Lcd display faulty

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AndyUK

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Just picked up my 1998 A3 t sport and ive noticed the main lcd diplay seems to have some lines which do not illuminate correctly or at all, but the display itself shows all of the various things it should.

Any one got any ideas what it costs to repair this at audi?

(I have a 28 day warranty from the garage (not an audi garage) i purchased this from but not sure if they would cover this).
 
The LCD requires the whole dashpod/clocks to be replaced, something like £350+vat and labour, exchange! And it can only be done at Audi, as they need to get the right codes for it to work with your car!!
I just leave mine off, it's a PITA, but not worth the 500 notes or so just to see useless information imo.
 
It's a common fault. Fortunately mine is fine but it seems to come with the car's age so fingers crossed it holds.

Or did the later models have the fault fixed?
 
AndyUK it's not inbetween the top and bottom parts of the DIS is it? if so there's not meant to be any there...

otherwise, yes, its on its way out and hammer the warranty for it.
 
Mine is starting to go also.

I just keep it turned off to save the screen and view it when required.
 
how do i turn it off?? (and then back on again if i want to)?

Its only certain areas of the screen, like the 'g' in 'mpg' doesnt display properly, top right doesnt seem too clever either.
 
AndyUK said:
how do i turn it off?? (and then back on again if i want to)?

Its only certain areas of the screen, like the 'g' in 'mpg' doesnt display properly, top right doesnt seem too clever either.
Click to expand...

The reset button on the underside of the wiper stalk, press it to go off, and press again to come back on, only a quick press though, a long press resets the trip meters.
 
ive had my car for 2.5 years (now 6 years old) and its always had lines coming in and out, depending on its mood. Normally 1 or 2 lines are out at any given time. Its never got any worse during this period to be honest.
 
The thick vertical orange lines on mine fade depending on how hot the cabin is!

Can you not code a new dashpod using VAG-COM?
 
mine too :(

antone know which specific part is failing? maybe we can change just that part?
 
I didnt even know the 1998 A3s displayed mpg etc.

Ive got a 1999 & didnt know about it :( i guess mines knackered too then? i get all the usual digital mileage reading etc, bur no mpg etc.

Has anyone got any pics of what it should look like working?!
 
this is in my 98 a3 it does read mpg but its not there cos i wasnt doing ne miles (parked up) the end of the washers stalk is a button to scroll through the menu! can record trip info too!
 
Tallpaul said:
Can you not code a new dashpod using VAG-COM?
Click to expand...

Don't think so. It's got something to do with the vehicle mileage. May be wrong on that though....
 
Yeah, I've got a couple of horizontal lines of sometimes "dead" sometimes "live" pixels. Just depends on how the car is feeling, it doesn't seem to be linked to any one thing in particular i.e. cold mornings, wet conditions etc. Fortunately they are in places where there is not normally anything displayed. I do what others have recommended and normally just switch it off for a wee rest!
 
turbodan said:
I dont have a button on the end of my washers stalk :(

Its a 1999 A3 TDI

Strange huh?!
Click to expand...

Do you have DIS?

How do you reset things like average mpg?
 
My car hasnt displayed mpg since i bought it last year and thought only the facelift models had this feature.

If i wanted display info such as temperature etc, id have to display it on the air con/climate display with a combination of keypresses!
 
Ah excellent.

Getting 23mpg driving like a nutter and 30mpg normally.

Handy or useless? im not sure
 
Dont let the Audi garages fool you, the whole cluster does not need changing. Mine did exactly the same thing, worse on hot days, better on cooler days. Audi also said change the cluster, I thought forget it! I took it out, there's 3 plugs on the back. Turn it over, there's a few torx screws, take those out, and loosen the black clips which hold the clear face to the rest of the cluster.
What happens is the lcd display glass has a thin ribbon cable on its right hand side that powers the display, the bonding/glueing on this ribbon cable comes loose, doesn't make proper contact thats why the lines come and go.
Over the top of the display is a metal cover plate held on by 4 legs bent on the back of the pc board. Straighten these, and it comes off. WORK GENTLY!!!
Then you can remove the lcd glass. Be careful, don't loose the 2 pieces of plastic behind the lcd glass. IT WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT BOTH OF THESE.
Then, either take the lcd panel to a good electronic company to re-bond the ribbon cable for you, or find a place that makes and sells lcd displays.
Don't worry about the codes either, so long as you disconnect the cluster with the ignition off, once you plug it back, everything will work fine.

I did mine myself, just added 2 extra strips of thin rubber strip behind the lcd on either side, and made the metal cover press down slightly harder on the ribbon cable so it makes better contact, and it works perfectly. All in all, an hour or so's work.
 
Actually not difficult either to remove the clocks. Loosen the steering column adjusting lever on the left, pull it towards you and down, (you are going to need all the space you can get) tighten it again.

