Basic Speedo information

[mark_sarah]

Hi all, i'm sure this question has been asked over and over again, but i have got to ask because i'm getting told so many different things. I just purchased a 99 Audi A3 1.8 Turbo sport, and the speedo does not work I was told it was more than likely the sensor on the gear box, so i replaced it, this did not sole the problem.
I was then told the speedo cluster needs replacing and it was a common fault. Rang a few places and was then told i need the part number from the back of my clocks, as these will have to be matched up! My part number is 8LO 919 930 H, i have been looking on ebay and phoned several places but cannot find a speedo that matches mine. I have found a few but the last letter is not the same!! What does the last letter mean?
I phoned my local main dealer, but they either are unsure or do not want to tell me..

 

[<tuffty/>]

Last digit (H in this case) typically indicates a revision but have seen it used to indicate a variant too... just to make it easy huh.... thanks VAG!!

Dealers are like that as they don't want to be held responsible if you get the wrong part because of their advice or if something else goes wrong... probably for the same reason you can't find a matching one... they aren't sure themselves...

If your dealer is local, go to the parts dept and just ask them to their faces. They should be able to show you on ETKA what part number you need and if there has been revisions of it.

<tuffty/>

 

[mark_sarah]

I have just been told by the main dealer the letter on the end is for added extras!!!

 

[<tuffty/>]

Figures... depends on the spec of the car if thats the case... the DIS may have been an option as that about the only 'extra' I can think of to do with a dash pod....

Someone may be along soon enough with access to ETKA (VAG parts list) and maybe able to help... if not, I know a few people with access to ETKA so could find out...

<tuffty/>

 

[mark_sarah]

The only thing i can think of is ABS, TC, are extras, though mine does not have them. Obviously the cluster would have to show that there on or off.. Does that make sense?

 

[<tuffty/>]

Controllers for those are elsewhere on the car IIRC. The dash would just have the indicators and prob still in place even if you don't have those extras on your car tbh...

<tuffty/>

 

[shark_90]

It does vary (which makes my life hard when doing dash swaps for people) but you will MOST LIKELY be OK so long as the rest of the part number matches up.

In this case however, be VERY careful who does the dash swap for you as most of the "mileage correction" specialists who claim to be able to do it will just copy your EEPROM from one to the other. If you have a slightly different new cluster to old then you could fry the new cluster. If they code it in properly (i.e. retrieve both SKCs, match it to the car, recode the keys, set your service information and correct the mileage) then it should be OK.

If you need any help, just shout.

 

[mark_sarah]

He has told me, he will not be touching the milage, he's just enabling it to work with my key and immobiliser. Is this reasonably easy to do?

 

[shark_90]

Not particularly easy without the correct tools no.

 

[mark_sarah]

Problem solved at long last.
I decided after wasting my money on numerous road speed sensors, and a replacement cluster, it must be a wiring issue.
I booked a week off work with the intention of removing my loom, and testiing. Cutting a long winded story short, i found a part of the loom that had worn through. When i investigated further 2 wires had worn through, and were touching.
After i cut, re-joined, heat shrinked, and re-fittted the loom, i got to test it to find my speedo was now working, the fuel gauge was no longer irratic, and the sub now works.
Hope this is a help to somebody, if you want more info please message me.