Need Help, Instrument Cluster Does Not Work Completly Anymore

[tacoma]

Hey guys,

I am wondering why my instrument cluster does not work anymore completly. It happens a few days ago, the rpm counter and the speedometer indicator are not moving anymore. After that, the odometer, clock and the digital speedometer was also not working anymore. Another problem is the tiptronic display. The red light toggles between "D" and sometimes "2" or "4" while am driving. I already disconnect and reconnect the three connectors behind the instrument cluster. But it does not help. Attached you will find a picture of my instrument cluster. I have marked the working instruments with a green arrow, the not working with a red arrow.

Do you guys have any ideas what to do? Does anyone has a wiring diagramm of the cluster? Please send to tacoma1@gmx.net

I hope my cluster is repairable.

My ride:

1999 Carrera Convertible

Thanks for your help.

[judgejon]

fuses ok?

[tacoma]

Yes, i already check them.

[Loren]

And if you wiggle the ignition switch with the key in it? any affect?

Bad ignition switches can cause all kinds of strange electrical problems.

[tacoma]

And if you wiggle the ignition switch with the key in it? any affect?

Bad ignition switches can cause all kinds of strange electrical problems.

You mean i should wiggle the key while the engine is runnig, right?

[Loren]

Doesn't matter if it is running or not a bad ignition switch will often cause strange things to happen and even more strange things when it is wiggled.

[tacoma]

And if you wiggle the ignition switch with the key in it? any affect?

Bad ignition switches can cause all kinds of strange electrical problems.

@ Loren:

For my understanding, all instruments and displays with the red arrow in my attached pictures are using ABS-signal (except the clock :-)) from the wheels? could it be, that those sensors are sending "signal not valid" signals or no signals to the ECU of the instrument cluster ? The tiptronic is shifting normaly while i am driving. So i guess, the ABS signals are o.k.

[tacoma]

Doesn't matter if it is running or not a bad ignition switch will often cause strange things to happen and even more strange things when it is wiggled.

o.k. i will check that in a few hours at home.

[tacoma]

Doesn't matter if it is running or not a bad ignition switch will often cause strange things to happen and even more strange things when it is wiggled.

Just checked my ignition switch. Nothing happed while i was wiggling the key. Any other ideas?

[Loren]

You are likely going to need to put a PST2 or PIWIS tester on the car run diagnosis on the instrument cluster.

If you are lucky it is a loose connector - if not a bad cluster.

[tacoma]

You are likely going to need to put a PST2 or PIWIS tester on the car run diagnosis on the instrument cluster.

If you are lucky it is a loose connector - if not a bad cluster.

Where could this lose connector be located? Somewhere on the engine?

Edited May 9, 2010 by tacoma

[Loren]

No communication from the engine comes over the CAN network.

If there is a loose connection it is on the back of cluster.

Do a search here for how to remove the cluster and pay attention the description of the locking connectors.

[cmg011]

2003 Carrera 4 Cabriolet

Manual Transmission

62,000 Miles

Greetings:

For what its worth, I have been dealing with instrument cluster problems for the past few months and hopefully my experiences can save others from the considerable time and expense I have encountered in slaying this demon as follows:

- Instrument cluster experienced sudden failure in June 2010.

No Speed, Tachometer, Hazard Lights, Fuel Gauge, cluster lighting, etc. Odometer, Voltage, Turn Signals working. Oil Pressure registering incorrectly.

- Local independent scanned cluster for fault… found “P1601” can timeout. Unable to repair - Diagnosis charge: $100.

- Sent cluster to VDO authorized shop for repair. Unable to repair - Diagnosis charge: $0.

- Purchased "new" replacement instrument cluster from dismantler with 16 miles on odometer. - Cost: $800.

- Fault diagnosis/clearing and reprogramming new cluster by Rector Porsche/Audi. - Cost $300.

- Failure of newly installed cluster occurs within 100 miles after installation and programming.

- Purchased second replacement instrument cluster from dismantler with 17,000 miles on odometer. - Cost: $550.

- Fault diagnosis/clearing and reprogramming cluster #2 by Rector Porsche/Audi. - Cost $300.

- Failure of cluster #2 occurs within 300 miles after installation and programming.

- Car taken to electrical specialist to diagnosis underlying cause of failure. - Unable to determine cause: 11 hours labor- Cost $1,000.

