I've tried searching but can't find anything on here, does anyone know of a way to fix the MFD (I think thats the right name - multi function display) on the insrument cluster. Mine gets faint after driving for a around 1/2 hour, and gets worse the longer its driven (seems the hotter it gets the worse it gets).

Photos attached to show the problem, I've not tried taking it apart as yet.

Its the bit of the display that shows the Average MPG and various messages/service reminder etc. I think this is a Mid line display, on a 2001 2.3 petrol Ford if it makes any difference?


 

I'll bet this is a dodgy ribbon cable issue. I've had this problem on numerous motor cars I've owned in the past, especially the Saab. The ribbon cable sort of lifts off the main PCB. Some people say to try and iron it back on but that never really works in the long term. The other better option is to put some foam strip over the ribbon then use that to compress the ribbon cable onto the PCB when you reassemble the unit.

There are companies out there that specialise in repairing dashboard displays like this by post. Some of them are relatively inexpensive. Possibly you could contact a few of those companies through eBay (often they are people at home running a little side hustle) and see if they think they could tackle it.

The one on my Alhamb goes a little bit faded when it's hot, but I've decided just to leave it like that because it's probably too much hassle to fix.

However, the real question here is of course... 59.7mpg in a 2001 petrol? HOW?! He he

That was due to it being Towed with the engine running after the clutch hose incident sadly. I've not found a way to actually make it run at that otherwise! It did get as high as 64mpg at one point! Under normal conditions the best I've got it showing is 36.4mpg (though bear in mind its a gas conversion so isn't indicating real consumption anyway, only what the petrol ECU thinks is being used based on injector timings).

I did have to steer a mk4 Golf which was being towed with the same display for the same journey (owner picked a fight with a traffic island trying to dodge some wildlife and smashed a hole in his sump in the process so couldn't run the engine as it would have no oil) which displayed 200.0 mpg afterwards!

BBA Reman (website) actually local to me, there phone number is 01634 687222

Its internal to the LED matrix that's failing. You can find the replacement screen reasonably easily but unless you are skilled with soldering then it's not something you want to undertake yourself.

I replaced mine several years ago (albeit the full height one) and as someone who classes themselves as competent with soldering, it's not something I was super comfortable doing as its a lot of pins in close proximity to other components so you have to watch heat build up.

It sounds very fiddly and I bet the LCD screen costs a pretty penny too... probably just one of those irritating little things to live with?

No the screens are pennies. If you look at this example, each one of those pins needs to be desoldered, and then a new one soldered in without heating up the board whilst you do it. It's not expensive but it is difficult unless you are competent in soldering and it's certainly fiddly!

I've done stuff like this and yes it is bloody fiddly
especially without the specialised kit.
It looks to me the backlight or its driver circuit is breaking down
or it's possibly a dry joint.
If the display is as cheap as Mirez says, it may be worth a shot at repair.

One snag I've found with stuff like this on cars and bikes is the manual may give you
wiring up the main connector of an assembly, but finding detailed internal info on the internals is next to impossible.

Nowadays we're all told to swap out stuff not take it apart and fix it and I've spent/wasted too much time reverse engineering unobtainium kit with varying degrees of success.

A neighbour had a dodgy temp gauge on his 2009 scooter and I found you cant buy/fit a new gauge but have to buy a new speedo assembly for £335 which of course was no longer available.

 
 

A quick google found this link to a guys attempt to fix a VW van lcd ribbon
with good but not perfect results.
TBH I just looked at the pics not text but it gives an idea of the process
I noted he used a pretty standard soldering iron tip and no smd kit which may have given
better results



https://www.instructables.com/How-to-remove-and-re-attach-LCD-Ribbon-from-a-PCB-/

Thanks all, I will have a further look into it. I'm guessing that swapping the cluster isn't as simple as just removing the old one and putting a new matching one in its place (is the mileage stored on the cluster, or elsewhere? Other pitfalls like some VW models I know you have to use VAG-Tacho with to code them to the immobiliser as its linked in to some degree as well?)

Think I'm right in saying if you have your own unit repaired it's just plug & play

Sharan and Alhamhras the immobiliser is part of the cluster but the Galaxy used Ford's PATs system so you swap clusters around at will. The mileage is stored all over the car but only what the cluster 'knows' will be displayed.

There is some basic coding like pad wear sensors, screenwash low - basic stuff but it's easily coded with vcds.