I have a problem with my instrument cluster on my '07 Audi A8 4,2 TDI. It is intermittent.
Some times the car is fine. The problem can be active either when i start the car or it can occur any time while driving - and it can also go away any time.

What happens when driving is this:
All needles in the instrument cluster dies and all possible alarms start chiming. The alarms cycle for a bit, then all instrument cluster and all buttons in the whole interior go dark with a few exceptions:
- MMI works and operates fine
- ceiling lamp work (can be controlled by mmi) the automatic - --- transmission illumination works
- lock-indicator on the doors(i use auto-lock) works.
- parking brake indicator on instrument cluster works if parking brake is activated (!?)
Other than that its ALL dark. All buttons to MMI and AC-control are dark. I can however control it normally with the usual buttons functioning normally and using the MMI display.
For example window buttons are dark, but they also still work.
Exterior lighting and all MMI controlled functions works fine.
Turn signal works fine, but I get no indication that its on (no sound either).

If the problem is ON when i start the car, its just all dark, so same as described above but no alarms.

When it starts working again it goes back to normal function with one exception: The cruise control is dead until i switch ignition off and on again.

What I've done so far:
- I've checked and swapped all fuses
- I've checked battery voltage: 14.4V with engine running and 12,6 with ignition off (I have almost new battery)
- I've opened some floor carpets to check for moisture, didn't find any.

Any advice on where to go next?
I'm posting fault codes in next post.

I've started this new thread instead of hi-jacking another thread with a similar problem but apparently not the same. This is the other thread:
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho....php?t=2808059

 

Thursday,31,October,2013,19:30:45:34066
VCDS Version: Release 11.11.4
Data version: 20120807


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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chassis Type: 4E0
Scan: 01 02 03 05 06 07 08 09 11 31 15 16 17 18 19 1E 25 28 34 36
37 38 42 46 47 4F 52 53 55 56 61 62 69 72 76 77


00-Steering Angle Sensor -- Status: OK 0000
01-Engine -- Status: Malfunction 0010
02-Auto Trans -- Status: OK 0000
03-ABS Brakes -- Status: Malfunction 0010
05-Acc/Start Auth. -- Status: OK 0000
06-Seat Mem. Pass -- Status: OK 0000
07-Control Head -- Status: Malfunction 0010
08-Auto HVAC -- Status: Malfunction 0010
09-Cent. Elect. -- Status: OK 0000
11-Engine II -- Status: Malfunction 0010
31-Engine other -- Status: Malfunction 0010
15-Airbags -- Status: OK 0000
16-Steering wheel -- Status: OK 0000
17-Instruments -- Status: OK 0000
18-Aux. Heat -- Status: OK 0000
19-CAN Gateway -- Status: Malfunction 0010
1E-Media Player 2 -- Status: OK 0000
25-Immobilizer -- Status: OK 0000
28-HVAC, Rear -- Status: OK 0000
34-Level Control -- Status: OK 0000
36-Seat Mem. Drvr -- Status: OK 0000
37-Navigation -- Status: OK 0000
38-Roof Electronics -- Status: OK 0000
42-Door Elect, Driver -- Status: OK 0000
46-Central Conv. -- Status: OK 0000
47-Sound System -- Status: OK 0000
4F-Centr. Electr. II -- Status: OK 0000
52-Door Elect, Pass. -- Status: OK 0000
53-Parking Brake -- Status: Malfunction 0010
55-Xenon Range -- Status: OK 0000
56-Radio -- Status: OK 0000
61-Battery Regul. -- Status: OK 0000
62-Door, Rear Left -- Status: OK 0000
69-Trailer -- Status: OK 0000
72-Door, Rear Right -- Status: OK 0000
76-Park Assist -- Status: OK 0000
77-Telephone -- Status: Sporadic communication error 1000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine Labels: Redir Fail!
Part No SW: 4E1 910 409 B HW: 4E1 907 409 A
Component: 4.2L V8TDI G000AGMª0010
Revision: --H02--- Serial number:
Coding: 0011773
Shop #: WSC 02313 785 00200
VCID: 234529A8E250EA001C7

2 Faults Found:
005715 - Please check DTC Memory of ABS Controller
P1653 - 002 - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100010
Fault Priority: 0
Fault Frequency: 10
Mileage: 211568 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2013.10.27
Time: 17:28:54

Freeze Frame:
RPM: 630 /min
Torque: 109.2 Nm
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Duty Cycle: 0.4 %
Voltage: 13.91 V
Bin. Bits: 00001000
Torque: 253.5 Nm

005748 - Powertrain Data Bus
P1674 - 000 - Implausible Message from Instrument Cluster
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01100000
Fault Priority: 0
Fault Frequency: 1
Mileage: 211746 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2013.10.31
Time: 19:06:57

Freeze Frame:
RPM: 1785 /min
Torque: 292.5 Nm
Speed: 37.8 km/h
Duty Cycle: 32.4 %
Voltage: 13.60 V
Bin. Bits: 00101000
Torque: 565.5 Nm

Readiness: 0 0 0 0 0

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 03: ABS Brakes Labels: 4E0-910-517.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 517 B HW: 4E0 614 517 BC
Component: ESP 5.7 allrad H46 0510
Coding: 0008557
Shop #: WSC 45691 000 00000
VCID: 224B2CACFD4AE308171

