MK5 BKD 2004 non start and blank instrument cluster?

[jasongelly]

Hello,

i have a 2004 2.0TDI BKD which is not starting. I have also got a completely blank instrument cluster. I can turn over the engine by turning key to to start position, but it will not start or run just turns over. After I try this and let the key return to the start position, there is a very high pitch noise coming from the engine bay possibly the ECU area.
i have checked every fuse and they are all ok.
i have side and headlights, hazards lights work but no warning in the car comes on. My blower works, but not my rear screen heater.
the radio is also asking for a code now. This could be me changing batteries though. Electric Windows's also work as does central locking.
I am up in the inner Hebrides which doesn't help and there are no local VAG specialists near me. I managed to get someone to read the OBD codes and these came up ;
18058 and 17978.
i have tried a new fully charged battery and the condition is the same.
Could the instrument cluster and or ECU have failed? If so is there any way to identify if the cluster is actually getting 12 volts apart from checking the fuse which is ok, is there a particular pin that feeds 12 volt to the cluster? I am also led to believe that the immobiliser is in the cluster too.

any help much appreciated.

thanks.

[Doctle Odd]

You could try cold-booting the car. Remove both battery cables from the battery. Short the battery cables together (away from the battery) for about 15 seconds leave for 15 minutes and reconnect the battery cables. Look up the codes here Ross-Tech Wiki it may well be a cluster problem

[jasongelly]

Thanks for the suggestion, I will definitely give it a try.
Looking at the link you sent me for Ross Tech, it may not be an immobiliser problem after all as the engine does not start, and then stop it just turns over without running at all.
is there any way I can check if I have 12 volts to the instrument cluster? I have checked the fuse that is identified as the F17 in the engine bay that is the instrument cluster fuse and the fuse is fine and has 12volts+. My ECU casing looks very oxidised on the outside although the connector pins are fine, do these fail or breakdown if moisture does get in, it rains a lot up here on Skye!
Just waiting for the rain to stop and I'll give the reboot a go.

thanks again for your reply.

[jasongelly]

Well I have tried the reboot, unfortunately nothing changed. I did try starting the car again with a fully charged battery and it does run at best for a few seconds and dies immediately.
This is pointing me more towards this instrument cluster and immobiliser problem, which ties in with the fault codes.
Can I get the cluster repaired or is it a replacement item, will this have issues with the immobiliser if I fit a new or second hand part?
Again any help is much appreciated.
Thanks

[jasongelly]

Does any one know if I can test for 12volts to the instrument cluster ?
I have had an issue in the past with voles nesting in the engine bay and they onward through the oil sump/sensor wiring!
it would be good to ensure I have power going to the instrument before sending it away or replacing it.

sorry for all the questions, but I would like to eliminate everything else first.

Thanks

[Doctle Odd]

You can have a cluster repaired look at this site. BBA reman. ABS, ecu's, throttle bodies, air mass meters, MFD and catalytic converters Is there a little orange key flashing on the cluster?

[DMitch16]

Have checked the fuse panels left and right ends of the dash for any blown ones?

[jasongelly]

Thanks for the replies.
I have checked all fuses under bonnet and to right of dash, and all ok continuity wise.
i don't have any lights at all on the cluster it seems completely dead, is there anyway to check if power is going to the instrument cluster?
it seems I don't have any power to anything that would normally operate when the engine is running.
I do have side and headlights, my heater blower and temp control work ok, as do the hazards but only the lights on the outside, the switch operates them but does not flash. No indicators either.

All help appreciated.

[jasongelly]

I have managed to work out which pin, on the cluster plug is 12volts and it is pin 1. It has 12volts + when the ignition key is turned on.
I also have located pin 19 which is the earth and this is also good.

i am now looking towards the cluster more than ever, but am worried if I buy a second hand one it still won't run. Immobiliser. My nearest VW dealer is 110 miles away about two and half hours on the roads up here, plus I can't drive the vehicle anyway.
There is a new old stock one on *bay but I'm not sure if it's compatible? My part number is 1K0920961B, the one I'm looking at is 1K0920960LX/002

If this is no good, has anyone had a cluster repaired? I'm not sure if you can recommend someone on the forum??

Thanks

[zollaf]

a used cluster is a minefiled. yes, you need to programme it,but you need the skc code from the old cluster, and the part number must be an exact match, and you need vag tacho or someone with autologic and the vw module.
best to send it to bba reman.