Very good video. As a tip, my 07 Forester gave me an "AT Temp" warning message on the dashboard and various threads on Subaru sites said "check the brake lights" (What?? that's crazy right?) but the brake lights were not working (all 3 were not working left, right and top) so I checked the fuse (it was good) and I bought the last brake light switch in town and plugged it into the plug and the brakes came back on!! Really Subaru?!? That's the worst code ever for bad brake light switch!! However, this was a good video, thank you.
Wow, thank you! Your video is now 8 years old, and my Matrix XR is still running perfectly after 19 years... except for the clock. It's been getting worse for the last 10-12 years. Time to crack it open!! : )
Ok so I wish he spent much more time on the solder part, I have soldered copper pipe before with torch, but never used an actual solder gun with tip, are you supposed to see any actual solder come out or just lightly touching each contact?
This guy talks about soldering as if is a piece of cake for the average person, he just breezes over it in the video. I think I will just look for a new component
Thanks !! That was it for my 2006 subaru forrester... brake lights would not go on (none), changed a bulb, checked a fuse, metered the fuse 16... all correct... and this eas last resort, got a switch for $40 watched your video and tested it first befire scewing all in just pugging it in a d pushing button by hand.. that was it, installed it and tadaaa works.. saved me a walk to the mechanic 😊
Had an airbag sensor bad light on my 2005 Toyota Matrix which was on the same circuit board at the clock. The clock was also dim/off most of the time. Followed the instructions in the video which fixed the clock AND the airbag light on the dash. THANK YOU for making the video. Had the car to the shop twice before and they couldn't figure out the problem.
Thanks for this very helpful video, pentaxk110d. I just spent about 20 minutes or so doing exactly what you demonstrated (also heating up each end of the rectangular resistors that can be seen at the 2:00 mark -- #270, etc.). I then re-installed the clock assembly in my 2005 Matrix, and . . . PRESTO, the clock showed 1:00, and I proceeded to set the proper time. Previously the clock was off entirely except for rare, random displays of the time. As you suggested, I did not add any solder to any part of the clock assembly, just heated up all the parts you indicated. Thanks again! P.S. By the way, I tried this a couple of days ago, but it's now obvious that I didn't heat things up well enough.on my first attempt.
There is a conformal coating on the board. Its best to scrape it of before reflowing the solder. They use a lead free solder ( RoHS directive) which over time cracks/separates because it cannot flex.
@@paulbjarnason4696 As you have observed, the fix to these dim or no clock display issues is not the display. Its the resistors for the display that need reflowing. The same goes for the other models of Toyotas.
Hello, Great question. Just long enough to melt the solder. It will get shiny and look a little bit liquid. Just not so long that board starts to heat up and melt.
@@pentaxk110d Thank you. I did it and your description fits what it looked like after I was done. The first couple of days after doing it the light was still off but after a couple of days it now shows a strong consistent light. I hope it stays that way.
@@kelvinvillar9984 Me too! Thanks for watching. I'm just a guy- neither a mechanic or an enthusiast- just trying to learn things and help a few others along the way. There are some other helpful comments on this thread from others who have had good success.
Thanks for the video. I'm having the same issue on my "new" 06 forester. Couldn't you hace just adjusted the original brake light switch? How did you know you had to replace it?
Hey there Good question! I made an educated guess. I figured mine was shot because it was original and they’re known to fail on these Subarus. I didn’t properly diagnose it, but I suppose you could test for continuity using a multimeter before buying the part- and if you don’t mind getting down under the pedals an extra time! Good luck with the repair.
Thank you so much for the video! I followed your advice and the clock came back on like new!! With regards to the screws, I used an allen key and it worked.
I'll give you that; I'm no pro RU-vid, but what can I say? One dark, rainy, late night in my parkade, I found a way to fix my issue and decided to share with other frustrated Matrix owners. I hope you at least found it helpful 🤷♂️ Cheers
Sorry you did not have success. Your two next best options are to try to find a new/used replacement clock which is easy to swap out or to just leave it as is.
thought mine was faulty but just pressed on the little piston afew times with my finger, maybe it was just stuck in for me. First time leading an issue to the brake switch for me, almost pulled my hair out thinking I had the wrong bulbs and not in the right spots, single filament down the bottom etc
It worked but now my clock is in military time and I don't know how to change it to 12hr timé instead of 24 hr anyone have any suggestions . Did exactly as video instructed it worked but now can't set time. .
