Hello,
Can anybody help me ?
I have got a 1998 A4 1.9TDI SE, and the LCD display in the dashboard doesn't work.
The car runs as with no faults.
Could it be a grounding fault ?
Please anyone help !
Awaiting someones reply.
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John,
I am not familiar with the A4 dashboard, so please excuse these questions:-
What information does the LCD give, if working properly?
Where on the dashboard is this LCD located? In the Instrument cluster perhaps?
Are you sure it is an LCD (Liquid crystal Display), and not an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display?
Have you had a diagnostic check?
Based on knowing the above, my recent experience with my 2001MY Golf may be relevant.
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thanks for getting back to me.
The LCD/LED is on the dash between the rev counter and the speedo.
It normally displays say outside temp, MPG and has some of the warning lights on it. (But only the back light works, no display can be seen.)
Have had a diagnostic check, and no faults found in the fault log.
I was thinking that it could be a dodgy earth or supply line coming from the ECU.
I have read in another thread that the VAG ECU's may have poorly soldered joints from the PCB to the connectors, and that these may break or become dry after time.
My experiance in electronics is that if a solder joint is crap to start with, then after a few years of temp change and vibration the joint will fail.
The car runs normally, and the dash even beeps when the washer fluid level runs low or a build is blown.
With the indication of no faults found in the fault log I think that it must be one of the supply lines that is up the creak.
Also I have just noticed that the temp gauge has started to work intermittantly.
The Audi dash is all electronics, and all of the dials are stepping motors which require an electronics bit code to move them to the next step.
I presume that the step code is produced from the ECU.
Sorry to ramble on but I wanted to give you as much information about this fault as possible, in the hope that your experiance is simular to mine.
Awaiting your return.
John
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If it's the display which illuminates the trip computer then it's a bulb. On my A6 dash the one behind the trip computer went and it was a half hour job at service to replace. The one behind the temp gauge has also gone but that's a dash-off job so not worth it
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No its not the trip counter.
Its the main 3" x 2" LCD/LED in between the speedo and rev counter. dont work ?
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I had an almost identical problem on my '98 A3 T Sport. The 'check panel', which sounds like it provides the self same info (outside temp, CD/radio info, mileage computer etc),was starting to become very faded around the edge of the display.
I went to my local Audi main dealer (Southampton Audi) who told me that the panel is an integral part of the instrument cluster and would have to be replaced as a complete unit. Cost of replacement unit - £500 plus fitting etc!!
Good news was that apparently Audi were prepared, as a 'goodwill gesture', to contribute 70% of the cost.
£150 later, all was sorted. Seems that Audi are more than aware that these panels are prone to failure.
Worth an approach to your local main dealer in my humble opinion.
Good luck
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The only thing i would add is to check the earths for the loom which are located in the footwellbehind the pannels and the carpet after that i would change the lcd ( it is an lcd in the se model)
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Yes it is the LCD from the SE model.
tomorrow I am going to be stripping down the dash locating all of the suppy wire from the ECU and such.
I will even take out the ECU to reflow the solder joints on the ECU edge connector.(Seen in previous thread regarding the AUDI alam.)
Failing all of this I will attempt to run new supply and earth lines from the ECU.
Or just buy another set of clocks (Second hand.) and strip out the LCD. (I work with electronics, so soldering shouldn't be an issue.)
Replacing sender unit and thermostat in cooling system, as I have got a fluctuating temp gauge.
So I have a very busy weekend planed up to my eyes in audi A4.
I am also very cynical, The mark up from the manufacturers is appaling, and what with the high price for an hours labour at main dealers.
I lost a near side indicator the other month, and Audis wanted £75 for a replacement, I said is that fitted, they said no sir that's another £60 + vat.
Well I ended getting the part from an after market parts dealer and I fitted it myself. (Inducator cost £17 + postage.)
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cynical mode on:
I wonder if the 70% that Audi "contributed" towards the cost would've usually been the dealer mark-up?
Cynical mode off;
Does make you wonder though....
Chad.
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Johhny,
Sorry for delay - work intervened.
Here is a summary of my experiences with this cluster (made by VDO, now Siemens VDO).
Failure of Trip Computer Display, and of Odometer to continuously update.
History:-
10.01.01 000013m Vehicle delivered.
07.01.02 19,878m Intermittent Trip Computer display first observed. (Stayed off for periods of 10 secs or more). Strange how this occurred just as 12 months warranty ran out.
21.01.02 22,814m Largely off for 1st 44m of 59m journey to work.
During this interval (January to April), the display recovered, then disappeared, then came back again!
May 02 : I removed the cluster and gave it a thorough inspection. Any soldered joints to display looking suspicious of dry joints were re-soldered. All pins from display micro were re-soldered as a precaution. No improvement on re-fitting.
But now Odometer (and trip odo) now only update when you key
off. To reset trip odo, can only be done in keyed off state.
Trip computer display seen once, briefly, that?s all!
Also noticed that Audible signals for Screen Wash level / Tail gate open etc, do not now function.
Also, when display not working it is impossible to adjust the Cluster illumination intensity. Dash panel illumination level remains adjustable.
The vehicle was then permanently in this state:-
· No Trip Computer display
· Odometer, and Trip Odometer, do not update whilst on the move.
· Audible warning signals missing e.g. for tailgate open and low Windscreen Washer Fluid Level.
· Cluster illumination cannot be adjusted. (but dashboard illumination remains adjustable).
Aug 2002, 36000m: Odo and Trip odo resume operating correctly.
Oct 2002, 38,630m: Odo and Trip odo revert back to not being updated on the move.
Finally I decided to renew the cluster. Although having access to VAGCOM, I decided I didnt have much chance of getting the necessary Secret Key Code from a VW dealer, as the one I'd been nurturing for this purpose changed allegance to another brand.
This was done in December 2003, and cost something like £325. £200 parts (exchange unit), £125 labour. All has been OK since.
I am convinced that mine packed up due to an internal fault with the display micro.
Good luck with the soldering iron.
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