combination meter repair - DIY

I replaced a capacitor on the back of the circuit board as per YouTube videos and the problem went away. The soldering was easier by far than taking the dash apart. Took me 2 days total.

 

For the vast number of people, that one 16 v 100 uF cap is the problem causing the dash to go dark. As others posted here, Digikey has a better cap (16 v 220 uF that fits exactly.) Follow Youtube people on both the dash break down/assembly and cap repair.

 

You need to buy the high temperature caps or they'll fail again and you'll be doing this all over again. The original specs got you 20 years of service. Jacking up the capacity isn't as important as the environment that cap has to tolerate; being inside the car in the summer heat; which probably forced the original failure.

YMMV

 

Just did my first today using one from the "Lot of 10 Nichicon 25UT220 / UVZ1E221MPD 220uf @ 25V Hi Temp Radial Capacitor" from shopjimmy. I was debating ordering some other with 5,000 hr life rating, though had these already around. If you wanna look at my situation, I made a YT video here.

Wondering if had anything to do with the 2004 going into Ready mode after two taps of the Power button sometimes? Since changing, goes right into Ready mode with one press of the Power button.

 

I've never had to replace a 105C rated cap. That's what I use for replacements.

 

Ditto. The digikey cap I bought was rated for 105C so doubt the dash will ever get that hot -

Since they did not have the100 uF (sold out) I got the 220 uF. I was not jacking up the Farad but just in a hurry and not willing to wait weeks for a resupply - Not an issue since it is about the same size and that in no way changes the circuit performance.