People with dead pixels in their display cluster....a question.

[SonicBlur]

My gauge cluster is starting to show the infamous dead pixel lines on the information display. I went to Schaumburg Audi to ask if it is possible to replace ONLY the LED display and not the entire cluster. The parts guy said that Audi replaces the entire cluster and even with your old one as a core (which shows that it is repairable) it'll cost $700-$1000!!!! WTF?!?

My question is : Can I replace ONLY the LED display and not the entire cluster? I don't want to do the whole cluster because I don't have a VAG-COM to recalibrate another cluster and I want to keep my mileage correct. I am going to do all the work myself. Any ideas or places where I can just buy the LED center display?

-Mike

[unknowna4]

I've never seen anyone replace just the lcd, I think you have to replace the whole cluster and get it programed at the dealer.

[therox182]

For whatever reason, my cluster looks AWESOME now since it's cold out. Come summer time, I won't be able to read much at all. But it doesnt bother me enough to spend a grand to have it fixed.

[AudiHolicS4]

theres a guy on the forums who will fix yours for a lot cheaper than the stealershipi think he does it for like 300 not positive... im just not sure what his name is but i have seen him on here and im sure someone else will chime in

[tike0rz]

Some guy posted a link to an Ebay ad that will do it for around $300. STFA

[B6JoeS4]

dont go to shamburg audi. go to the one on Ogden. My friend has a 01.5 s4 and he has dead pixles. schamburg audi quoted him 1000 and the audi dealer on Ogden quoted him 750. Also, i believe the only place than can calibrate the millage is the dealer. they are give a special key by aoa

[tdn]

There are places that do repair these clusters, but the ones I'm aware of are in Europe. There is a guy on here who bought a shitload of them and is selling them or if you send out your cluster, he'll install it for you for a little more money. Anyway, they ARE repairable. Mine is in pretty good shape as of now but when it starts to annoy me I'll be taking it apart.

I've heard the reason for the failure is the adhesive audi uses becoming soft over time, more so during hotter months, which is the reason why they tend not to be as bad in the winter. If this reason is true, I can't imagine it being difficult to fix but I'll find out once I take it out.

[Rated S]

You just have to know how to work with a really small circuit board if you want to do it yourself.

[audimeister]

I did read a post with positive comments about this company:

http://www.bba-reman.com/catalogue/D...ledProduct=278

[Matt@JHM]

If I recall correctly, the problem that creates the missing pixels is a poorly placed ribbon cable that becomes pinched over time. Can anyone clarify?

[Kruat]

If I recall correctly, the problem that creates the missing pixels is a poorly placed ribbon cable that becomes pinched over time. Can anyone clarify?

I'd like to know also, cus if it's as simple (or cheap) as fixing or replacing a ribbon cable, that would be easy to do. At least somewhat...

[00s4slvr]

there is a guy on here and i lost almost most of my pixels and its realy cold which means come summertime im probably gonna be blacked out. I really wanna get this thing fixed. Anyone know the guys name?

[audimeister]

His screen name is Macguyver or something. He's on the B5 A4 board. I was on his list to get mine done, and he emailed me that he was having problems.

Haven't heard since...

there is a guy on here and i lost almost most of my pixels and its realy cold which means come summertime im probably gonna be blacked out. I really wanna get this thing fixed. Anyone know the guys name?

[Robcast]

I am having my cluster fixed, perhaps this week by Macgyver681 here on the forums.
The only gripe is that he says the replacement lcd is a little brighter than the original.
Will post pictures once it is done.

[GetAwayFromMe]

I am having my cluster fixed, perhaps this week by Macgyver681 here on the forums.
The only gripe is that he says the replacement lcd is a little brighter than the original.
Will post pictures once it is done.

Have him put a couple diodes to dim down the lcd screen.

[GetAudiHere]

how much does he charge?

[CONTROL ONE]

how much does he charge?

x2. It's not worth $200 USD for me that DXC charges. I'd rather live with the missing pixels.

[Robcast]

175 plus shipping, but I am local.

