Guest Flotg Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 My 1990 Reatta with 77,000 miles has intermittent problems with instrument panel going totally black and then flashing back on. It appears to be random. It was doing it for awhile and then got I got the blackout and error message - car failed and it was the alternator. Was hoping that was all that was wrong. But after alternator was replaced, the random blackouts continued - sometimes for just a split second and sometimes for as long as a minute. Had to send cluster away for rebuild. The day after rebuilt cluster was installed, problem returned. Still a bad cluster? or should I be looking for some other cause? A side-note - had a rebuild of the cluster 10 years ago and it's been fine until now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 So just to clarify, you had the cluster rebuilt 10 years ago, and when you got it back from being rebuilt, you reinstalled it, and it still blacked out the day after?You also said had a rebuild of the cluster 10 years ago and it's been fine until now.. Does this mean you had the cluster rebuilt, then it worked fine until lately? Just need to clarify the timeline a bit. If you just started having problems with your rebuild now (10 years later) it's entirely possible that you might need another cluster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Flotg Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 I just had the cluster rebuilt. It was installed 2 days ago. The very next day the display went out and then back on again 4 times during a 5 mile trip.Ten years ago I had it rebuilt and it had been fine until this summer. This summer I started to have random IP blackouts, then had the blackout with error message caused by alternator failure. Replaced the alternator. Random blackouts continued. Had instrument cluster rebuilt. I still have random blackouts.Hope that's clearer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Yes, that's much clearer. Thanks! Who did your rebuild? Did they ask you what your problem was? Or did they just do a generic repair on it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mc_Reatta Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Do you have any other issues? I would think CPS or BCM failure would have other symptoms besides just the IP going black.Does your car go into diagnostics mode? Any codes? How confident are you in the rebuilder? May have gotten another defective one back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Flotg Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 I took it to the service station where I have had repairs for years. They removed it and sent it to the dealer to be rebuilt. I don't know who did the actual work, but can talk to the owner in the morning and find out. I live in NJ and things have been pretty much closed down because of hurricane Irene this weekend. I haven't been able to notify the service station owner that the problem continues. Thought I would post before that in case there was some other possible thing that should be looked at as a cause before having the cluster pulled for repair once again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Flotg Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 No other problem just the quick blackout and then comes back. Can stay for miles or flicker off again quickly. I see no pattern based on speed, etc. Great confidence in the service station and their choice of places usually, but can't say about this rebuilder. Willknow more tomorrow after I notify the station of the continued problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Flotg Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Marck, sorry I didn't answer all your questions. I explained thoroughly to the service station owner and he determined the cluster should be rebuilt. I relied on his choice of place to rebuild and to inform that place of just what was happening. Both my daughter and I have had our Reatta's repaired at this service station for years and they have been exceptionally reliable in diagnosing problems and making needed repairs. I'm sure they will stand behind this repair 100% - I just wanted to be sure sending the cluster back for another rebuild was the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 If getting the error message then it probably needs a rebuild. Particularly if the engine and A/C keep running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCReatta Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 The flickering in and out almost sounds like a ground to me.. I'm not an electronic wiz like some people here.. Padgett, Mc_Reatta? Is there a ground that could be checked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mc_Reatta Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 The first things that should be checked when strange electrical behavior is noticed it to check the battery connections and cables, and the power and ground junctions on the inside fender by the battery and the ground points on the radiator header and the rear of the engine.As we are all aware, the electronics in the Reatta require a stable source of power over 11 volts in order to function properly. Checking these areas for tight connections, dirt and corrosion will go a long way to eliminating some troubles and aid in tracking down defective components and wiring issues when they do arise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Flotg Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 to padgett: I'm not getting an error message - panel just goes black. Only time I got the error message was when the alternator failed.to NCReatta & Mc_Reatta: This was my thought - maybe some faulty electrical connection was involved, but wasn't sure just what items to check. Thanks, Mc_Reatta for the specifics. I am taking the car to be checked early tomorrow a.m. and will take your suggestion with me as a guide. Hope that's all it is. Although the recent rebuild is covered by a warranty, I still would be without the car if they had to remove the display to send out again. I will not drive with no display. Not sure it would even be legal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Could have them loan you a scan tool, it would display MPH & coolant temp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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