Instrument Cluster Gauges Not Working (But car starts/ idles fine)

[eskeele]

First things first, the car has been sitting (in NC) for the last 16 days.

Went to start car and go to work this morning, car started fine, no excessive crank etc. There was no power to the instrument gauges. I had power to my boost gauge, and CEL was on. EPC light was on initially until car was started, then it was just CEL and parking brake light. Scanned with VAG and got a few codes that ended with "no indication on display".

Searching has not been my friend so far...but I will continue to do so.

Any help is appreciated.

[eskeele]

Possibly the battery is getting low and has acted up in the cold(er) weather this morning?

[eskeele]

Bump for any help....

[eskeele]

I have scanned and gotten the following codes:



Fuses all look ok (5 and 15, the instrument cluster ones at least). Buttons around radio not lighting up or seat heater lights.


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[xalents23]

Looks like you only have two options. Send the cluster out for repair or buy a used working cluster. Did you remove your cluster and check the wires/connectors that are connected to the speedo. To see if they are damaged.

[jpurre]

As stated, I would remove the cluster and re-seat the 3 harnesses. Your battery must be good if it started up. Try taking the ground off for 10 minutes and see if that helps. These cars are so finicky.

[eskeele]

Thanks for the replies. I have not yet pulled the cluster, but I did drive her today with no issues (boost gauge and gps provided me with enough info to safely get around, just need to top off gas to be safe). I will try re-seating the harnesses and the longer ground removal (I pulled it and put it back on yesterday).

Fingers crossed that fixes it. Maybe she is just telling me her DD days are limited...


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[eskeele]

Tried both suggestions. Neither seems to have worked. Actually have more error lights on after trying them (EPC, AIRBAG, etc). Unless "re-seat" means something besides removing them and plugging them back in...

Any other suggestions besides cluster replacement?


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[eskeele]

Reset ground again. Other (non-CEL) lights are off now. Back to where I was in the beginning.


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[eskeele]

Started the car this morning and voilà, I had full cluster functionality. Not sure which solution fixed the issue but here is what I did for anyone searching in the future:

Pulled cluster out, unplugged all three connectors in the back of it. Plugged them all back in about 5 minutes later.

Removed battery ground for about 45 min. Reconnected. (Multiple lights at this point)

Removed ground again for about 15 min, reconnected. Only cel on at this point.

Left it overnight.

*magic*

Started car this morning (coldest morning in a while), working cluster.

Good luck.


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[jpurre]

As I said, these cars are fickle. Good to hear you're cluster is up and working again