Cracked LED Odometer

[InThinAir]

On my 2003 on a cold morning a few weeks back I think I developed a crack in the small LED Odometer. When it is cold out there is a bright orange line that runs across the display right above the Service and 4x4 indicator. When it is warm it is not there.



I am wondering is this a part I can replace myself by pulling the face plate and then remove the clear plastic over the guages? I am wondering if this is something I can just live with, it looks terrible tho!



---Doug

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I've never liked digi odometers. It's much more interesting watch the miles literally "roll" along on a classic odometer

 

[InThinAir]

Yes, on my 96 I always liked playing numbers games with my wife, like waiting to see the number "123,456. 7" or like "123,321" Now with the my 01 I have missed all that fun, at 170k!

---Doug

 

[abrankod]

The odometer display is a Vacuum Fluorescent Display. I find that in cold weather, the alternator's increased voltage output (to keep the batteries correctly charged) causes the electron emitting filaments (of which there are several crossing left to right across the display) to show up more than normal. This is a normal mode of operation of a VFD. The VFD is soldered on to the board of the instrument panel cluster. If you have somehow broken the thin piece of dark green plastic over the VFD (improves contrast,) you can replace that with a piece of dark window tint. It will decrease contrast slightly compared to the green plastic, but it will obscure the unlit phosphor elements of the display.

 

[InThinAir]

Yes, I have noticed the increase in the filaments showing while cold. Do you think that I could get a replacement green plastic cover? Or should I just somehow try to repair it? Maybe some clear cement that hold at least hold the crack a little more closed?

---Doug