Hey guys,
I have sorted this issue but thought i would post the solution here.
Symtoms are as follows:
The time/outside temperature/fuel consumption display unit has a mind of it's own as to if it will display or not. It acts like there is a loose connection, tap the unit a few times and it sometimes it begins to work.
Occasionally it displays as if it is receiving a low voltage, ir some parts are dimly lit.
Turns out to be exactly the same problem as with the forester clocks, just that in this case the resistor is underneath the display. Which makes it a bit more fiddly to fix.
However it was sufficient to just desolder the 2 legs on one side of the vfd display and then bend it up out of the way.
The culprit is R4 (marked "511") the solder joints here were in a bad shape and in need of a re-solder, I also resoldered the transistor TR3, since it also didnt look great either.
Now it is working perfectly!
CREDIT: darkxst on subaruoutback.org Forum
http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66-problems-maintenance/24447-clock-issues-2005-outback.html