[richardsnow]

Very pleased with our new 2015 ducato 2.3 but I am having difficulty actually seeing the instruments (particularly the speedo) as the new model's cowls seems to create almost total shade! It is impossible to make our the KPH as those letters are smaller.

I thought that with the headlights on (there are no driving side lights now) that it would illuminate it all a bit better but no, that too is very dim although working.

Can anyone help with the following

Is it possible to increase the brightness of the bulbs?
Is it possible to wire the instrument cluster to illuminate all the time (maybe connected to the day time running lights?

 

[Blizzard]

Richard,

I can't help with the wiring issues, however our 2012 has exactly the same problem, with the KPH showing in red and virtually unreadable in bright sun. The MPH figures are easily readable in the same conditions, which if I increased the brightness of the bulbs would leave the MPH too bright during the night.

If stationary, I can just about make the KPH out if I really focus on them, which doesn't solve the problem when travelling at speed in French or Italian sunshine.

I printed out an easy to read converter, laminated and stuck near the speedo, which solves the problem for me.

 

[Blizzard]

Image..

 

[richardsnow]

Not a bad idea but still not ideal is it? Have you or anyone else thought about fixing a strip of led lighting within the cowls?

 

[Dixi]

I have exactly the same problem on my 2015 model and thought an LED would illuminate it better during daylight hours but I have not got a clue how to go about it I did not have a problem on my 2010 model but the speedo was a lot bigger and set at a different angle

John

 

[Spacerunner]

Its the reason that many of us use the KPH read out of our satnavs.

 

[Dixi]

I am reading the MPH on my sat nav to get round the problem at the moment but it is a bad deseign the dial is to small and sits at the wrong angle

john

 

[mgdavid]

Absolutely no problem with my 2014 Ducato but as it's LHD and German-sourced maybe details are different?

http://s369.photobucket.com/user/mgdavid/media/DSC03487.jpg.html

Certainly I cannot understand the OP's query about changing the brightness of the cluster lighting - unless UK models don't have the controls I have?

http://s369.photobucket.com/user/mgdavid/media/DSC03488.jpg.html
http://s369.photobucket.com/user/mgdavid/media/DSC03490.jpg.html

 

[Landyman]

Our 2015 Carthago on a Ducato base is also German and LHD but it's difficult to read the speedo in sunlight and almost impossible with sun glasses on.
I've always used the Garmin in preference and have it mounted so that it is much easier to see and closer to line of sight than looking down into the darkness of the instrument panel.
I can also switch it between MPH or KPH as required and of course it is more accurate.

Richard.

 

[MoocherMcGee]

I can't see the top half of my speedo due to the cowl, on our 2015 Hymer Fiat. I can only see it if I adjust the seat to an undrivable position, being 6' 3" doesn't help I suppose, but it's also difficult to read the speedo due to bad lighting.
Not a happy bunny.

 

[Tezmcd]

I also struggle to read the speedo in most conditions other than night time with the headlights on - its completely useless


I have taken to having my Satnav on wherever I go as I can see my speed on that


On motorways I can manage as 60mph is when the needle is pointing exactly upwards - that's about the best I have managed

 

[Dixi]

I was beginning to think it was just me that had this problem its not very clever is it why on earth do designers do these things surely they must test whether or not you can see and read the dials when they build or modify them its not very good is it

john

 

[Landyman]

I started to think it must be just me that had problems but it seems that it is a common problem.

It's not good is it?

An extremely popular vehicle where the speed indicator, a legal requirement everywhere, can't be clearly seen by a large number of drivers.
Would that be a good defence in a court of law....I think not.

Surely Fiat must be aware or don't they ever test drive there own vehicles. As far as I can see it is purely down to poor design.

Our two previous Ducato's were OK apart from the fact that the KPH scale was dark red on a black background. Totally useless!

When I get nicked by an over zealous gendarme (saw two lurking with tiny speed guns just inside 50KPH limits last week) how should I plead?

Richard.

 

[Mrplodd]

Did they stop you at the time?? How far into the limit were you came to a halt??

You could try argueing that as they were only X metres inside the limit, and the stopping distance at 50KPH is Y metres the fact that you were able to stop in plenty? of time shows that they must have recorded your speed whilst you were OUTSIDE the 50Kph limit, otherwise you would not have been able to stop in time given the available space !! So offence not proved !!!


What I am trying to say is that if they were THAT close to limit sign how could they record your speed whilst you were INSIDE the limit and STILL have time to stop you safely

O)nly you know the distances involved but it might be worth a punt. In the UK any speed device must give a continuous reading of about 4 seconds BEFORE it can be used as evidence (to prove it wasnt a false reading) No idea if the French work on the same principle. Worth asking ??

 

[homenaway]

Hi,

We'll be getting a new van soon (hopefully) based on the new Ducato but presently touring Italy I don't think they actually look at their speedos :surprise:

There are speed cameras everywhere in the villages, sometimes three within a few hundred metres but we have ended up with queues of traffic behind us as we drive around trying to keep within the limits, where we can work out what it is! Often there is a 30 sign at every speed hump but no 50 sign between them.

In fact I'm surprised there are any motorists around as they should all have used up their points. :smile2:

I also tend to use the satnav speed indications and keep just below but the limits aren't always correct.

It will be interesting to see how we get on with the new van's speedo.

Steve

 

[bob-in-dav]

The instrument panel lighting is adjustable and has 8 setting levels.

To the left of the "mode " button are four arrowed buttons - the two nearest the steering column adjust the headlight level and have symbols relating to this - the two plain arrowed buttons immediately to the left of the mode button are panel light adjustments - ^ for brighter and v for dimmer.

Not actually tried it on mine but that's what it says in the manual!!!

Perhaps you could confirm if this works and increases the lighting level to an acceptable standard.

Cheers - Bob

 

[mgdavid]

The instrument panel lighting is adjustable and has 8 setting levels.

To the left of the "mode " button are four arrowed buttons - the two nearest the steering column adjust the headlight level and have symbols relating to this - the two plain arrowed buttons immediately to the left of the mode button are panel light adjustments - ^ for brighter and v for dimmer.

Not actually tried it on mine but that's what it says in the manual!!!

Perhaps you could confirm if this works and increases the lighting level to an acceptable standard.

Cheers - Bob

as already mentioned in post #8 ...

 

[emjaiuk]

as already mentioned in post #8 ...

Your photo shows the same controls as my 2008. The arrows control the the headlight angle. Are you saying they control the panel brightness as well? If so how do you switch between headlight angle abd panel brightness?

Malcolm

 

[mgdavid]

Your photo shows the same controls as my 2008. The arrows control the the headlight angle. Are you saying they control the panel brightness as well? If so how do you switch between headlight angle abd panel brightness?

Malcolm

Yes (at least on my model), RTFM p.25 and p.113

With sidelights on it adjusts the lighting intensity, with headlights on it adjusts the beam height.

 

[emjaiuk]

Yes (at least on my model), RTFM p.25 and p.113

With sidelights on it adjusts the lighting intensity, with headlights on it adjusts the beam height.

I never knew that, I'll try that tonight

Malcolm