Tripminder backlight burned out?

[kellen302]

I just dug into my Tripminder to clean the contacts (need to do it again because the Set button still isn't responding). And I noticed this burned looking spot on the right edge of the display, is this the backlighting element? My backlight comes on briefly on startup and then it goes back ton what I presume is the dim night mode because it is very difficult to read in daylight and there is no change with headlights on/off.

Thanks!

[gadget73]

That is the getter flashing from when they make the VFD. its some witch's brew of metals that absorb oxygen and other gasses that might be trapped inside the thing during production.

There is a bright and dim mode that comes on when the dash lights are powered. If yours is in dim mode when the lights aren't on, either there is some small amount of voltage leaking through the headlight switch, or something is flaky inside the unit. Hard to say but I'd bet on leaky caps if its something internal to the unit.


use a strip of paper with the contact cleaner (or rubbing alcohol works fine) and stuff it under the springy bit. Push down on the button and pull the paper out. Do that until you don't see any more black streaks on the paper.

[kellen302]

Late update on this one, turns out my automatic headlight sensor was covered by the vinyl dash pad the PO had installed (full wrap type). So when I was driving during the day the headlights were still on, and the Tripminder was in Dim Mode. It functions fine with the headlights actually turned off.

[gadget73]

that'll do it.