A3 Cluster and Heating Controls not working

Hello, I hope I’m posting this in the right section, please move if it’s not right.

Audi A3 2.0 TDI 107k 2008.

3 weeks ago my cluster display and heating control stopped working. The car runs fine expect for this. Loads of lights stayed on whilst driving, lights that would usually go out when I start. The heater still worked if I shone a torch at the display just wouldn’t light up.

I spoke to a few garages and cluster repair online and they all said cluster is gone needs repairing. So I found a company online with decent reviews that would repair for £150. I was going to send it then 2 weeks ago the heater display came back on and then the next day everything came back on and worked as normal.

it didn’t last because yesterday it’s all off again I’ve checked the battery and fuses and it’s fine.
Is there anything I can check myself before taking out the cluster? Does it sound like the cluster is faulty or do I have a dodgy connection somewhere? Also is the cluster display and the heating panel related?

thanks in advance for your replies.

Thanks for your reply.

I did look about buying new clocks, they are pretty cheap on eBay but then I read they need to be mapped to the car and mileage etc and that can cost whereas £150 to repair my existing and straight swap, in theory.
I guess a scan is a good start but then again I read the code tells you you’ve a faulty cluster which I already know. Garage around here charge £50 just to put it on the machine, maybe I need to search as you said.

Is the cluster display related to the heater control display?

Thanks again for your reply.

Went back out this evening and everything back on again which makes me think it’s not a faulty cluster and rather a faulty connection/module somewhere along the way. Is there a module or something I can unplug and check the connection is ok? I know I need to get it read but I’m thinking of things I can check first.