[00s4slvr]

where does he do this at in nj? i live in central jersey and i can meet up with him for 175 il get it done asap!!

[Johnnys4]

http://www.dnaspeedometers.com/aud.htm

[Kruat]

But do these guys fix the already existing LCD, or just replace it? Does anyone know? I'm so tired of not being able to read my screen. I'm not against paying even 250 to fix, but if it's something i can do myself for less, I'd rather go that route.

[Jesse S.]

Got mine replaced under warranty. The 2nd one is still going strong after 4 years.

[mholme]

But do these guys fix the already existing LCD, or just replace it? Does anyone know? I'm so tired of not being able to read my screen. I'm not against paying even 250 to fix, but if it's something i can do myself for less, I'd rather go that route.

I'm guessing at that price and no core charge, it's a refurb of your unit. For 200-300 dollars though, I'll just turn it off. For all the other crap that can break on these cars, I'd rather put the money towards that. I'm sure people like myself with the dead pixels would like to see it working correctly, but for me, I'd be so mesmerized by it that I would end up crashing my car.

[tdn]

Well the guy on here the last few people are talking about, completely replaces the LCD for brand new ones he bought, except like it was said, they're a little brighter. He included pictures in the thread he's got. So it's not refurbished.

Also, he sells the LCD by itself for under $100 if I'm not mistaken.

[mrbogangles]

is it me or should these be a recall item
since it seems like a manufacturer fault

[badbiturbo]

175 plus shipping, but I am local.

I'd definitley get mines done for that price, and assuming i'm local to, who is this guy?

[mholme]

Well the guy on here the last few people are talking about, completely replaces the LCD for brand new ones he bought, except like it was said, they're a little brighter. He included pictures in the thread he's got. So it's not refurbished.

Also, he sells the LCD by itself for under $100 if I'm not mistaken.

If he's doing LCD replacement by itslef succesfully, then that's a skill that's not a simple DIY for the average person. I would think that if it was, then more people would be game to try it, since 1 out of 2 people probably have dead or dying clusters. This has been an issue for a decade now and I know for a fact people have tried replacing just the LCD with no success.

[tdn]

Here's the guy who bought them and is doing the repairs made on the topic.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...&highlight=lcd

It's long and over a year old, but with continues updates.. I believe the last up day was a week ago.

[DxC]

i have them and am going to organize a group buy soon. the main thing is you will need to be able to go without ur cluster for ~ 2 weeks. your car will still drive, but technically you shouldnt, as mileage will not be accurate

[email protected]

[CONTROL ONE]

Does the car start/run without the cluster attached?

[Siena]

If I recall correctly, the problem that creates the missing pixels is a poorly placed ribbon cable that becomes pinched over time. Can anyone clarify?

Not the ribbon sadly, it's the LCD panel itself.

[Mattgfx]

Here's the guy who bought them and is doing the repairs made on the topic.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...&highlight=lcd

It's long and over a year old, but with continues updates.. I believe the last up day was a week ago.

this is good for me, he is local also..

[DxC]

Does the car start/run without the cluster attached?

yes, but like i said. you would have to disclose that the mileage shown is not actual ....

[Kruat]

yes, but like i said. you would have to disclose that the mileage shown is not actual ....

Are you doing the repairs? Or are you just selling the parts? Can you tell me whats involved? I have an extensive electronics background, and would just rather buy the parts and fix it myself.

[obijohn22]

I heard a rumor that it was bad solder joints. Someone went through and repaired their failing panel with a delicate re-solder. It's just something i heard. Has anyone else heard this?

[00s4tt]

Would driving with the display off help to "save" some of the pixel life on the display? Or would that be pointless?

[CONTROL ONE]

Or would that be pointless?

Pointless. You are only prolonging the inevitable.

[00s4tt]

^^^^ Shit, well that sucks haha

[Kruat]

Well I guess I'll just have to open mine up and take a look for myself....

[Auburnsky1287]

I would've sworn there was a recall for the dead pixels in the display....