sharan instrument failure

[aerobobcat]

Help needed. My VW Sharan has developed instrument faults.

Speedo, Rev Counter, Temp and Fuel gauges not functioning. Also handbreak light and ABS light permanently on. Plese note my vehicle is CL and is not equiped with ABS.

Any help or advice will be apreciated.:confused:

[polo9n]

HI MATE
my VW Polo has similar problem, the instrument gauge went blank on new year eve, as a result i couldn't start the car at all..after a while i smack the instrument gauge came back on, then car able to start then,but the airbag lights stays on, since then the instrument gauge seems to go blank(disconnected?) in 1 sec and come back on...i have posted several msg here but i have no joy getting any expert advice. i have booked in for a
service next week and will let u know how i get on.
in my opinion i think theres chance the fuse got a problem or a loose cable.and last it can be a faulty instrument gauge.

[aerobobcat]

Thanks for your respnse. I will be keen to know how you get on.

Cheers for now

Aerobobcat

[polo9n]

:confused: HI THERE, just got my polo back today and garage says they couldn't fix the problem as the faulty dashboard working ok while in garage after they reset the system. the only solution they offer if problem happen again is to replace the dash + labour = €450.

i reckon its only a bad cable as the dash working ok, except its shut down and restart once a while. they reckon resetting the system should eliminate the problem.

[aerobobcat]

Hi there

Thanks for the info re your dodgy polo dashboard. My Sharan is still exhibiting similar problems despite the fact that I have checked and double checked the wiring and the pcb's for any obvious faults.

There is one electroletic on the board, which when pressed and proded momentarily clears all the faults. However when everything is re-assembled the fualt reappears.

I tend to agree with you that this is a simple fault that should not necessetate a new instrument cluster. You say that your garage have reset the dash what exactly did they do?

Cheers for now

Aerobobcat

[polo9n]

they have checked all the warning lights that is on, currently the airbag lights was on, they plugged the car computer with their diagnostic system and couldn't locate any fault, so as the end they reset the car management system so no warning will stay on, as the airbags light isn't caused by airbag fault.

i told the mechanic on duty as he also agree that sounded like a bad wire but he said the problem not showing while car in garage.
so he adviced if same happen again will have to replace the instrument cluster.

"this is almost like doctor have to amputate my leg b'cse i got a blocked artery somewhere.."

[aerobobcat]

Hi and thanks for your recent response.

I guess I will now have to book my Sharan into the garage and suffer the financial consequences of having a new instrument cluster fitted, but will it cure the problem?

Regards Aerobobcat

[polo9n]

HI MATE
i finally found a Instrument technicians that know their stuff, as i mentioned the problem and they immediatedly came back with few possibilities and solutions. you should check out any Instrument technicians/specialist in UK, as far as i know theres lots. most cases instrument cluster can be fixed if its a digital error.
it took me ages to find one here in Ireland and personally replacing the dash isn't best solution unless they can pin point the cause.
anyway those guy quoted me half the cost to get it fixed and a 6month guarantee on the faulty dash. will see them sometime next week and let u know the outcome! good luck

[aerobobcat]

Thanks for your latest message. I have found someone technically qualified on the links section of the forum. I have left a message for the chap to call me back, will let you know the outcome.

Cheers for now

Aerobobcat

[powerhead22]

HI MATE
i finally found a Instrument technicians that know their stuff, as i mentioned the problem and they immediatedly came back with few possibilities and solutions. you should check out any Instrument technicians/specialist in UK, as far as i know theres lots. most cases instrument cluster can be fixed if its a digital error.
it took me ages to find one here in Ireland and personally replacing the dash isn't best solution unless they can pin point the cause.
anyway those guy quoted me half the cost to get it fixed and a 6month guarantee on the faulty dash. will see them sometime next week and let u know the outcome! good luck

.....and how did you get on?

[aerobobcat]

Hi guys

I have contacted two specialist repair outfits. Sadly they have failed to respond. The garage that usually service my cars have told me that they do not have the facilities to set-up new instrument pods, (retail price £215 + vat). They have had similar problems with Polos etc but have always referred the problem back to a VW agent.

I will try yet again to find an independant repair specialist, but failing that I guess I will have no option but to go to VW agent. I will keep you posted.

[Sam]

While not the best solution, clusters do appear on ebay (both .co.uk and .de) from time to time and with the right tools and person you can recode and fit them and be on your way fairly easily (says he who has know knowledge of this!)

There are some very knowledgeable folks on www.tdiclub.com who regularly delve into the workings and coding of their clusters. A few are based in the UK too.

[aerobobcat]

Hi thanks for the advice. I have seen instrument pods on ebay, brand new for around £60-120. However they all seem to be for much later models than mine. I will check out the web address you mentioned and let you all know how I get on.

Cheers for now

[Sam]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-SHARAN-INSTRUMENT-CLUSTER-NEW-VW-PARTS_W0QQitemZ320075765135QQihZ011QQcategoryZ9889 QQcmdZViewItem

I couldn't find what year your Sharan was, so this may or may not work.

[aerobobcat]

Hi Sam

My Sharan is an oldie, 1997. The clusters advertised on ebay all appear to be for later models. I am still trying to locate a specialist, but alas to no avail. I will keep you all posted on the outcome.

Cheers for now

Aerobobcat

[rugbyian]

Help needed. My VW Sharan has developed instrument faults.

Speedo, Rev Counter, Temp and Fuel gauges not functioning. Also handbreak light and ABS light permanently on. Plese note my vehicle is CL and is not equiped with ABS.

Any help or advice will be apreciated.:confused:


i too have got a dash board that is playing up, so i took my sharan to newport vw who did fix the offending connector block behind the dash and they stated that the connector block was corrodid.

even though the fault was fixed for a while it soon returned to the way it was before, so i am now at my wits end with this issue and need to know what exactly i need to do to get this fixed once and for all..........!

and one other thing, why the hell isnt there a haynes manual available for the sharan yet ?:aargh4:
well rant over for now and all thats left to say is thanks to the people of this forum for sharing their wisdom, without you we would be stuck:biglaugh:

cheers rugbyian.

[aerobobcat]

Hi Rugbyian and all the other guys who responded to my queery.

My problem has now been resolved. However I had to go to a VW main agent as all the independant outfits that I contacted failed to respond.

I had a new dashpod fitted and have had no repeat of the problems. The cost for the dash was around £256 plus fitting.

I have no idea why there is no Haynes manual for this vehicle.

Sorry I can't be of more help but good luck anyway.

Aerobobcat

[codhead]

Hi Rugbyian and all the other guys who responded to my queery.

My problem has now been resolved. However I had to go to a VW main agent as all the independant outfits that I contacted failed to respond.

I had a new dashpod fitted and have had no repeat of the problems. The cost for the dash was around £256 plus fitting.

I have no idea why there is no Haynes manual for this vehicle.

Sorry I can't be of more help but good luck anyway.

Aerobobcat

Haynes produce a manual for the Ford Galaxy, about £12 off eBay

[Tur13o]

Hello,

I have an S reg Sharan which has same symtoms. I have asked the local VW dealer service centre to fix it and they say I need a new dashboard pod. I don't really have an issue with this - except they have been trying to get one for over 6 months! They say they cant get them any more.

Someone mentioned specalist outfits in this thread - can anyone post the contact details of these?

Thanks in advance.

[Tur13o]

I have the same problem. But the local dealer (Martins Basingstoke) have had a new dash pod on order for well over six months, they don't seem to be able to get one. Which VW dealer did you use ( and how old is you Sharan - mine is one of the first models S reg).

Thanks in advance.