What is this device on my NC?

MX5er · Postby **MX5er** » Mon Jan 09, 2017 11:19 pm

Just bought a NC series 2 and it is fantastic. Low k's and in immaculate condition. A joy to drive.
My problem - there is a small device mounted on the dash near the windscreen and at the top of the dash mounted speaker.
There are 10 LEDs(red and orange) on it and they flash randomly and the device emits an alarm.
There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the flashing lights/alarm coming on.
It appears to be aftermarket as there is no reference to it in the Owner's Manual.
Can anyone help?
thanks in advance

david_syd_au · Postby **david_syd_au** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 6:49 am

Shift light?
Radar/Lidar detector?

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 7:04 am

double up

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 7:06 am

Modern version of the Brock " Energy Polariser".

Or does it go to 11?

"

rascal · Postby **rascal** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 7:09 am

Parking sensor?

MX5er · Postby **MX5er** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 8:17 am

To be clear:

The annoying alarm and less annoying LEDs activate for no apparent reason - on the open road in 6th gear with no other cars around, starting up in an open space, randomly.... anywhere.

I thought I might just cut the wires but I took the car to my experienced mechanic who advised against this until the wires were traced. He has no idea what this thing is.

I tried googling it but nothing comes up - obviously I'm searching the wrong words...

I traced the original owner who had no memory of it.

I also checked the two other possibilities ... April 1st... nup......Candid Camera.....nup

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 8:25 am

Economy meter?
A/F meter?

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 9:15 am

My guess would be a reversing sensor display that hasn't been wired up correctly to the sensors so its values are floating.

Have you ever seen the LEDS light up starting from the right hand side and incrementing left?
This would indicate that it is a reversing sensor display.

Have you ever seen only the middle square LEDs light up (eg. LED 2,3,4 or 7,8,9) and not the ones on the extremities or middle (square LEDs 5 or 6)?
This would indicate that it's NOT a reversing sensor display since they typically increment from the extremities or from the centre based on proximity detection.

Do you have reversing sensors on your rear bumper?
If so then I'd say it's definitely a reversing sensor display that's NOT wired/functioning correctly.
If NOT, then it's possible that the PO chickened out during the install when he/she had to drill holes into the bumper for the sensors.

MX5er · Postby **MX5er** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 9:59 am

JACKPOT!

Thank you Lokiel.

Seems this device displays info from parking sensors (4 front and 4 back).

On closer inspection the cabling running from theses 8 sensors has been neatly fitted but for some reason she no work.

The sensors are colour matched to bumpers so look very much factory fitted.

Now have found this - http://www.feliogroup.com/pages/parking-sensors

After market device.

Device from Malaysia??

I really like parking sensors so will need to find an auto electrician who can sort this.

Somehow I don't think this will be that easy.

cheers

MX5er · Postby **MX5er** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 10:01 am

Thanks also to Rascal for his correct guess.

Red Dragon · Postby **Red Dragon** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 10:02 am

I have one of these the original owner had front sensors fitted there is a button just above the boot release pull for turning it on and off, when you approach something you get an orange light and as you get closer more orange lights until you are a foot or less away when the centre turns red. you also get a warning sound.
Mine is fitted on the lower section of the windscreen on the drivers side

MX5er · Postby **MX5er** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 10:17 am

Thank you too Red Dragon.

I saw that small switch above the boot release button and was wondering what it was for!!

Just switched it off and then back on and drove into my garage. 2 side orange lights came on then progressively lights illuminated towards the centre with red lights and alarm sounding as front bumper approached wall.

Just switched it off!

Seems this device is not meant to be left switched on.

Thanks to all - problem solved!!

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 10:53 am

good thing that the mechanic did not just cut the wires. Looks like it could be a useful product.

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 11:10 am

Mr Morlock wrote:good thing that the mechanic did not just cut the wires. Looks like it could be a useful product.

count agree more.

underneath my dash is a total disaster. Loose wires i have no idea wehat they belong to. an ancient alarm which has been installed.

every-time something goes pair shape electrically on patchy. I have seizures just thinking about all those wires that go nowhere but really attach to something. :shock: