Need Urgent *HELP* - Dash Cluster problem!!

**SN95Audi87** · 10-02-2010 09:54 PM

Ok. After this huge rainstorm... I go to turn on my car and I see no power to my dash cluster. So I'm like "WTF" in my head. Me being a noob, and new B5 owner for a few months, this situation scared the crap out of me. I see all the self-check diagnostics come on when I start the car. But the needles dont move or anything. At Night its even worst. I have no LED interior light for the overhead near the sunroof. Everything else works just fine. I am basically driving blind, and wondering if anyone can help.

I'm guessing its blown fuse but I had to go straight to work. Couldn't tamper with it at all.

**SN95Audi87** · 10-02-2010 10:35 PM

Anyone!

When I started up the car, the rpm doesn't read and nothing else turns on. No power to reiterate, only thing is i see the regular self-diagnostic checks and my blinkers work. Everything esle in the car interior related works. Just the dash cluster is completely off.

**CycloSteve** · 10-02-2010 11:58 PM

First check the fuse box for any blown ones. If none blown, then try pulling the cluster and checking that each of the plugs are properly seated into the cluster itself...beyond that start combing through the service manual (Bentley).

**SN95Audi87** · 10-03-2010 07:17 AM

The fuse box is located on the driver side dash board right?

**ADNpro** · 10-03-2010 07:45 AM

Yes, on the side where most are located.

**SN95Audi87** · 10-03-2010 11:29 AM

I checked #15 - 10a fuse, and it looks in perfect condition. Now pulling it made my diagnostics lights on the dash come on, but still no illumination for the dash or needles moving. And now my radio is in safe mode. Just gets suckier lol. Someone help...

**alsabti3** · 10-03-2010 11:37 AM

was your car struck by thunder? did you survive?

**SN95Audi87** · 10-03-2010 11:44 AM

Lol. No I wasn't struck by thunder. And the car was parked under the tree when it stopped raining. I really hope the cluster isn't fried. *shaking my head*

**walky_talky20** · 10-03-2010 12:00 PM

How about the radio or reverse lights? Do those work? For the radio, does it turn on and off with the key like it should?

I'm thinking you possible lost power on part of the 15 circuit due to a faulty ignition switch.

**SN95Audi87** · 10-03-2010 12:15 PM

Yeah well, before I pulled the fuse... I drove the car to work with no dash light/or needles. Reverse lights and everything comes on. If it was a faulty ignition switch, shouldn't the car not start?

**mkturbo3** · 10-03-2010 12:33 PM

im having this exact same problem.. cluster wont illuminate, none of the needles will move. everything else works headlights,signals,and side markers. my self diag check wont work nor will the time and mileage turns on. only lights that come on are epc,airbag,abs,brake,and the battery sign.

**walky_talky20** · 10-03-2010 12:36 PM

No, there are several outputs from the ignition switch other than the starter signal output.

So you are absolutely sure the reverse lights work and if the radio is left on, it shuts off with the key and comes back on with the key automatically?

Does the odometer work? It should show you the miles as soon as the driver's door is open (no key required).

Also check fuses 14, 38, and 6.

How are you checking the fuses? With a test light? Voltmeter? Ohmmeter?

It really seems like either the cluster is not getting power from the ignition switch, or the cluster is dead. Have you tried jiggling the key, or turning slighty backward or forward?

**SN95Audi87** · 10-03-2010 12:36 PM

Yep! This is exactly what I am going through! The ignition switch sounds like a plausible cause but I'm not to sure.

I'm checking fuses by just pulling them and seeing if they are burnt. I'm not using any electrical equipment at all.

The odometer doesn't work, LCD screen off, time/date off. No needles move at all.

**walky_talky20** · 10-03-2010 12:45 PM

It is generally advisable to use a test light or volt meter when checking fuses. A fuse can look good visually but still be blown (not usually, but it happens). Also it lets you know that the circuit is up. If the fuse is good, but the fuse isn't even getting power with the key on, you've got other problems.

Sadly, the power source in question (from the ignition switch) doesn't even run through a fuse after the switch. So it isn't very easy to do a quick check. Reverse lights run off the same circuit, so that gives us some idea, but there could still be a wiring fault. Would have to pull the cluster to see on that one.

