Dash Flickering When Foot On Brake

[SlothBurger]

Hi.

My 2019 T6 Kombi is flickering all the dash lights when foot on the brake at stop lights/junctions. It's only noticeable at night. Seems to be dimming/brightening the whole dash randomly.

Is this known problem & is there a fix for it?

 

[Robert]

Do you mean dash as a Instrument Cluster?
Is it the backlight("linked" with the side lights) or actual indication LEDs?

 

[SlothBurger]

It's all the back lights including the instrument cluster dials and the back lights for the knobs for AC/heating and even the automatic gear knob lights. Even the radio/display is dimming/brightening. It's not flickering in-sync with the indicators blinking. Just seems to be randomly flickering & seems to be only when foot on brake.

 

[SlothBurger]

Noticed also that the power socket is not charging also so perhaps some fuse blown for that with knock-on lighting "effects"?

 

[Howzat]

I've seen that when the battery is on it's way out. If you haven't fitted a new battery recently it might be worth nipping to Halfords to get a free battery test and if it is faulty then it's the perfect time to replace with winter looming.

 

[SlothBurger]

Thanks @Howzat I'll can probably do that myself as I have a multimeter. Is there any specific VW battery I should be getting as replacement if I do need to go that route?

 

[Sasquatch]

VW OE batteries are made by Banner, Yuasa and Varta.

I'd cut out the middle man and get a Varta of the same spec as the original and keep the change.

 

[Howzat]

Try this thread or that search. Loads of info which is why we're all here after all.

 

[Texxaco]

@Dav-Tec any thoughts pal?

 

[Robert]

It's all the back lights including the instrument cluster dials and the back lights for the knobs for AC/heating and even the automatic gear knob lights. Even the radio/display is dimming/brightening. It's not flickering in-sync with the indicators blinking. Just seems to be randomly flickering & seems to be only when foot on brake.

It sounds like relay (J602) contacts are oxidised or it isn't sitting correctly in the socket.
When you switch your side lights ON/OFF you should hear clicking under the dash. Locate this relay and get it checked.

Additionally you could check the dial(E20) for the backlight brightness adjustment and the fuse(SD4 for RHD or SF2 if you're LHD).

 

[SlothBurger]

It sounds like relay (J602) contacts are oxidised or it isn't sitting correctly in the socket.
When you switch your side lights ON/OFF you should hear clicking under the dash. Locate this relay and get it checked.

Additionally you could check the dial(E20) for the backlight brightness adjustment and the fuse(SD4 for RHD or SF2 if you're LHD).
View attachment 261467

Are the 12v socket fuses under the passenger seat in a 2019 Kombi? I have the arrangement in the attached photo under the passenger seat. The centre console sectionnis also different in mine - it has a drinks holder so doesn't come out like in the diagrams here but I'm presuming the fuse box is behind those centre sections on RHD Kombi?

 

[Robert]

The centre console sectionnis also different ...

Different to what?
Cigarette lighter is connected to 15A fuse SC49.

 

[SlothBurger]

Different to what?.
Cigarette lighter is connected to 15A fuse SC49.

Can confirm it is C49 from the RHD diagram from here -> Fuse Box Diagram Volkswagen Transporter (T6; 2016-2019)

What I mean by different is that the panels are different in my kombi than the diagrams I have seen here. I have a bottle storage compartment and there is no recessed slot to pull it out. When I open it the two clips inside the compartment get pushed together and it pulls out to release the bottle compartment. The fuse panel is behind that. 15 amp fuse changed out and that fixed the cigarette lighter socket. I will need to wait until darkness to see if that has any effect on the flickering lights in the dash.

 

[SlothBurger]

The flickering has disappeared now too. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I have no idea why a fuse blown would cause the whole dash lights to flicker but swapping the cigarette lighter fuse seems to have made it go away.