Fuel and temperature gauges, dash llights not working since engine work

pauly8888

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Hello All.
I was wondering if anyone else here has experienced similar problems to mine. I have searched forums for about 3 days, but can't find the answers I'm looking for.

I had some engine-work done by my local/friendly/usually great garage, (oil seal...had to remove gearbox..)
Audi A3 2001 1.9TDi
Since then, my dash lights aren't working properly. Fuel says empty even though it's full. Temperature gauge is sitting at its lowest point. Speedo and Tach are ok. Warning lights are ok, I think. By dash lights I mean, the lights that light the dash when you turn on the headlights. They come on, but are at their dimmest and they won't adjust to brighter. Also, the lights that illuminate the switches, such as heated rear window aren't lit in the dark.

When I switch on the ignition, the fuel/temp gauges move half a centimeter, so I know there is power there. The big petrol pump warning symbol comes on in the centre of the dash and bleeps. After about one minute, the dash illumination lights and the odometer reading and clock start to flicker brighter/dimmmer/brighter...This goes on for about 30 seconds.
Car doesn't drive any different.

I'm thinking that the ECU/computer needs resetting. Because of the flickering of the dash after the ignition has been on for a minute. It's as though the computer is 'doing something'. The flickering doesn't happen again while driving.

I've pulled fuses and they are ok. I've pulled them/turned the key and put them back.
I've tried resetting ECU by removing battery terminals/leaving half an hour/putting them back/negative first/positive first/turning key to first position for 5 minutes/turn off/idling 5 minutes...Nothing works. I've tried 4-5 times.

Any ideas, anyone?
 
Hello All.
I was wondering if anyone else here has experienced similar problems to mine. I have searched forums for about 3 days, but can't find the answers I'm looking for.

I had some engine-work done by my local/friendly/usually great garage, (oil seal...had to remove gearbox..)
Audi A3 2001 1.9TDi
Since then, my dash lights aren't working properly. Fuel says empty even though it's full. Temperature gauge is sitting at its lowest point. Speedo and Tach are ok. Warning lights are ok, I think. By dash lights I mean, the lights that light the dash when you turn on the headlights. They come on, but are at their dimmest and they won't adjust to brighter. Also, the lights that illuminate the switches, such as heated rear window aren't lit in the dark.

When I switch on the ignition, the fuel/temp gauges move half a centimeter, so I know there is power there. The big petrol pump warning symbol comes on in the centre of the dash and bleeps. After about one minute, the dash illumination lights and the odometer reading and clock start to flicker brighter/dimmmer/brighter...This goes on for about 30 seconds.
Car doesn't drive any different.

I'm thinking that the ECU/computer needs resetting. Because of the flickering of the dash after the ignition has been on for a minute. It's as though the computer is 'doing something'. The flickering doesn't happen again while driving.

I've pulled fuses and they are ok. I've pulled them/turned the key and put them back.
I've tried resetting ECU by removing battery terminals/leaving half an hour/putting them back/negative first/positive first/turning key to first position for 5 minutes/turn off/idling 5 minutes...Nothing works. I've tried 4-5 times.

Any ideas, anyone?

Could it be bad earths as they have probably disconnected few a scan with vcds would be handy for you.
 
I took the battery out yesterday and looked at the Earths there. I unscrewed a couple, but they looked ok, so I left alone.
 
An 'auto-electrician' looked at the car today. He couldn't find any 'faults'.
Someone with a little knowledge needed!!:scared2:
 
Where are you? any faults? still say bad earth. could have spiked on battery reconnection though, could send the cluster to bba reman for checking.
 
Near Newcastle upon Tyne.
I'll check all the Earths I can find.
 
Even if the earths look ok clean them up. i had the same issue when my engine was replaced. Also check connections on rear of dash, make sure the clips that pull the plug in are working properly.
 
Ok Thanks for the advice.
Where do you mean...rear of dash? Do you mean under the scuttle trim in the engine bay?
 
When I put the key in the ignition (without turning it) the dashlights shine bright (with the headlights on). When I turn the key to position 1 the dashlights go dim and the fuel empty beeper sounds. If there were bad Earths somewhere, the dashlights wouldn't go bright at all.
 
When I put the key in the ignition (without turning it) the dashlights shine bright (with the headlights on). When I turn the key to position 1 the dashlights go dim and the fuel empty beeper sounds. If there were bad Earths somewhere, the dashlights wouldn't go bright at all.

How is your battery what's its voltage and if you jump start it does it make any difference, bad earths would be more evident under load.

also are your battery connections tight
 
Battery is fine. Doesn't lose charge. Never needs a jump start. Connections are tight.

With the key in the ignition (not turned to any position AND headlights on), the battery is under more or less the same load as when the key is at Position 1.
 
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i have a couple of dash clocks, part numbers 8P0920950C TDI
8P0920980P TDI FULL DIS, im not convinced they are your problem but if your car drives ok and your willing to travel id be happy to code them in to your car and try. only cost to you would be your fuel if they dont work.
 
Thanks for the offer, @udi A3, but the Speedo and Rev Counter are working fine. It's the fuel and temp gauges that don't work.