Instrument Cluster Problems and Removal

[Willënskraft]

For the past week the pixels on the time and date, and odometer started fading. I suspected it might be from the temperature changes. It has come back now, but not fully. When driving it would sometimes disappear or fade out a bit. I've already tried resetting and replaced the fuse, shining some light, but still not working properly. So, I'm going to remove the IC, then unplug and replug the connectors. Now when removing the IC,


1) Does the battery need to be disconnected or the fuses removed?

2) Is VAGCOM needed?


Also, it's a 02 A4 1.8TQ

Pics for reference:





And vid




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[chad99]

I have done it with battery connected and disconnected, but for safety, its easy enough to disconnect the battery

vagcom not needed

EDIT: and I have never touched the fuses

[Willënskraft]

Which terminal did you disconnect?

[chad99]

on the battery? the negative cable
if you mean the connectors on the back of the cluster, I remove both

[Willënskraft]

Yes the battery. Did your cluster have similar problems?

[chad99]

No I pulled it to swap in a s4 cluster

[f1torrents]

No need to unplug the battery or fuse.
Iv done it hundreds of times.

You would not believe what I have put test clusters through on the bench and they can take a beating. No worries with these.

[hgtuner08]

seconded, i removed my cluster a dozen times to mess with the ppd. As far as actually getting it out, two torx screw under the steering wheel trim and then put the wheel all the way down and wiggle it out. disconnect the connectors and then you're home free. I would just try and see if any of the connectors are messed up or if resetting it solves the problem. Looks like maybe a bent pin? I dunno

[Willënskraft]

Well son of a gun, how about that.



Everything came back up and I didn't even pull the cluster lol. Thanks for all the help guys. If this ever happens again I'll pull the IC. Mucho appreciated !

Sent from my iPhone in a secret volcano "lair"