B7 Instrument Cluster - Backlit Scales not working with Headlights OFF

[Bimmerod]

Battery went dead on my B7 RS4 since I haven't driven it in a couple months. After getting the battery charged up and the car going again my cluster dashlights (scales) are not showing up unless it's sunny outside. The first day it was overcast and I only had the needles lit up.

I have never had this issue in the past. My dash lights are always on and I never run with the headlight switch in the "Auto" position, it is always in the "OFF" position. When I open the door the lights come on in the cluster but after I shut the door they fade back to just the needles lit up.

Of course when I turn on the headlights or parking lights the scales do light up but like i said I never had this issue in the past. I could be sitting in a parking lot at light with the engine running, no lights on and all my dash lights worked.

I double checked with Vag-Com and my code was 31300

17-Instruments:
Mode 0: Nothing lit until ext. light on
Mode 1: Pointers lit all the time
Mode 2: Scales lit all the time
Mode 3: Pointers and Scales lit all the time

Changing the first number had the desired effect for 0,1,2 but when I switched back to 31300 I still only see the needles light up.

Can't figure out WTF is going on here???

Thanks,

Bimmerod

[greenarmyman]

Is the interior light dinner turned all the way down?

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[greenarmyman]

Dimmer

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[Bimmerod]

Is the interior light dinner turned all the way down?

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My understanding is the "Dimmer" which is the little + & - buttons on the bottom left of the cluster only functions when the headlights are on, hence turning on ALL interior lights, switches etc...

I am not aware of any other adjustment for the Cluster lights specifically when the headlights are turned OFF.

If there is, please show me the path

Bimmerod

[greenarmyman]

I remember having a someone similar issue in my s4, that only the needles lit up and nothing else. If I recall correctly, I had them dimmed all the way down with the +/- buttons, or my kids had bumped it from Auto lights to just parking lights. I wish I knew more to help, was just suggestions to double check that your cluster is not dimmed all the way down


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[greenarmyman]

Or maybe it was the parking brake was not 100% down, just up a hair. I can't remember.

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[Bimmerod]

I've had the car for the past 13 years and never had an issue with the cluster. It wasn't the first time the battery ran down from not driving it.

I have never had the headlight switch in the "Auto" position, ever. Since other forums mention something about that.

Not sure what could have happened to change the way its always been. The cluster lights have always come on regardless if it was day or night. Now I'm just getting needles unless I move the switch to Auto or parking lights.

Doesn't make any sense why the third option, which was what my car was selected on doesn't do anything in Vag-com.

I'm stumped

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[Junaid]

From my understanding the cluster won't light up if it's too dark. If it's parked in the garage, move it outside in the sun and see if it works.

[Bimmerod]

From my understanding the cluster won't light up if it's too dark. If it's parked in the garage, move it outside in the sun and see if it works.

It is currently functioning in that manner. Suns out daylight, the scales are lit up, darkness approaches the scales dim and go out. Same thing applies if I shine a light into the sensor during the night, the scales light back up.

What I am saying is that my cluster was never like that before the dead battery/jump start. For some reason the cluster is not accepting the coding for the third option which would turn the Scales & Needles on with the ignition on.



I have tried to unhook the battery and reset everything but it is still not accepting the "3" coding to the cluster. All of the other ones make the desired changes so I don't know??? I have even driven it around for a few hours to make sure it was fully charged and all modules were reset after the Auto-Scan.

Thoughts???

Bimmerod

[Junaid]

It is currently functioning in that manner. Suns out daylight, the scales are lit up, darkness approaches the scales dim and go out. Same thing applies if I shine a light into the sensor during the night, the scales light back up.

What I am saying is that my cluster was never like that before the dead battery/jump start. For some reason the cluster is not accepting the coding for the third option which would turn the Scales & Needles on with the ignition on.

I have tried to unhook the battery and reset everything but it is still not accepting the "3" coding to the cluster. All of the other ones make the desired changes so I don't know??? I have even driven it around for a few hours to make sure it was fully charged and all modules were reset after the Auto-Scan.

Thoughts???

Bimmerod

You can turning off the rain/light sensor and see if it fixes it.

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index...onics_(8EC/8ED)

[All_Black_A4]

I have the exact same issue in my B7 A4 but it wasn't because of a flat battery. I'm almost certain the scales and needles were lit all the time but now the scales only come on with the headlight switch in auto and it being dark enough to activate them or with the park lights on. The only thing I can think that may effect/have caused it to happen is I did the "euro headlight" VCDS mod a while back. Can't be 100% certain that's what did it as I haven't changed it back to check. Might try it when I have some free time. My coding for the dash lights is the same as yours as well.

[Bimmerod]

You can turning off the rain/light sensor and see if it fixes it.

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index...onics_(8EC/8ED)

I will give it a try, nothing else is working.

I have the exact same issue in my B7 A4 but it wasn't because of a flat battery. I'm almost certain the scales and needles were lit all the time but now the scales only come on with the headlight switch in auto and it being dark enough to activate them or with the park lights on. The only thing I can think that may effect/have caused it to happen is I did the "euro headlight" VCDS mod a while back. Can't be 100% certain that's what did it as I haven't changed it back to check. Might try it when I have some free time. My coding for the dash lights is the same as yours as well.

Yeah the crazy thing is I haven't changed any coding on this baby in years. Not sure why all of the sudden this change took place??? I hate to say this but it isn't the first time the battery went dead on me Car is covered in the garage and either I periodically drive it or hook it up to the trickle charger. Seems as though neither one of those happened before the juice ran out. That being said, I never had any problem with any module, EVER.

Let me know if you can check it out on yours, really hate this ambient light sensor crap. Even on a cloudy day I feel as though the scales are not as bright as when the switch is in "Auto"

Thanks,

Bimmerod

[DWRS4]

In my 08 RS4 the needles are always on. The scales light up if it’s bright out. If it’s dark, the scales will only light up if I turn on the headlights (putting the headlight switch on auto).

[Bimmerod]

In my 08 RS4 the needles are always on. The scales light up if it’s bright out. If it’s dark, the scales will only light up if I turn on the headlights (putting the headlight switch on auto).

Yeah, it seems as though that may be the default but like I said above, I have always had BOTH on at all times. I never remember changing anything to my IC in the past, never had to.

Not sure why all of the sudden things are different now???

Bimmerod

[Nollywood]

Possibly bricked cluster.