Replace instrument cluster

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Jul 18, 2015 | 05:21 AM

Eddie123

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Replace instrument cluster

Hello.

Has anyone tried to replace the instrument cluster in a A6 ? Mine is a 2001 model. It has the usual pixel fault on the center display.

My cluster has the imobilizer , and the small LCD screen.

Does anyone know if this cluster can be replaced, if I have the VCDS software? And also, is it possible to install a cluster with the bigger display on it ?

Thanks for all answers.

Jul 18, 2015 | 07:22 AM

SloopJohnB@mac.com

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Joined: Oct 2002

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From: Olney, MD

It's trivial if you STFA. Just remove it, send it out,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie123

(module masters or somesuch, google is your friend), pay your $65 or so and reinstall it.

That being said, welcome to the forum.

Jul 18, 2015 | 07:26 AM

johnkk

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Joined: Mar 2004

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You can send the cluster in and have the module replaced at several shops. Module Masters, BBA, etc. Takes a couple of days and costs much less than a new module. To replace the entire cluster, you have to recode it and you need the SKC Secret Key Code. There are some free programs that allow retrieval like vag commander. You need to be a techie computer user to do this without screwing things up. VCDS will work once you have the SKC, but VCDS will not recover the SKC.

I would pull the cluster and send it in, so you get your own cluster that is matched to the car. To pull the cluster, you pop off the little plastic cover over the steering column in front of the cluster to access two screws. They are very tight, do not mess up the heads. Then pull out the cluster and unhook the wires. There are DIY's on this site.

Jul 18, 2015 | 07:48 AM

Eddie123

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Posts: 32

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Quote:

Originally Posted by SloopJohnB@mac.com

(module masters or somesuch, google is your friend), pay your $65 or so and reinstall it.

That being said, welcome to the forum.

Thanks to both of you for the advice. I had a look at module masters website, and it is a bit more than 65USD, it is actually 150 USD, plus transport back and to. So I am not sure what the total bill will be ....

More expencive than i thougth, but at least I now have an option...

Jul 18, 2015 | 07:49 AM

Eddie123

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Audiworld Junior Member

Joined: Jun 2015

Posts: 32

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by SloopJohnB@mac.com

(module masters or somesuch, google is your friend), pay your $65 or so and reinstall it.

That being said, welcome to the forum.

Oh, and I just noticed, Module masters are in the US.... I am in Norway, maybe I can find a European company that do the same repair...

Jul 18, 2015 | 09:07 AM

SloopJohnB@mac.com

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Joined: Oct 2002

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From: Olney, MD

Maybe, but international mail might work too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie123

Oh, and I just noticed, Module masters are in the US.... I am in Norway, maybe I can find a European company that do the same repair...

Depends on how long you can be without your car. I think the immobilizers kicked in with 02 C5s but maybe earlier in Europe. Our 2K4.2A6Q did not have an immobilizer and I was able to drive it without the instrument cluster (of course without any instrument or speed/tach feedback…OLD SCHOOL.

You can try removing your cluster and see if you can start and move the car. If so, just package the cluster up with bubble wrap and ship it. Since you're neither exporting/importing it you should be able to do it without duty but you'll find out quicker than me.

A google search on lcd repair norway search string yielded:
LCD display pixel repair ribbon - instrument cluster OBC
They apparently do a lot of europe/middle east work. Check it out.

By the way; have you watched "Lillyhammer"?
Lilyhammer (TV Series 2012? ) - IMDb

Kind of funny, one of my friends from New York City is Norwegian extraction (she says her father was on the '56 Olympic ski jump team) and his skiing style proves it…he mostly just goes straight down, doesn't like to turn. I was 40 hours of paid instruction away from PSIA cert and ended up skiing with her mother who (says) really enjoyed learning how to carve on the new skis…they're both in their 80s.

Last edited by SloopJohnB@mac.com; Jul 18, 2015 at 09:11 AM.

Jul 18, 2015 | 09:09 AM

Eddie123

Thread Starter

Audiworld Junior Member

Joined: Jun 2015

Posts: 32

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Hey.

Yes, mine has the immobilizer, so I cant use the car with the cluster out ..
Maybe just have to sort something else out, cant be without my car ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SloopJohnB@mac.com

Depends on how long you can be without your car. I think the immobilizers kicked in with 02 C5s but maybe earlier in Europe. Our 2K4.2A6Q did not have an immobilizer and I was able to drive it without the instrument cluster (of course without any instrument or speed/tach feedback…OLD SCHOOL.

You can try removing your cluster and see if you can start and move the car. If so, just package the cluster up with bubble wrap and ship it. Since you're neither exporting/importing it you should be able to do it without duty but you'll find out quicker than me.

By the way; have you watched "Lillyhammer"?
Lilyhammer (TV Series 2012? ) - IMDb

Kind of funny, one of my friends from New York City is Norwegian extraction (she says her father was on the '56 Olympic ski jump team) and his skiing style proves it…he mostly just goes straight down, doesn't like to turn. I was 40 hours of paid instruction away from PSIA cert and ended up skiing with her mother who (says) really enjoyed learning how to carve on the new skis…they're both in their 80s.