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QT500 Speedo Problem

Hi,

Im sure we have all heard of it, the dreaded speedo problem on the QT500.

It happened to me, all of a sudden, the dials just froze in a certain position and never worked again.

So I took it to the garage but they neither could get the speedo working again. All we managed to discover was that reconnecting the battery would reset the speedo (and all the clock and radio as well).

I had a think about this, went on the peugeot 106 owners club site where the same problem had been reported. It turns out that it is a feature built into the dashboard, to preserve the conditions of a supposed engine problem. The dials freeze on the conditions where the problem supposedly occurs. We know that we don't have problems, it just stops working when you switch the engine off.

I then thought about ways around it, about getting effectively a battery kill switch that could be operated from inside the car, to reset the battery before every trip to get the speedo working. But again, the clock and radio would lose all their settings.

I then thought about a switch capable of killing power to just the dash. This seemed like the best solution, seen as there are no other solutions I could find.

I went about getting to the dash. To do so, you have to first remove the plastic ring around the gear stick. Unscrew the two screws under there. Then unscrew the two screws in front of the radio. Lift this panel up and slide your fingers between it to unclip the three switches (heater, hazards and wipers). They have clip on terminals.

After this, you need to remove the next panel. To do this, the radio has to come out. Again, a nightmare. Once out, take off the second panel and you can get to the dash. There are more screws here, unscrew everything and the dash comes out. Behind it are two terminals plugged into it. Remove both, there should be a yellow and a black one.

Now on the black terminal, there should be a white wire that has the numbers "51a" on it. This is the culprit wire. Cut this in the middle and take two wires off it. These wires will go to a switch.

Put everything back and it should be fixed. The switch should go as follows: Always on until the dash freezes. At this point, turn it off then turn it back on again. When it turns back on again, the dials go back to their zero positions and the speedo will work.

I am thinking of getting a key switch or a push to close switch.

I hope that people will now be able to fix ths annoying problem.

Jordan

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Permalink Reply by thomas godfrey on October 23, 2011 at 10:58

good idea roger will give the reg cooling some thought no cunninghams was the dearest best was multiplant who have taken over arclo

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Permalink Reply by Roger on April 28, 2012 at 17:17

This is to update thread on Fun Extr'm 500 speedo problems.

I am now convinced the problem is caused by over voltage from voltage regulator. The voltage regulators almost certainly fail due to over heating. The single phase alternator on Lombardini LGW 523 mpi can kick out over 400watts at 30amps, that is at the limit of motor cycle single phase solid state voltage regulators. most motor cycle alternators are smaller.

After two regulator failures I am going to try reg/rect RR451 from Electrexworld.co.uk. This is normally for bikes: Cagiva - 750/900 Elefant Moto Guzzi - 1000 Daytona/Quota, 1100 California/Sport

These bikes along with some Ducati seem to have the biggest single phase alternators going. I am going to mount it outside the engine compartment since cooling is vital, probably behind the number plate.

I am also going to fit a battery status monitor, which is basically a voltmeter which changes colour or flashes dependant on voltage. Small with no moving parts, looks perfect for checking battery charge state and knowing if voltage regulator ok. Available from: www.aoservices.co.uk.

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Permalink Reply by thomas godfrey on April 29, 2012 at 12:44

Roger said:

This is to update thread on Fun Extr'm 500 speedo problems.

I am now convinced the problem is caused by over voltage from voltage regulator. The voltage regulators almost certainly fail due to over heating. The single phase alternator on Lombardini LGW 523 mpi can kick out over 400watts at 30amps, that is at the limit of motor cycle single phase solid state voltage regulators. most motor cycle alternators are smaller.

After two regulator failures I am going to try reg/rect RR451 from Electrexworld.co.uk. This is normally for bikes: Cagiva - 750/900 Elefant Moto Guzzi - 1000 Daytona/Quota, 1100 California/Sport

These bikes along with some Ducati seem to have the biggest single phase alternators going. I am going to mount it outside the engine compartment since cooling is vital, probably behind the number plate.

I am also going to fit a battery status monitor, which is basically a voltmeter which changes colour or flashes dependant on voltage. Small with no moving parts, looks perfect for checking battery charge state and knowing if voltage regulator ok. Available from: www.aoservices.co.uk.

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Permalink Reply by thomas godfrey on April 29, 2012 at 12:48

thomas godfrey said:sorry to hear about your second failure with the standard reg i did fit mine to a finned ally heat sink before mounting on the gearbox stud did look at other makes of reg but do not have the electrical expertise to fit them will be interested in your findings cheers tom

Roger said:

This is to update thread on Fun Extr'm 500 speedo problems.

I am now convinced the problem is caused by over voltage from voltage regulator. The voltage regulators almost certainly fail due to over heating. The single phase alternator on Lombardini LGW 523 mpi can kick out over 400watts at 30amps, that is at the limit of motor cycle single phase solid state voltage regulators. most motor cycle alternators are smaller.

After two regulator failures I am going to try reg/rect RR451 from Electrexworld.co.uk. This is normally for bikes: Cagiva - 750/900 Elefant Moto Guzzi - 1000 Daytona/Quota, 1100 California/Sport

These bikes along with some Ducati seem to have the biggest single phase alternators going. I am going to mount it outside the engine compartment since cooling is vital, probably behind the number plate.

I am also going to fit a battery status monitor, which is basically a voltmeter which changes colour or flashes dependant on voltage. Small with no moving parts, looks perfect for checking battery charge state and knowing if voltage regulator ok. Available from: www.aoservices.co.uk.