SPA gauge back light problem
 

I have MY01 WRX.

I have installed a SPA dual oil temp/pressure gauge in a on dash a pillar pod.

Both the back lights have failed and the oil temp reading at startup is negative. After approx 5 mins the reading becomes postive and is correct. I have verified the temp values via a laser thermometer.

The gauge worked perfectly on receipt. This problem developed approx 3 months after the install.

Is it possible that positioning it on the dash has caused the gauge to fail? Any suggestions would be helpful.

The SPA guys have given me a RMA number.

Regards

I'm not sure, but mine has developed the exact same fault. The gauge itself works flawlessly (in the daylight ;)). The only time the oil temp read negative was on extremely cold days this winter.

I first noticed it when the backlight started to flicker. The one half failed and finally the whole lot in a few days. Haven't got round to arranging an RMA yet.

The back of the gauge has a Molex connector. This provides power, sender signal wires and the menu button. I doubt a dodgy connector would cause the backlight problem, but a loose wire may cause invalid readings from the senders.

I installed my gauge on my A-pillar, but I can't see how the location would cause the failure.

As I say, the only problem with mine is the backlight.

Stefan

BTW, do you have any contact details to arrange an RMA? - I don't have any details with me at work.

Stefan

Hi

I bought mine from the states. Do you need a poc for the US people?

The problem is exactly as you described. First the rhs leds stopped working and then the entire backlight failed.

Regards

It's OK, I've been in touch with SPA design in England. Tony Taylor from SPA has just mailed me back to say that I should send it to them for repair under warranty.

Stefan

Mine's gone back to SPA for replacement. The LHS lights started flickering then went dead after a couple of weeks - the guage had been in place for about six months up til then.
I did have a couple of problems with the oil temp reading going -ve. I tracked it down to the rubber covered connection near the sensor - it just needed some WD40 and pushing on tighter.

Nick

You are right about the -ve readings. I also noticed that if you disconnect and reconnect the sensor wire the readings stablise.

I will try some contact cleaner.

Thanks you for the info.