A6 Avant 2.5 TDI dashboard lights

[Rojosa]

Newbie with a question I cannot answer. On my 96 2.5 TDi, I took a long drive last weekend, and came across an new "warning?" on my dash. Where the miles till empty output usually resides, i suddenly started reading 2.00 (and then a symbol I could not read coz the dash does not light that part of the screen). After about an hour, the numbers shifted to 3.00, then an hour or so later 4.00.

It sounds like it is an engine clock since turn on, except that it is about an hour advanced (2.00 appears after about an hours driving).

Could someone tell me (1) what these number s signify (2) how do I get rid of them and (3) how to I get my screen to display without dimming at the edges (worsens over the time the engine is running).

I can see nothing on the forum highlighting this previously (apart from dashboard dimming issues), and nothing in my log book or the web in general.

Many thanks for your help,
Rojosa

[mhobson]

I think that the computer is telling you that you have been driving for two hours and you should maybe take a break. If you just push the button on the end of the stalk to change to a different readout it will disappear but reappear at three hours with 3.00 showing. This should be described in the Audi handbook. The contacts on the screen display deteriorate with age and damp, but then don't we all!
Regards,

Michael

[Rojosa]

Michael,

Thanks for your help. I confess that I tried desperately to get the hours to disappear, but no-matter how much I twisted/depressed/pulled on the stalk at the dashboard, the numbers failed to go away. As soon as I stopped the car, everything was fine and back to normal, which is why I suspect you are right. Not sure what I am doing wrong in trying to make the "hours running time" go away though.

[A6Rod]

Hi,
There is a reset button on the underside of the stalk. Once you have been driving for more than two hours the computer is suggesting you take a break. Tiredness kills etc.....

[Rojosa]

Thanks for the info on the reset: tried everything (while driving). which brought up a host of alarm lights that were not "alarming" (I guess this is the display check feature?), but when that went away, back came that blinking clock face....guess big brother owns an Audi too?