VNL 780 - D16 Gauges flickering

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/threads/instrument-panel-not-working.301014/ Different tuck, same troubleshooting process that I wrote here.

 

There should be a ground wire that runs to the board that runs those lights that are flickering. In essence the entire gauge cluster likely has a single ground wire. You might locate the ground side of that gauge array, and take a wire with a couple of alligator clips and ground it until you can run down the problem. I wouldn't mess around to long with this condition occurring, it could be the precursor to a more serious problem that could happen at a very inopportune time. If it is just the lights on the dash swap the relays or fuses around, it might be that one of them is weak. Good luck on figuring it out. Let the group know how you make out, we could all possibly benefit from what you find.

 

Is this a new truck? I'm looking at your avatar and assume so. Do the lights flicker when idling but not so much when you increase RPM's?

 

I did a search on this issue because I must admit I don't have a hell of a lot of experience with Volvo. But the gauge cluster should still have a common ground wire. That being said, in the search I did there was a guy talking about his gauges flickering on his Volvo when it was idling. Another guy suggested that it might be an alternator problem. The guy with the issue confirmed that the alternator was in fact going out.

I would also suggest you check the connections on your alternator if your symptom is the similar. Be very careful checking the connections on the alternator, as grounding the wires on that component could result in a very undesirable outcome.

Good luck

 

I have a 2010 and have a similar problem.

1 Dash flicker
2 J1587 Communication error with climate unit
3 truck will shut off while driving but usually fires right up if left in gear
4 truck cranks and cranks but will not fire

Now the truck has gone months without this problem but it pops up ever so often. Not starting that is.

I was told to look at the twist lock on the firewall. The green wire that Qualcomm connects to is the issue.Maybe some day I will track it down.