**SN95Audi87** · 10-03-2010 12:52 PM

well I check those fuses by a visual and nothing seems wrong. I will dig deeper into it later with a voltmeter. Just to let you know my low beam light doesn't come either if that can give you any ideas. When I push the stalk forward doesn't stay one.

**stevejones19** · 10-03-2010 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by SN95Audi87

well I check those fuses by a visual and nothing seems wrong. I will dig deeper into it later with a voltmeter. Just to let you know my low beam light doesn't come either if that can give you any ideas. When I push the stalk forward doesn't stay one.

Definetly take Walky_talky's advice on this one. He's helped me and many other people through similar situations. Good thing for you, The ignition switch isn't expensive at all

lol

**walky_talky20** · 10-03-2010 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by SN95Audi87

my low beam light doesn't come either...When I push the stalk forward doesn't stay one.

Please explain what the means...

The low beam indicator on the cluster, or the actual low beam headlamps do not operate? What about high beams? What about wipers?

**mkturbo3** · 10-03-2010 02:53 PM

hit the dashboard a couple times and power and everything started to work again lol.

**SN95Audi87** · 10-03-2010 10:23 PM

The low beam indicator on the cluster does not show. When you click the stalk forward to make the high beams stay on permenant doesn't work. It only works when I pull the stalk back like if I am going to flash someone. Other than that the dashboard cluster doesn't work at all, and all my indicator warning lights are on. Sorry, the epc light is on as well.

I've some heavy research, and read a lot of threads.

It could be ignition switch, some type of relay where I dont know where the relay box is, or my cluster is just fried.

**walky_talky20** · 10-04-2010 09:33 AM

And what about wipers? You didn't answer that one...

**SN95Audi87** · 10-04-2010 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by walky_talky20

And what about wipers? You didn't answer that one...

Wipers work perfectly. I'm sorry that I haven't answered your questions fully. Just nervous about the situation, its just such a awkward/weird problem that I almost couldn't sleep good! Ah!

No Vent illumination either. Everything else works list below

Interior lights - ok
Vent lights - dead
Dash Cluster - dead
Headlights - ok
Foglights- ok
Tail lights - ok
Radio - ok
Driveablility - ok
Warning lights - (on) except of Lowbeam light
Reverse Lights - ok
Cigarette light - ok and power works
Overhead mirror lights - ok
Trunk light - ok
Rear Fog light - ok
Alarm parameter lights - ok

**SN95Audi87** · 10-04-2010 06:51 PM

Where is the relay carrier located on these cars?

**walky_talky20** · 10-04-2010 08:13 PM

Aha. So the actual low beam and high beam headlamps are working, it is just their indicators on the cluster that aren't working.

Most of the relays in the B5 are in the relay carriers behind the driver's "knee bolster" (aka "kick panel" or "lower dash panel"). You have to remove a couple 7mm hex head bolts to get it off. The top ones are hidden behind the oblong plastic "plugs" in the dash. You gently pry those off to access the small bolts.

Anyway, I don't know what you would exactly check there. The cluster is not powered through any relays. It is powered directly from the ignition switch. I think more benefit would be from pulling the cluster and checking for power and ground supply at it's connector(s). Specifically checking for 15 circuit power supply (Hot in ON and START) to pin 1, the black wire, in the 32 pin connector.

**SN95Audi87** · 10-04-2010 08:48 PM

Thank you! My friend is coming over tomorrow, or wednesday. We are going to pull the cluster and test for power. We will let know what's up. Also do you have any idea why my warning lights are on all at the same time? Just curious. Looks like a light show. It happened when I pulled the instrument cluster fuse, then put it back in.

**SN95Audi87** · 10-05-2010 04:33 PM

This thread can be finally closed. The car is fixed and I am happy.

Story: The cluster was taken out at one point and wasn't correctly put back in. I am novice Audi owner so I wouldn't have known. Anyways the connectors have this clip in the back that you have to press firmly. My friend pulled the cluster out tested the connectors everything was good. So we put the cluster in thinking we need to replace the ignition switch and PRESTO. Everything turns on beautifully. At this point I am very happy/ecstatic. Also while we have the car in pieces. We took the front bumper off because I ordered new clips for the bumper to slide on too. So everything worked out great and I give all the credit to God and my best friend Alex and his brother for helping. Take care everyone!