Multi function display won’t change

[Ritchie]

Hi guys,

The computer that displays the outside temp, mpg and all that stuff won’t change when I press the button on the end of the stalk.

It is on outside temperature all the time. Does anybody know where to look for the fault?

I was thinking the button on the stalk wasn’t working properly and I would need a new stalk? Or is it likely to be the computer itself that isn’t working properly?

Any help would be appreciated
Thanks,
Ritchie

[mjb]

D8 or D9?

[Ritchie]

Hi there,

It's a D8 ... 1997 1.9D executive.

[mjb]

Take off the upper steering column cover (2 torx screws at the front of the bottom cover)
Take off the bottom steering column cover (1 torx screw at the back of the bottom cover)
Pull the plug out of the wiper stalk (there's a clip in the middle at the top)
Note the blue wire to the top left corner, and the yellow/green striped on 3 from the left at the bottom.
Unscrew the 2 smaller torx screws holding the stalk in and pull the stalk out
Remember those 2 wires? They're opposite corners of a block of 6 connectors. Shove a multimeter/continuity tester over them and press the button. If there's no link then you need a new stalk.

If that's not the case, then lever out the trip computer. One of the 5 wires in the bottom half of the connector (pin 10 maybe) should be connected to that blue wire at the corner of the stalk connector. Check continuity.

[Ritchie]

Thanks for the reply mjb. Very helpful!

I will have a go at the weekend and see what’s what

[jameslxdt]

1.9td wont have a trip computer, as3 vp20 has no control of fueling, it can only adjust injection angle, as a result there is no fuel consumption signal for the trip

[Ritchie]

Hmm… I take it miles covered and all the rest of it should be displaying still though? Or am I only ever going to get outside air temp?

The button is on the stalk, it must be there for a reason.

[steve_earwig]

Umm, did it ever work? My D8 just has outside temp, the button on the stalk appears to be a dummy.

[mjb]

ahhh from the tone of the question i presumed that it once was working and now has stopped...

If the wiper stalk has a pair of arrows on the button at the end, then it's a trip computer stalk else it's just a plastic filler and not actually a button. The presence of the stalk is NOT an indication that the car has the wiring necessary for the trip computer, and if the ECU doesn't output the correct VAN bus data (I believe only the Bosch Motronic ECUs do this), then retro-fitting a computer will be impossible.

[Ritchie]

I guess it’s a pretend button then. I’ll check for the 2 arrows later when I get back to the car.

I just noticed it in the user manual and thought I’d have a go. I’ve not had the car long so I’m still getting to know what’s what

[mjb]

If it just wobbles about on top, it's a pretend button. If it sinks all the way in like the horn then it's real

[Ritchie]

Just had a look. Looks like a pretend one