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guide:
Dont let the Audi garages fool you, the whole cluster does not need changing. Mine did exactly the same thing, worse on hot days, better on cooler days. Audi also said change the cluster, I thought forget it! I took it out, there's 3 plugs on the back. Turn it over, there's a few torx screws, take those out, and loosen the black clips which hold the clear face to the rest of the cluster.
What happens is the lcd display glass has a thin ribbon cable on its right hand side that powers the display, the bonding/glueing on this ribbon cable comes loose, doesn't make proper contact thats why the lines come and go.
Over the top of the display is a metal cover plate held on by 4 legs bent on the back of the pc board. Straighten these, and it comes off. WORK GENTLY!!!
Then you can remove the lcd glass. Be careful, don't loose the 2 pieces of plastic behind the lcd glass. IT WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT BOTH OF THESE.
Then, either take the lcd panel to a good electronic company to re-bond the ribbon cable for you, or find a place that makes and sells lcd displays.
Don't worry about the codes either, so long as you disconnect the cluster with the ignition off, once you plug it back, everything will work fine.
I did mine myself, just added 2 extra strips of thin rubber strip behind the lcd on either side, and made the metal cover press down slightly harder on the ribbon cable so it makes better contact, and it works perfectly. All in all, an hour or so's work.
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outstanding. how do you actually remove the clocks?
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Actually not difficult either to remove the clocks. Loosen the steering column adjusting lever on the left, pull it towards you and down, (you are going to need all the space you can get) tighten it again.
On top of the column right underneath the clocks is a small plastic cover, grab it and pull at it, it comes out relatively easy, there's no screws holding it in.
On the top of the cluster, is 2 x Philips screws, take these out (It helps if you have a very short screwdriver, it just a very difficult and tricky place to work). Then, pull at the top of the cluster, you should be able to get a finger in right at the top, and its not too difficult once you've got it loose.
Pull it down and towards you, then try look in the back, one of the cables is attached with a cable tie, cut it, (but obviously not the wiring it holds in place)
The plugs are difficult to get out, they are held in place by clips which fold over then clipping into place, almost like a stirrup. Do the closest one to you first so you can see how it works. Unclip it on the sides, then push it up and over the plug, this will actually lift the plug out of the fiiting, then its just a simple case of moving the cluster around till you can get it out.
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Cool!, the been waiting for an answer to this question for a long time, this one should be sticky mods.
You've got to have a laugh!
99' Audi S3(APY) - Brilliant Black
00' Audi S3(APY) - Ebony Black
Buy my S3 for £3k!
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14th November 2006 #26
dultanur
0
yep, i'll try to get this done! thanks for the great info!
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god_thats_quick
Yep I think this needs to be added to the FAQ, mines just started doing it with a line or two occasionally, I find it's mainly on lines that arn't used and only when the display hasn't changed very often, had the low coolant warning light come on the other day for about 20secs when it was freezing and that flashing away seemed to sort the problem for a while. I might have to give this a go when I get some free time.
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No prob guy's. I think the degree of work you going to have to do will depend on how much of your ribbon cable has come loose from the side of the lcd display. I wasn't going to take chances, so took mine off completely, cleaned everything and put it back.
Something you could also try if you don't have thin rubber strip is the right sized cable tie. Just trim it to fit in neatly under the lcd so that the metal case squeezes the glass down onto the ribbon cable and the cable down onto the cable tie.
Mine worked first time (and for that I am SO thankful), but, you know how it goes. Just get that damn cable onto the glass as tight as you can, and your problems will be over.
Good Luck!
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4th January 2007 #29
Tequie
Reverse Gear
I dont have a button on the end of my washers stalk
Its a 1999 A3 TDI
Strange huh?!
Sorry to dig up a skeleton all but what can be done for people (such as turbodan and myself) that dont have the button at the end of the wiper stalk and the display is always off? I have the trip meter and total mileage on the right hand side inside the speedo but nothing in the middle dis.
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I wondered why mines was doing this too, only happens when the car is hot, works perfect on freezing cold days.
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5th January 2007 #31
rodenal
6th Gear
0
Originally Posted by Tequie
Sorry to dig up a skeleton all but what can be done for people (such as turbodan and myself) that dont have the button at the end of the wiper stalk and the display is always off? I have the trip meter and total mileage on the right hand side inside the speedo but nothing in the middle dis.
Bugger all i believe as its probably linked to the ecu
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17th September 2007 #32
dwest218
Originally Posted by FlyingBy
Dont let the Audi garages fool you, the whole cluster does not need changing. Mine did exactly the same thing, worse on hot days, better on cooler days. Audi also said change the cluster, I thought forget it! I took it out, there's 3 plugs on the back. Turn it over, there's a few torx screws, take those out, and loosen the black clips which hold the clear face to the rest of the cluster.
What happens is the lcd display glass has a thin ribbon cable on its right hand side that powers the display, the bonding/glueing on this ribbon cable comes loose, doesn't make proper contact thats why the lines come and go.
Over the top of the display is a metal cover plate held on by 4 legs bent on the back of the pc board. Straighten these, and it comes off. WORK GENTLY!!!
Then you can remove the lcd glass. Be careful, don't loose the 2 pieces of plastic behind the lcd glass. IT WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT BOTH OF THESE.
Then, either take the lcd panel to a good electronic company to re-bond the ribbon cable for you, or find a place that makes and sells lcd displays.
Don't worry about the codes either, so long as you disconnect the cluster with the ignition off, once you plug it back, everything will work fine.
I did mine myself, just added 2 extra strips of thin rubber strip behind the lcd on either side, and made the metal cover press down slightly harder on the ribbon cable so it makes better contact, and it works perfectly. All in all, an hour or so's work.
This thread got quiet. Did anyone try this and have success? I am thinking about opening up my instrument panel and giving it a shot if it at least worked for someone??
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17th September 2007 #33
ive been thinking about it too, but apart from FlyingBy, nobody seems to have had any luck doing it at all!
still, i may well whip my clocks out and see if it looks do-able.
mines always been bad sinse i bought the car, but its recently gotten worse to the point where i can only just read it!
(comments from audi sport forum)
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