Dim instrument gauge dash lights

[Rnicfingrp]

The instrument/gauge lights on my 2000 38' Dutch Star (Spartan chassis) are really dim (difficult to see gauges at dusk and minimal when totally dark) and when I rotate the main headlight switch to dim or brighten, it doesn't help much. The headlight switch rheostat does dim/brighten just a little. I have pulled the dash cover and looked inside and I can't find any 'bulbs' or the like to see if any are burned out. I have also checked for any loose ground connections and couldn't find anything loose. Could the headlight switch rheostat be bad? It turns the headlights on and off just fine.

Rnicfingrp
2000 Dutch Star
'98 Jeep Wrangler Toad

[Norm4015]

Many of the 2000 Dutch Stars on a Spartan chassis had the dim dash lights problem and some also had an oil pressure guage that did not work on cold start up. The problem was a defective Dumux module. (I know I spelled it wrong) Actually, it was programmed wrong and had to be replaced. Since yours is dim I'm sure it was not replaced by Spartan back when they were replacing them free.

Pop the cover off of the dash over the guages and lights. You will see a black module that all the guages and lights plug into and that is the part that needs to be replaced. The only place where you can get it is Spartan (if they still stock them) and the part is very expensive. There is no other way to brighten the lights.

[Rnicfingrp]

Thank you sir,

Rnicfingrp

[wa8yxm]

Not only can there be issues.. but if that chassis is older the bulbs, as they age, the glass "Darkens" as metal from the filiment burns off and is deposited on the inside of the globe.. This reduces light output and increases heat output.

[Romeo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm4015 Many of the 2000 Dutch Stars on a Spartan chassis had the dim dash lights problem and some also had an oil pressure guage that did not work on cold start up. The problem was a defective Dumux module. (I know I spelled it wrong) Actually, it was programmed wrong and had to be replaced. Since yours is dim I'm sure it was not replaced by Spartan back when they were replacing them free. Pop the cover off of the dash over the guages and lights. You will see a black module that all the guages and lights plug into and that is the part that needs to be replaced. The only place where you can get it is Spartan (if they still stock them) and the part is very expensive. There is no other way to brighten the lights.

This is the very same problem that has been bugging me. First thng Monday I will be calling Spartan.

Thanks for posting the question and the answer.

I wish you had defined "very expensive".

[Romeo]

Well I called Spartan and found that they still have the Demux module in stock at $327.

I then talked to the recall dept and was told that they didnt know of any recall on the Demux module. They did tell me that they would keep looking and let me know if they found any thing about a recall type of replacement.

They did tell me how to check to see if it is a Demux problem and will send me a drawing of what Demux pins to check for a varying voltage. If the voltage varies then the Demux is defective. The varying voltage would indicate that the headlight switch was working by changing the voltage. The pin to check is marked "Dimmer Light Input" on the "Chassis Input" connection". There should be a marking of SP009 marking the connection or the pin, but will know more when I receive the drawing.

We'll see...

[Norm4015]

There were two problems with the Dumux module in 2000 Dutch Stars (and possibly other motorhomes). Once problem was when the engine was started cold the oil pressure would peg for a second and then drop to zero. The actual oil pressure was OK but the gauge showed zero. After the engine ran a few minutes the guage would register the correct oil pressure.

The other problem was dim lighting for the dash. I was much involved with both problems and was among the first the report the problems to Newmar and Spartan. After a lot of phone calls Spartan admitted it was their problem and they were working on a solution. This was in September 1999.

In June 2000 I attended the Newmar International Rally in Gillette, Wyoming and Spartan had a booth. I stopped to see if they had a fix and the tech told me to write down my name and site number and they would replace the module. I was about 40th on the list and they ran out of modules, but got to me before the rally ended. They had two techs that did nothing but replace those modules during the rally.

There was never a "recall", but anyone who complained got a new module and I talked to many owners who got new modules. Maybe, just maybe - Spartan can revert back ten years and give you a new Dumux module like they were doing in 2000 and 2001.

Good luck.