Removing CQ bargraphs help

[20vcqdriver]

To save me some time, has anyone ever removed the cq bargraph and diff lock section in the centre console. need to take mine out to re-calibrate the voltmeter as its 0.8v under reading at present. cheers all

[urquattr085]

Originally Posted by 20vcqdriver

To save me some time, has anyone ever removed the cq bargraph and diff lock section in the centre console. need to take mine out to re-calibrate the voltmeter as its 0.8v under reading at present. cheers all

If it's the same as the Ur........

Remove ashtray, gearknob, gearlever gaiter & surround (2 screws at the rear, 1 either side & 2 under ashtray).
Unplug electric window switches
Remove heater control levers, fan switch and fascia panel (look out for the lamp holder in the back
Remove the 2 screws at the top of the centre console

Pull out the lamp from cigarette lighter and remove connector from same.

You can then remove centre console and this will reveal 2 screws holding the difflock/bar graph panel.

I might have missed something along the way but that's the main of it.
Graph is adjusted via rheostat on circuit board.

Hope this helps

[moonwatcher]

Originally Posted by 20vcqdriver

To save me some time, has anyone ever removed the cq bargraph and diff lock section in the centre console. need to take mine out to re-calibrate the voltmeter as its 0.8v under reading at present. cheers all

I assume that you have a calibrated and in date voltmeter that you have used BUT 0.8 low is hardly relevant, the bargraph is only an indication not a scientific instrument, it's the same with oil temp indicator, the values are indicative.
Maybe it's your OCD

[20vcqdriver]

Originally Posted by moonwatcher

I assume that you have a calibrated and in date voltmeter that you have used BUT 0.8 low is hardly relevant, the bargraph is only an indication not a scientific instrument, it's the same with oil temp indicator, the values are indicative.
Maybe it's your OCD

Ha Ha, Yeah maybe but due to each segment of the bar graph being 0.5v its showing under 12V when the car has everything switched on that had me worried earlier in the year until I measured the actual voltage with a meter, So be good to get it accurate at least though that's a lot of work to get the bargraph section out...

[Hanuman]

As you may have noticed, the indication goes down with everything on. But for two reasons. one, the overall load on the system.
The other reason is more subtle. the gauge is an auxiliary, and not well protected electrically. so the supply to the gauge is also affected, adding some bias to the indication.
if you do take it out, check all the connections are good and clean, grounds are showing 0v (mine were .25v. doesn't sound much, but it was enough to bugger things up a bit)
The solder connections tend to be a bit crap, too

It's satisfying to have it indicating something sensible, but can be a bit time consuming. especially if you find some additional wiring gremlins to resolve, like old alarms, bad stereo upgrades, etc.