Thanks so much for the video. On my Matrix the screws were a Torx 7. I reflowed the connector pins first...and no joy. Poked around the resistors and found one loose. Reflowed the resistor, now the various LED warning lights all worked...but no clock. Plugged it is and poked each resistor and found one under the display that if I poked at it... the clock would light up. Reflowed that one....and the clock worked, but with some dim numbers. Holding the circuit while it was on, I felt some resistors getting hot, so I reflowed every resistor I could access. It now works great at full brightness. Lesson learned, just reflow every resistor that you can access. They may look good, but a bad connection and the display will not work, or will be dim. I also recommend you use very good flux on your reflows. I bought AMTECH NC-559-V2-TF. Works great and the syringe will likely outlast me!
If you happen to flip the dash faceplate over after removing the clock, two plastic extension pieces may fall out. They are both of equal length and go where the minute and hour adjusting buttons are. No big deal but don't lose them.
Great! I hope this fixes your issue. Pro Tip: Before fully removing your old switch, you can first try disconnecting the plug, connecting the new one, and press the black button manually to see if it fixes the issue. If it works, then continue replacing it. If not, then it will spare you from bending over backwards to change out the switch unnecessarily.
Did this on my 05. The hardest part of the repair was getting the 2 screws out. I did not have a TORX, so used a small flat blade screw driver and pliers o n the handle. I used a 15 power Zeiss eye loop to see that at least one resistor had indeed a cracked looking solder joint. I heated each resistor with the soldering iron for good measure and each of those 30 pins or however many there are. Works like a GEM! No need to spend $144.00 for a rebuild unit on line or more for a new one. Thanks you!
The hardest part of the repair was getting the 2 screws out. I did not have a TORX, so used a small flat blade screw driver and pliers o n the handle. I used a 15 power Zeiss eye loop to see that at least one resistor had indeed a cracked looking solder joint. I heated each resistor with the soldering iron for good measure and each of those 30 pins or however many there are. Works like a GEM! No need to spend $144.00 for a rebuild unit on line or more for a new one. Thanks you!
Glad you got it working! I believe the screw is a T7 which I did not have when I made the video so I carefully removed it with a slotted screw driver also. Cheers!
Just did this myself. Use a little water based flux on pins before carefully reflowing the solder. My airbag light is off and clock is on! Great video!
These clocks are notorious for this. While a weak alternator could cause this to happen, there would be other symptoms as well such as a dead battery or other accessories working intermittently. In this case it was solely the clock at fault.
Thanks for the post. I had this problem and found that the through-hole pins on the display were incompletely soldered from the factory. I reflowed the connections/added solder as necessary and it was better but it didn't fix the problem completely. I noticed the display would dim/brighten at different times, I figured that the voltage to the display was varying too much and that the capacitor on the board (the silver cylinder - 47uF 35V) was also problematic. I reflowed the solder for the capacitor and all the other resistors labeled R_(number) and now it works perfectly.
I just did this on a 1994 Toyota Hiace. I also re-soldered some other areas on the board while it was apart. Fixed it perfectly. Great video and thank you......Cheers from Australia!
Great Question- I'm not 100% sure. I've heard that the clocks have been an issue on many of these vehicles in this era (particularly the Corolla, Matrix, and Camry). I have heard that it is just how they were all made. It is quite likely that an OEM replacement clock would do the same, though Toyota parts typically come with at least a 12 month warranty. A replacement clock, however, could be in the neighbourhood of $75US
I personally prefer the factory look of the dash, but that would be a more economical option. There are some after market clocks you can buy, but the quality it’s not regulated, so beware!
Thanks. This was helpful. The bit is a T7 torx but if you don't have that (it is not a common one) you can use a 1/16 allen is you apply pressure as you turn VERY slowly so as not to strip it. Good luck to those who try and thanks. This is a common problem as I have repaired mine and my dad's who has the same Matrix.
Thanks, I've been wondering about this for a while, banging the dash worked for a couple weeks but now it's just dim all the time. I've got a lot of free time at a maintenance shop so ill make sure to bring my clock in.
I am delighted that this fix worked! I could not budge the screws with a flathead, so I had to buy a Torx set. Glad I did, it was very easy to unscrew with the correct tool. Thank you, pentaxk110d for taking the time to film and post this tutorial!
It worked! I am not handy...but I followed the instructions in this video and fixed my 2005 Matrix clock which has been out for 2 years or more. Curiously, the repair did not appear to work when I first reassembled the dash and turned the key to accessories. But the next morning while driving the car, I noted that the clock was working. The digits are bright and strong. Thank you pentaxk11d!!!!
Glad it worked for you. I find that my clock goes through brighter and dimmer seasons, but it can also be affected by battery and alternator condition.
