Instrument Cluster

**j4s0n88** · 25-09-2008,08:07 PM

Hi,
I had a diagnostic scan at a VW specialist on friday and im getting an Instrument Cluster fault, are these servicable? can any1 shed any more light on this fault?

I have a 2004 Mark 5 Golf, 1.9tdi and was wondering whether the odometer is repairable or a new one has to be bought? or can a second hand one be bought and coded into my car?

I get an error message when i start my engine on the speedo but this disapears after 2 minutes driving,.

**smokey0123** · 25-09-2008,08:17 PM

Can you elaborate more? what were the fault codes? what is happening with the speedo?

**j4s0n88** · 25-09-2008,08:22 PM

I wasnt told the fault code for the Instrument Panel, i was just told its coming up with a fault code.

The problem i am getting is when i turn my engine on, the centre screen on my odometer has a messege appear but it just says "Error" and flashes. This then flashes for around two minutes before it goes back to my mileage. The code would not clear, ive been told to get a new instrument pack coded into the car can cost alot of money.

I was wondering are the clocks servicable or can a second hand one be programmed to my car without problems?

Thankyou

**headache56** · 28-09-2008,10:58 AM

I had a different probelm which turned out to be a faulty ignition switch rather than a faulty instrument cluster. From this web site and checking out prices I remeber that a new instrument cluster was very expensive and having either a new one or a secondhand one involved recoding and hassle.

I Googled "VW"+"rebuild"+"instrument cluster" and a there were a couple of companies I could have sent my cluster off to (e.g. BBA remain) and the charge was less than £200 with no recoding necessary.

However, I did not find anyone who had used the service so I cannot comment on whether they are any good. Instead, I tried replacng the ignition switch first, and it worked.

My error messages were much more widespread than yours e.g. fading dash lights, brake fault warning etc.

If you can (i) ask the garage for the exact fault code they found OR (ii) get a fault code reader or (iii) get someone, with the kit, to run a VAGCOM check for you, you may get more tips on what to do.

Good luck.

**Will22** · 01-10-2008,12:59 PM

Instrument Clusters can be expensive, On parkers.co.uk it warns buys of the A3 to make sure it is not faulty as a replacement can cost £500!

**j4s0n88** · 01-10-2008,05:47 PM

Yes ive been warned it could cost £500 as well as coding into the car, but all the controls work fine on the pack so i was wondering whether the packs could be flashed or there not servicable.

**adamss24** · 02-10-2008,06:48 AM

Originally Posted by j4s0n88

Hi,
I had a diagnostic scan at a VW specialist on friday and im getting an Instrument Cluster fault, are these servicable? can any1 shed any more light on this fault?

I have a 2004 Mark 5 Golf, 1.9tdi and was wondering whether the odometer is repairable or a new one has to be bought? or can a second hand one be bought and coded into my car?

I get an error message when i start my engine on the speedo but this disapears after 2 minutes driving,.

You can get a second hand unit from a scrapyard and go to dealer for codding it to your car but it would cost you ! There are also guys who do mileage corection and they can also read the Seed Key needed. Once you have the seed key is a childs play with vag com or symilar diagnostic equipment. The procedure is on ross-tech site. There are cheaper options as well: felow forum member Eshrules does sell vag tacho interfaces wich claim that could read the seed key from most instrument clusters from VAG cars. Its a good ideea to get in touch with him for some advice !

**euroslap** · 02-10-2008,07:23 PM

BBA charge about £150-£200 and repair your clocks with a turnaround of 2-3 days.

**smokey0123** · 02-10-2008,07:33 PM

Originally Posted by adamss24

You can get a second hand unit from a scrapyard and go to dealer for codding it to your car but it would cost you ! There are also guys who do mileage corection and they can also read the Seed Key needed. Once you have the seed key is a childs play with vag com or symilar diagnostic equipment. The procedure is on ross-tech site. There are cheaper options as well: felow forum member Eshrules does sell vag tacho interfaces wich claim that could read the seed key from most instrument clusters from VAG cars. Its a good ideea to get in touch with him for some advice !

VAG tacho will not work with can-bus cars. K+can will work.

**j4s0n88** · 03-10-2008,03:32 PM

Thanks for the help, just had a look on ross-tech, i found a page about changing odometer in cars without immobilisers with a second hand one, but is it compatiable with cars with an immobiliser as mine has one? ill msg eshrules too.