- Car taken to Rector Porsche/Audi for diagnosis - Two weeks in shop to determine cause of failure. - Cost $1,100.

- CAUSE OF FAILURE DETERMINED TO BE FUEL LEVEL SENDING SENSOR. (Fuel dissolved wire insulation, exposing hot wire. Full tank of gas exposes bare wire to fuel resulting in spike to instrument cluster, (bypasses fuse block/fuses), thus destroying cluster. Known issue to PCNA, yet no TSB disseminated and only was identified after intervention by district manager).

- PCNA declines request from dealer for customer financial support.

- Sent damaged cluster to different repair facility - BBA Remanufacturing for repair. Unable to repair - Diagnosis charge: $30. (PCNA prohibits VDO from providing any schematics or documentation to third-parties).

- Purchased replacement instrument cluster #3 from dismantler with 20,000 miles on odometer. - Cost: $550.

- Fault diagnosis/clearing and reprogramming cluster #3 by Rector Porsche/Audi. Unable to reset mileage - Cost $300.

- Remaining task requires mileage reset. - Cost approximately $200.

Total Cost: $5,230 EXPERIENCE: PRICELESS

Moral of my sordid story ... If your instrument cluster fails, assume there is an underlying issue, (which may be linked to the fuel level sensor), prior to simply replacing cluster.

Christopher Stocker

[jayi836]

2003 Carrera 4 Cabriolet

Manual Transmission

62,000 Miles

Greetings:

For what its worth, I have been dealing with instrument cluster problems for the past few months and hopefully my experiences can save others from the considerable time and expense I have encountered in slaying this demon as follows:

- Instrument cluster experienced sudden failure in June 2010.

No Speed, Tachometer, Hazard Lights, Fuel Gauge, cluster lighting, etc. Odometer, Voltage, Turn Signals working. Oil Pressure registering incorrectly.

- Local independent scanned cluster for fault… found “P1601” can timeout. Unable to repair - Diagnosis charge: $100.

- Sent cluster to VDO authorized shop for repair. Unable to repair - Diagnosis charge: $0.

- Purchased "new" replacement instrument cluster from dismantler with 16 miles on odometer. - Cost: $800.

- Fault diagnosis/clearing and reprogramming new cluster by Rector Porsche/Audi. - Cost $300.

- Failure of newly installed cluster occurs within 100 miles after installation and programming.

- Purchased second replacement instrument cluster from dismantler with 17,000 miles on odometer. - Cost: $550.

- Fault diagnosis/clearing and reprogramming cluster #2 by Rector Porsche/Audi. - Cost $300.

- Failure of cluster #2 occurs within 300 miles after installation and programming.

- Car taken to electrical specialist to diagnosis underlying cause of failure. - Unable to determine cause: 11 hours labor- Cost $1,000.

- Car taken to Rector Porsche/Audi for diagnosis - Two weeks in shop to determine cause of failure. - Cost $1,100.

- CAUSE OF FAILURE DETERMINED TO BE FUEL LEVEL SENDING SENSOR. (Fuel dissolved wire insulation, exposing hot wire. Full tank of gas exposes bare wire to fuel resulting in spike to instrument cluster, (bypasses fuse block/fuses), thus destroying cluster. Known issue to PCNA, yet no TSB disseminated and only was identified after intervention by district manager).

- PCNA declines request from dealer for customer financial support.

- Sent damaged cluster to different repair facility - BBA Remanufacturing for repair. Unable to repair - Diagnosis charge: $30. (PCNA prohibits VDO from providing any schematics or documentation to third-parties).

- Purchased replacement instrument cluster #3 from dismantler with 20,000 miles on odometer. - Cost: $550.

- Fault diagnosis/clearing and reprogramming cluster #3 by Rector Porsche/Audi. Unable to reset mileage - Cost $300.

- Remaining task requires mileage reset. - Cost approximately $200.

Total Cost: $5,230 EXPERIENCE: PRICELESS

Moral of my sordid story ... If your instrument cluster fails, assume there is an underlying issue, (which may be linked to the fuel level sensor), prior to simply replacing cluster.

Christopher Stocker

Edited December 28, 2010 by jayi836

[jayi836]

Thanks for the advise and very expensive lesson has anyone seen this type of damage to the LCD on the digital displays? on a 99' 996 looks like the display is de-laminating or black coating on the inside being scratched from the inside