LCD Display all screwy (or the aliens are coming)
 

Just after I got my RX-8 I noticed that sometimes when it was cold outside, the LCD display for the radio would not show properly. The characters would flash on and off and sometimes do this Matrix-type scrolling. This only happened a couple of times, and only after the car had sat overnight. Usually the problem would go away once I started to drive.

Fast forward to now. We are having summer in May here in the northeastern US, and my LCD display is doing the same thing. Only this time, it's not going away. It started yesterday afternoon on my way home from shopping with the wife, and it hasn't stopped.

I wish I had a picture to show everyone what I'm mean, but I don't have a working camera right now. I did a search and did not find anyone else with this problem.

Has anyone experienced a problem like this?

Btw - I called the dealership to make an appointment so I will let everyone know what comes about from that conversation.

I sort of have the same problem. Mine occurs only when I try to wipe off dust from the LCD. The "smear" eventually subsides and everything is ok.

Havn't seen that problem yet on the 8, but my telescope has a similar screen and I see that type of problem at low temperatures or when the batteries are low...

BTW, isn't it an LED screen? I think the LED display is a weak-point in the interior design -- it's just not in keeping with the "modern" look. As one of the UK reviewer's noted, it's a throw-back to the first-ever digital watches. "Yech!"

You are correct. It is an LED screen. I should know better. Thanks.

Um, I'm pretty sure it's LCD, and MadRonin was right. LED can't "smear" when you wipe them because they are a solid state light. It's actually a reverse LCD backlit screen. So it can respond slower in cold weather because LCD are definately affected by temperature. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but my screen really acts like an LCD, not LED.

I used to live in Park City Utah and my Truck radio LED or LCD (whichever) would always have this same problem whenever it got really freaking cold, however I don't know about the heat. Had the same truck in Texas for several summers and never experinced the same problem.

It's backlit LCD. This "smearing" effect is common in cold, but not in warm weather, though it will do it some if you put any pressure on it (such as wiping it).

Liquid Crystal Display is similar to those found in most calculators. Light Emitting Diode displays are similar to those used in scrolling marquees (with the individual light bulbs and all).

LCD, LED, whatever it is it's all screwy right now. Yesterday afternoon the ambient temp was 195 degrees according to the RX-8.

I called the dealer and the earliest they could get me in was next Tuesday. Seeing as how it wasn't a major problem, I didn't push the issue.

Well if it was 195 degrees out I think a most displays would be working improperly. Cell phones, calculators, computers.. Perhaps you were nearing the boiling point of the display's inner materials?

Several others have posted this same problem (including me). It's not a 'smearing' effect, it's a scrambled display. It has to do with connections between the piano black panel and the display. When I press in certain spots on the black panel (like the bottom center of the CD opening) the display will clear up.