2016,3500,fuel gauge flickering

[Petercanucker]

Intrament lense is cloudy just over the fuel gauge and gauge is flickering,help.

 

[Wiredawg]

This is what my 2017 FSM says:

Base and Premium Instrument Panel:
Gauges are illuminated by LEDs that are soldered onto the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) electronic circuit board. Cluster illumination is accomplished by dimmable LEDs soldered onto the IPC electronic circuit, which illuminate each of the gauges for visibility when the exterior lighting is turned ON. The gauges and LED units are not available for service replacement, and if damaged or inoperative, the entire IPC must be replaced.
​

Sorry for the bad news. If you know anyone in the electronics technical field, they may be able to desolder the affected LED and solder another one in. Otherwise, its a replacement.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Petercanucker]

This is what my 2017 FSM says:

Base and Premium Instrument Panel:
Gauges are illuminated by LEDs that are soldered onto the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) electronic circuit board. Cluster illumination is accomplished by dimmable LEDs soldered onto the IPC electronic circuit, which illuminate each of the gauges for visibility when the exterior lighting is turned ON. The gauges and LED units are not available for service replacement, and if damaged or inoperative, the entire IPC must be replaced.
​

Sorry for the bad news. If you know anyone in the electronics technical field, they may be able to desolder the affected LED and solder another one in. Otherwise, its a replacement.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Petercanucker]

Thanks Ron,is there a fire hazard?

 

[Wiredawg]

No fire hazzard... most likely IMHO LED is quitting on you, hence the flicker. Just might become a distractor, especially at night.

 

[TFucili]

No twist-lock bulbs on a PCB like the old days

 

[Wiredawg]

LEDs are supposed to last longer than incandescent bulbs, until they don't. Soldered LEDs in the instrument cluster is likely industry standard, but would have been easy to have dimmable LED bulbs.

I replaced all incandescent bulbs in my 78 Lil Red Express Truck, brighter with less heat.

If you're technically inclined, you could remove the dash cluster to check for bad solder. I'm type A, and pretty good with electrical stuff.

Anyhoo, I'm in TX, I work for food and beer if you want to make a run.

Cheers, Ron

 

[R.Taylor]

Best bet would be to pick one up on eBay if you want the easy route. Replacing the surface mount soldered on LED could be troublesome for the inexperienced. Need special soldering tools and finding a replacement LED may prove tough. You can also buy replacement gauge cluster clear overlay (lens) from Mopar if it's looking worse for wear too.

 

[R.Taylor]

No twist-lock bulbs on a PCB like the old days

I was very fond the "No Battery" motorcycle days myself....

 

[Wiredawg]

Just did a quick Google and see they're $610 to $620. May I suggest you stick your phone up in the area behind where the fuel guage is, snap a pic, and post it. Lets size it up before we throw in the towel, or get a new one and be done.

I'm happy to help from afar if I can. Do you have another vehicle you can drive if this one is down a week or two?

Cheers, Ron