MK5 Golf (2004) immobiliser kicking in no display on dash / cluster

[wuzzbert]

Hi all,

Help would be much appreciated with my Golf MK5 (2004) 2.0 GT TDI (BKD)

Came out to start my car this morning, as I got in and put the key in ignition and turned it I noticed the dash wasn't coming on and I mean absolutely nothing - no time, no odometer, no warning lights such as oil temp etc. absolutely nothing, not even the fuel gauge moved.

I then went to start the car and it turned over and started for about 1 second then cut out which I assume is the immobiliser kicking in because there is no communication with the cluster to tell it its successfully handshaked with the key chip and the main ECU (please correct me if I'm wrong).

Anyway I called out breakdown and the guy took my cluster out and said I was getting 12v to the cluster but that's as far as his diagnostics go.

So I'm thinking my cluster unit is goosed, would you agree? If so what do I do now and is there anything else I can check prior to sending it off for repair, as in relays etc.

I've got a guy coming tonight to plug a vag-com in so I'll update you with the codes but I'm thinking it wont be too telling as the cluster is down, is there a way I can power the cluster up on a bench to check its basic powering up???

One last thing, the only thing I did before this happened is to mess with a bulb which seemed to have a dodgy connection on the back registration plate with the ignition on, Im highly doubting this but could this have caused any serge or damage???

Please forgive me as my knowledge is limited but I try and learn as best I can.

[bill.wj.wilson]

Ignition on can pop fuses, check all the relays and fuses you can find.

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[bill.wj.wilson]

Could also try disconnecting the battery for about 10 minutes helps reset the ecu.

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[Crasher]

Possibly low battery, the way modern cars respond is throwing people as it is not as it were int olde days.

[wuzzbert]

I can't believe it, got home and tried it again and it fired up first time cluster back fully working. Im so glad however concerned it might happen again. Anyhow plugged the vag com in and the following faults were in the history:

18058 - Powertrain Data Bus
P1650 - 000 - Missing Message From Instrument Cluster - Intermittent

17978 - Engine Start Blocked By Immobiliser
P1570 - 000 - Intermittent

17949 - Fuel Pump Relay (J17)
P1541 - 000 - Open Circuit

00778 - Steering Angle Sensor (G85)
000 - -

Does this point to an intermittent fault with the cluster? Hopefully it won't come back!

[wuzzbert]

Could it really be a low battery if the car was cranking and starting?? I mean surely if the car can start it can power the cluster!

[Crasher]

I see it all the time, modern starters can crank an engine over on a flat battery but everything else shuts down. As it recovered even more says battery, I would not be surprised if it was the original.

[wuzzbert]

Possibly low battery, the way modern cars respond is throwing people as it is not as it were int olde days.

Could it really be a low battery if the car was cranking and starting?? I mean surely if the car can start it can power the cluster!

[wuzzbert]

I see it all the time, modern starters can crank an engine over on a flat battery but everything else shuts down. As it recovered even more says battery, I would not be surprised if it was the original.

That is very interesting, thank you very much, I will charge it up and do some battery tests on it

[DMcCo]

Sorry for using your thread butt I'm having a similar issue with my Jetta of the same era, however it is starting and driving perfect! Have the codes below:
Faulty clocks? - No rev or speedo, lots of warnings!