On top of the column right underneath the clocks is a small plastic cover, grab it and pull at it, it comes out relatively easy, there's no screws holding it in.
On the top of the cluster, is 2 x Philips screws, take these out (It helps if you have a very short screwdriver, it just a very difficult and tricky place to work). Then, pull at the top of the cluster, you should be able to get a finger in right at the top, and its not too difficult once you've got it loose.

Pull it down and towards you, then try look in the back, one of the cables is attached with a cable tie, cut it, (but obviously not the wiring it holds in place)
The plugs are difficult to get out, they are held in place by clips which fold over then clipping into place, almost like a stirrup. Do the closest one to you first so you can see how it works. Unclip it on the sides, then push it up and over the plug, this will actually lift the plug out of the fiiting, then its just a simple case of moving the cluster around till you can get it out.:thumbsup:
 
Yep I think this needs to be added to the FAQ, mines just started doing it with a line or two occasionally, I find it's mainly on lines that arn't used and only when the display hasn't changed very often, had the low coolant warning light come on the other day for about 20secs when it was freezing and that flashing away seemed to sort the problem for a while. I might have to give this a go when I get some free time.
 
No prob guy's. I think the degree of work you going to have to do will depend on how much of your ribbon cable has come loose from the side of the lcd display. I wasn't going to take chances, so took mine off completely, cleaned everything and put it back.
Something you could also try if you don't have thin rubber strip is the right sized cable tie. Just trim it to fit in neatly under the lcd so that the metal case squeezes the glass down onto the ribbon cable and the cable down onto the cable tie.
Mine worked first time (and for that I am SO thankful), but, you know how it goes. Just get that damn cable onto the glass as tight as you can, and your problems will be over.
Good Luck!
 
turbodan said:
I dont have a button on the end of my washers stalk :(

Its a 1999 A3 TDI

Strange huh?!
Click to expand...

Sorry to dig up a skeleton all but what can be done for people (such as turbodan and myself) that dont have the button at the end of the wiper stalk and the display is always off? I have the trip meter and total mileage on the right hand side inside the speedo but nothing in the middle dis.
 
Tequie said:
Sorry to dig up a skeleton all but what can be done for people (such as turbodan and myself) that dont have the button at the end of the wiper stalk and the display is always off? I have the trip meter and total mileage on the right hand side inside the speedo but nothing in the middle dis.
Click to expand...

****** all i believe as its probably linked to the ecu
 
FlyingBy said:
Dont let the Audi garages fool you, the whole cluster does not need changing. Mine did exactly the same thing, worse on hot days, better on cooler days. Audi also said change the cluster, I thought forget it! I took it out, there's 3 plugs on the back. Turn it over, there's a few torx screws, take those out, and loosen the black clips which hold the clear face to the rest of the cluster.
What happens is the lcd display glass has a thin ribbon cable on its right hand side that powers the display, the bonding/glueing on this ribbon cable comes loose, doesn't make proper contact thats why the lines come and go.
Over the top of the display is a metal cover plate held on by 4 legs bent on the back of the pc board. Straighten these, and it comes off. WORK GENTLY!!!
Then you can remove the lcd glass. Be careful, don't loose the 2 pieces of plastic behind the lcd glass. IT WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT BOTH OF THESE.
Then, either take the lcd panel to a good electronic company to re-bond the ribbon cable for you, or find a place that makes and sells lcd displays.
Don't worry about the codes either, so long as you disconnect the cluster with the ignition off, once you plug it back, everything will work fine.

I did mine myself, just added 2 extra strips of thin rubber strip behind the lcd on either side, and made the metal cover press down slightly harder on the ribbon cable so it makes better contact, and it works perfectly. All in all, an hour or so's work.
Click to expand...

This thread got quiet. Did anyone try this and have success? I am thinking about opening up my instrument panel and giving it a shot if it at least worked for someone??
 
ive been thinking about it too, but apart from FlyingBy, nobody seems to have had any luck doing it at all!

still, i may well whip my clocks out and see if it looks do-able.

mines always been bad sinse i bought the car, but its recently gotten worse to the point where i can only just read it!
 
audi upgrades
I just have mine switched OFF! I suppose it's pretty much ******** anyway, there's no harm in having a go at fixing it, something to do at the weekend methinks. :)
 
Got mine repaired by a company called dmcs pixel repairs, type that in google for there web address.

they specialise in pixel/lcd repairs for Audi and other makes, Bmw and Mercedes

i tried repairing it my self but seemed to damage the ribbon, they are so easy to come off. dan from dmcs replaced the lcd. they do repairs as well and carry spare lcds too.


very good service over all. :yes:
 
you got me all excited there jojo! then i clicked the link and found it was £200 :(

sodd that, id rather turn it off than pay £200 just to have a clear screen again :(
 
Prawn said:
you got me all excited there jojo! then i clicked the link and found it was £200 :(

sodd that, id rather turn it off than pay £200 just to have a clear screen again :(
Click to expand...

It's £200 from these guys, or around £550 from Audi to get it fixed! But I fancy the third option, which is DIY. :)
 
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