Onboard computer display panel fully lit

**fraser33** · 16-03-2014,04:00 PM

My '53 Passat Estate suddenly developed a fault yesterday when I started it up after about a week without being driven. The full panel (ie all 40x25mm) of the onboard computer display was lit up, so that none of the normal information figures was readable. I waited a bit to see if anything happened but it stayed lit. I switched off, waited a bit, then restarted but the same thing was displayed. The car itself runs fine and has no problems, (other than the central locking not automatically unlocking the tailgate, so it has to be opened with the key.) In certain lighting conditions it is possible to make out the usual statistics being displayed, but the whole panel still remains lit up red.

I've had a google and a hunt through the site here, but I've been unable to find any descriptions or information regarding this same issue occurring in other people's cars.

Can anyone offer any suggestions please?

**M1tchy** · 16-03-2014,04:06 PM

Can you adjust the brightness or contrast in the setting?

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**fraser33** · 16-03-2014,10:59 PM

No, it's not a brightness issue as such I'm afraid, it's like the whole OBC display has become one huge warning light, ie bright red. I suppose there is a sort of 'brightness' factor, but it's either an actual warning or fault, but I'm not sure what it means. Just a simple electrical fault perhaps?

Edit: should have said, I don't think there's a facility to adjust the brightness, other than the usual full dashboard lighting when the lights are switched on.

**M1tchy** · 16-03-2014,11:22 PM

I wasn't sure if there would be a brightness/contrast option, it's just what came to mind

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**fraser33** · 17-03-2014,09:38 AM

No problem, thanks anyway for the suggestion. I'll ask the auto-electrician when I speak to him about the old boot-lock issue later this week; hopefully he can fix it.

**fraser33** · 22-03-2014,06:51 PM

Update:

Well, the auto-electrician fixed the boot lock problem ok, but to resolve the OBC light issue said I'd need a new instrument cluster, which he costed at about £430, plus fitting! Needless to say I told him I'd think about it! This was all on Tuesday.

Got into the car today, Saturday, and the full block of red light on the OBC had gone out, all that was displayed was 'Service due in 2000 miles'. Result!

Not sure if the two things are connected, but that huge annoying light is no longer an issue....I hope!