What is the reason for all the needles on the Lechi dashboard not moving?
3 Answers
It may be a problem with the instrument cluster assembly. Here is a related introduction to the Baojun Lechi: Introduction: The Baojun Lechi is a highly popular high-end compact car under SAIC-GM-Wuling, originally the Chevrolet AVEO, a global product developed by General Motors integrating global resources based on the GM Daewoo small car platform. Pros and Cons: The biggest advantages of the Baojun Lechi are its fuel efficiency; strong power; and cute, sporty appearance. The biggest disadvantages are its limited space and relatively high pricing. Expansion: The Chevrolet Lechi was renamed Baojun Lechi in August 2012 and is now one of the two major car series under Baojun Auto, alongside the Baojun 630.
Last time I drove my friend's Lechi, I encountered this situation which scared me into pulling over immediately. The needles going completely dead is most likely a power supply issue with the instrument cluster. The first thing to check should be the 15A instrument fuse under the steering wheel—use a flashlight to see if the fuse wire is broken. If the fuse is intact, it might be a loose instrument connector—the Lechi's connectors tend to work loose after prolonged vibration. Also, if the battery terminals are covered in green corrosion, it can cause a power cut; just sand them down. The worst-case scenario is a faulty instrument cluster assembly, which would require a diagnostic tool at an auto repair shop to test the circuits. Oh, and if the ignition switch has poor contact, you'll see the instrument lights flicker when turning the key—this can be fixed by repairing the lock cylinder.
This is a common issue with the Spark in our repair shop. Most of the time, it's a blown fuse. There are three power supply wires behind the dashboard: one is a constant power connection to the battery, one is controlled by the ignition switch, and there's a ground wire. Use a multimeter to check the voltage—if there's no power, it's either a blown fuse or a broken wire. Next, check the dashboard connector; if the blue connector is loose, the entire dashboard may malfunction. If the steering wheel clock spring is faulty, usually only the horn won't work, but if the ground wire is worn through, it can also affect the dashboard. Another less common reason: when the battery is critically low, the dashboard may go black, especially in vehicles with modified audio systems that tend to drain the battery. If all the gauges stop working, don't force the car to run—it's too dangerous without being able to see the temperature or fuel levels.
