

Penelope Stopit

11,209 posts

116 months

Wednesday 13th March 2019
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You need to make up a test box with several bulbs and have someone connect the bulbs to various locations in the failing circuits, when the fault raises its ugly head one or more bulbs extinguishing will point you in the direction of the fault

You could replace the relays and fuses that control the failing circuits and test

untakenname

5,052 posts

199 months

Thursday 14th March 2019
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35 degrees ambient temperature could easily be double that in the car, perhaps it's simply too hot for the electronics to function and so the car shuts down to protect them?

Simplest solution maybe to fit a sun protector to the windscreen/dash when parked in the sun on hot days.

Other end of the spectrum but a neighbour had a Peugeot which when parked in the sun the lights wouldn't work, went back to the garage multiple times to have parts replaced in the end it was the steering wheel which caused the issue.


David Woodward

2 posts

68 months

Thursday 14th March 2019
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Thank you. That could be helpful. I will arrange to do so next time the fault occurs, whenever that may be!!

David Woodward

2 posts

68 months

Thursday 14th March 2019
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Thank you. That would be worth a try also! A fault in the steering column has been mentioned so worth another look. Now need to wait for a hot sunny day.....