What are the solutions for a black screen on the dashboard while driving?
4 Answers
It constitutes a traffic violation for not driving in the designated lane, resulting in a fine and 2 penalty points. According to Article 49 of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, motor vehicles are not allowed to make U-turns on pedestrian crossings at intersections.
Last week I was really nervous when this happened, but later found out it was mostly a blown fuse. Check under the driver's seat for the fuse box, flip to the dashboard fuse page in the manual, and try replacing it with the same spec using the clip. If that doesn't work, inspect the battery terminals. Once, mine had green oxidation causing poor contact. But be sure to disconnect the negative terminal first, sand it down, and retighten. If the screen stays black, consider wiring harness issues—the connectors under the trunk sill can get damp; pull them apart to check for corrosion. Lastly, I've seen cases where the entire instrument cluster was replaced, but that requires professional equipment for matching. I'd suggest spending a few bucks to rule out the simpler possibilities first.
I habitually give the dashboard top a few taps—don’t laugh! I’ve actually fixed a poor contact issue this way before. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to get serious. Check the battery voltage with a multimeter—if it’s below 13.5 volts after starting the engine, the alternator is the problem. Look in the fuse box for a 15-amp mini fuse labeled GAUGE or CLUSTER, pull it out, and check against light to see if it’s blown. I remember helping a neighbor fix their car three years ago and discovering a rear window leak that soaked the wiring harness connectors under the carpet—the dashboard was flickering then, too. Another possibility is accidentally triggering night mode; try adjusting the instrument brightness knob on the left stalk of the steering wheel.
When the dashboard goes completely black but the car can still start, my first guess is always the fuse. Use needle-nose pliers to pull out the corresponding fuse for the dashboard and check it. It's good to keep spare fuses of various amperages in the car. Recently, I discovered a new issue: a faulty start button in modern cars can cause the dashboard to lose power—try pressing it a few times repeatedly. Once at a repair shop, I saw a mechanic disassemble the dashboard, and a burnt voltage regulator module the size of a fingernail was causing the black screen. If you're repairing it yourself, prepare a T20 Torx screwdriver, as many car dashboard frames are held by just two screws. Those with strong DIY skills can remove the dashboard to check the connectors at the back, but remember to disconnect the battery first.
