R129 Instrument Cluster

[Top Cat 500]

I cant find a thread with a similar problem, so has anyone ideas about this one?

Instrument cluster suddenly failed except for clock and dash lights
Fuse 10 blown "Instrument cluster"
Checked OBD codes (the were none a few weeks ago) - it returned
P1741
CAN signal from ETC
Checked MB Fault code manual (1999 R129 5.0, 113 engine)
'CAN signal failure from ETC or Instrument cluster faulty'
which was not a lot of help!

CAN - I think this is the main data bus
ETC - I think this is Electronic Transmission Control

To work out which it was (in case the instrument cluster fault was simply the blown fuse) I did the following:

Cleared the fault code
Restarted without the fuse - rescanned and the code did not appear, so the fault was not the blown fuse
Replaced fuse, everything appeared to work, rescanned and code did not reappear
Started test drive, put foot on brake pedal, then removed it, and the fuse blew and the code reappeared.

What should I look at now?

 

[television]

I am lost on this one, could it be the brake lamp switch doing this, its all to do with speed signals


If no more replies I will look and see what is connected to all this later

 

[davidsl500]

The brake light switch is a known problem area on R129 for lots of silly niggles. As the fuse blew when you applied and released the brakes, I would start with disconnecting the brake light switch on the brake pedal in case you have a short on it.

 

[Top Cat 500]

Thanks!

Thanks for your speedy replies, and at least its good to hear I'm not being a complete numpty!

I have since discovered that ETC stands for Engine Coolant Temperature, so I could have a faulty sensor - which sounds a lot cheaper than transmission! It would also explain why the radiator fans came on when I turned the ignition on, which I did not mention in my post above.

But I will check out that brake pedal switch as well, as it seems to be a known issue, and seemed to be related (though it could have been co-incidence).

Many thanks