Instrument cluster woes

Regulus · #1 26th May 2017, 01:57 PM

Thank you
I didn't notice the comment, because I didn't scroll down far enough. It's a relief I won't have problems with the immobiliser

ainarssems · #2 26th May 2017, 02:37 PM

That's right, you can just swap the cluster and car will work just fine for PF car.
The cluster you linked is in mph so you should ask them if they have any with kph dial faces or get one from ebay.de Swapping dial faces is a possibility but fiddly job with potential to break something so I would get cluster that's already in kph.
Coding and adaption channels like the engine, region, distance and time left till next service can be read and entered in replacement cluster with VCDS or similar tool
Mileage change is a bit trickier as not officially supported by Audi but there are couple of aftermarket tools that should be able to do it or you could re-solder the EEPROM chip from old cluster.

I have Super VAG tool like this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUPER-VAG-...cAAOSw~y9ZB61I which is supposed to be able to do mileage correction. I used it to retrieve PIN for my 1997 S8 and 2000 A6 so that I can code extra keys and immobiliser chips for remote start. I have the PIN numbers now for use in future and don't use tool for anything else so I am considering selling it if somebody is interested.

Regulus · #3 26th May 2017, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ainarssems

That's right, you can just swap the cluster and car will work just fine for PF car.
The cluster you linked is in mph so you should ask them if they have any with kph dial faces or get one from ebay.de Swapping dial faces is a possibility but fiddly job with potential to break something so I would get cluster that's already in kph.
Coding and adaption channels like the engine, region, distance and time left till next service can be read and entered in replacement cluster with VCDS or similar tool
Mileage change is a bit trickier as not officially supported by Audi but there are couple of aftermarket tools that should be able to do it or you could re-solder the EEPROM chip from old cluster.

Thank you. I am happy it is possible to swap the cluster. A lot easier than having it rebuilt.
At first I thought the mph doesn't bother me as the dial show kmh as well. But on second thought, I realise that the mileage will be in miles, not kilometers.

Thing is, the clusters I can get here in Sweden cost a lot more. Like £180.
Doesn't look like there is much to choose from the german ebay, just A8.

ainarssems · #4 26th May 2017, 06:36 PM

I think all clusters store mileage in km but will display it in either km or m depending on coding or adaption.
And it's always worth e-mail or phone call to A8 Parts to see if they have one with km/h in stock.

Regulus · #5 26th May 2017, 09:12 PM

I see. You have really been of great help, thank you

And I see the e-mail is on the forum header, cool!
I will do as you suggest and send them an e-mail this weekend.

mannyo · #6 28th May 2017, 08:27 AM

Without buying new there is no guarantee that any used cluster will not have the same problem. The DIS LCD screen failure is a very common one and given the age of these cars now then chances are that the fault may exist on any used cluster.

You can buy the LCD panels new, and its not difficult to swap them over if you are good with a soldering iron.

RS6 · #7 28th May 2017, 12:15 PM

There is a place in the UK that can fix the dial units and sort out the dot matrix problems

Regulus · #8 28th May 2017, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mannyo

Without buying new there is no guarantee that any used cluster will not have the same problem. The DIS LCD screen failure is a very common one and given the age of these cars now then chances are that the fault may exist on any used cluster.

You can buy the LCD panels new, and its not difficult to swap them over if you are good with a soldering iron.

I am not sure how good I am with a soldering iron. It is worth considering, as I was trained to do it well in the Navy. But that was 30 years ago.

steamship · #9 28th May 2017, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mannyo

You can buy the LCD panels new, and its not difficult to swap them over if you are good with a soldering iron.

Can you buy the other screens as well for the date/time and mileage, and if so, do you have a source?

My original cluster suffered from the central one pixellating from the top down, as well as the mileage one.

The replacement one suffers from the heating issue on the date/time where it fades, but since we don't have that many 'hot' days, it's not an issue, but would be handy to know there is a source for the bits.