Subaru WRX 2002 Digital Clock Fix
Over the last month, the digital clock in my car started to go out. I knew it must be a bad connection because it would work intermittently. Then a few weeks ago, it stopped working all together. I looked online and found I could buy used clock on eBay for $6 dollars or bring it to the garage and get it fixed for about $160. Therefore, I decided I would try to fix it myself. Thanks to scoobymods.com, I was able to figure out how to get the clock out of the dashboard.
I removed the facing around the radio. Thenthe top piece with the vents and the hazard switch. To do that, I pull out the cup holder and unscrewed the two Phillips screws inside on both sides. Then, if you are going to do this, take the facing off around the radio first. I know it seems like you could skip this part but trust me, It saves you time in the end. I made the mistake of trying to take the vent cover off first and wasted 15 minutes putting it back on before going forward. The facing around the radio has four clips, one on each corner. I was not worried about scratching the surface and just used a butter knife. Some people suggest using a flat screwdriver wrapped in electrical tape and slowly pry at the corners until the facing pops free. Then, I just removed the plug from the hazard switch and radio using my fingers. I took out the clock module. With a blade screwdriver, I had to press firmly on the clips in the front of the clock pod until it pops up. It took some time to look at how the clips were angled into the plastic and bit of jiggling while pushing on the clips. Eventually it popped off. At this point, I was able to disconnect the plug from the clock. Then pull the four clips off the plastic molding and bring the unit inside to inspect the issue.
Note: If you decide to fix your clock, make sure not to lose the buttons for the hour, minute, and second. A rubber and plastic piece connect with the main board.
Now that I had the module inside I searched online and found reports of issues with resister 510. Here is a picture showing where the break occurs. It appears this happens frequently on all Subaru’s.I pulled out my fine pointed solider iron and got the connection fixed up. I did not see any other problems so I put it back together.
Final Result!
References:
http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6386&highlight=clock
http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1203
Labels: tech
2:03 PM
Motorhead brother, I have a baby swing that is too fast. Perhaps I should have you pull apart the motor and see if you can figure out when you visit. I have two extra motors, compliments of the crappy Evenflo company. All 3 work at only a concussion-inducing speed.
6:50 PM
I,m very impressed! you saved so much money doing it yourself!I bet you would like to do puzzles!Its the same thing! Way to go!!
8:57 PM
Had exactly the same problem. Just today. The clock quit working. I was in the middle of changing the cabin air filter and I initially thought that I yanked on the wiring harness bundle and screwed it up. But after reading how shitty these Subaru digital clocks are, I ripped the dash apart and looked at mine. Same problem. Clock quits working, and that 510 resisistor is flapping in the wind.
I have an Impreza Outback Sport from 2002. Getting the dash ripped apart is a MAJOR bitch. Huge pain in the ass to get the clock itselfe out. In haste, I fucked up the dash. Need to be more gentle.
Now I just need to solder it and we're square. Kind of pisses me off that this is such a common problem. This is probably the 300th post I've read on the subject, and there's probably 10,000 times as many people who just fix it without saying anything. Pain in the ass!
12:27 AM
Yeah, Subaru should really do a recall on this part or at least stop putting it in their cars.
9:24 AM
My clock died in my 02 WRX and I couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. A Google/i-club search got me to your blog post, and I re-soldered the exact spot you said to, and it fixed it! You've restored my faith in the internet. Thank you!