1 Fault Found:
01826 - Sensor for Steering Angle (G85); Supply Voltage Terminal 30
000 - - - Intermittent

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 07: Control Head Labels: 4E0-910-7xx-07.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 731 L HW: 4E0 035 729
Component: Interfacebox H43 2860
Revision: 00000000 Serial number:
Coding: 0000001
Shop #: WSC 02313 785 00200
VCID: 2A5BC48C857A3B485F1

Part No: 4E0 910 611
Component: E0380 BedienteilH03 0040

1 Fault Found:
01317 - Control Module in Instrument Cluster (J285)
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100100
Fault Priority: 5
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 48
Mileage: 211746 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2013.10.31
Time: 19:05:55

Freeze Frame:
Bin. Bits: 10


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 08: Auto HVAC Labels: None
Part No SW: 4E0 910 043 B HW: 4E0 820 043 H
Component: KLIMAAUTOMAT 017 0450
Revision: 00000032 Serial number:
Coding: 0071891
Shop #: WSC 02311 785 00200
VCID: 1C371254DF2ED5F8DDD

Part No: 4E0 910 772 A
Component: Sitzluefter FS H02 010

Part No: 4E0 910 772 A
Component: Sitzluefter BFS H02 010

2 Faults Found:
00065 - Left Rear Footwell Heater (Z42)
012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01101100
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 22
Reset counter: 6
Mileage: 211568 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2013.10.27
Time: 15:42:39

Freeze Frame:
Voltage: 11.70 V

00066 - Right Rear Footwell Heater (Z43)
012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00101100
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 58
Reset counter: 45
Mileage: 211619 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2013.10.29
Time: 06:50:54

Freeze Frame:
Voltage: 13.40 V


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 11: Engine II Labels: Redir Fail!
Part No SW: 4E1 910 409 B HW: 4E1 907 409 A
Component: 4.2L V8TDI G000AGSª0010
Revision: --H02--- Serial number:
Coding: 0011773
Shop #: WSC 45691 150 82462
VCID: 234529A8E250EA001C7

1 Fault Found:
005748 - Powertrain Data Bus
P1674 - 000 - Implausible Message from Instrument Cluster
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01100000
Fault Priority: 0
Fault Frequency: 1
Mileage: 211746 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2013.10.31
Time: 19:06:57

Freeze Frame:
RPM: 1785 /min
Torque: 292.5 Nm
Speed: 37.8 km/h
Duty Cycle: 32.4 %
Voltage: 13.60 V
Bin. Bits: 00101000
Torque: 565.5 Nm


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 19: CAN Gateway Labels: 4E0-910-468.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 468 B HW: 4E0 907 468 E
Component: Gateway H11 0090
Revision: 11 Serial number:
Coding: FDFEFFDE2B3104
Shop #: WSC 02313 785 00200
VCID: 275D3DB89668062040F

2 Faults Found:
01303 - Telephone Transceiver (R36)
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100100
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 2
Reset counter: 41
Mileage: 211568 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2013.10.27
Time: 15:58:52

00381 - Databus Instrument Cluster
014 - Defective - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00101110
Fault Priority: 1
Fault Frequency: 2
Reset counter: 48


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 53: Parking Brake Labels: 4E0-910-801.clb
Part No SW: 4E0 910 801 C HW: 4E0 907 801 A
Component: EPB A32C0220 H02 0220
Revision: A32C0220
Coding: 0001031
Shop #: WSC 31712 136 102533
VCID: 1F4D2558CE38CEE038F

4 Faults Found:
02432 - Supply Voltage for Left Parking Brake Motor (V282)
011 - Open Circuit - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11101011
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 9
Mileage: 211760 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2013.10.31
Time: 19:32:47

Freeze Frame:
Voltage: 12.53 V
Count: 92

02439 - Right Parking Brake Motor Hall Sensor
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00110100
Fault Priority: 4
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 43
Mileage: 211616 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2013.10.28
Time: 15:25:24

Freeze Frame:
Voltage: 14.08 V
Count: 95

02596 - Rear Brake Pads Worn
008 - Implausible Signal
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01111000
Fault Priority: 6
Fault Frequency: 2
Reset counter: 2
Mileage: 211568 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2013.10.27
Time: 15:32:27

Freeze Frame:
Voltage: 10.87 V
Count: 61

02439 - Right Parking Brake Motor Hall Sensor
008 - Implausible Signal - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11101000
Fault Priority: 4
Fault Frequency: 10
Reset counter: 8
Mileage: 211568 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2013.10.27
Time: 15:32:27

Freeze Frame:
Voltage: 10.87 V
Count: 97


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


End ---------------------------------------------------------------------
I've cut away all reports that have "no fault code found".
The fault with the rear footwell heaters and parking brakes should not be reltated to this problem as they are older than my ownership of the car, and I've had it for a year.

 

The dealer replaced the cluster under warranty. I never had any issues since.

 

An update from me with further questions.

- Now the instrument cluster is dar pretty much all the time.
- Fault code only refers to instrument cluster.
- I've gotten hold of a 2nd hand instrument cluster off e-bay.

New problem: How to retrieve PIN-code from old and new instrument cluster? Is this even possible?

This PIN is needed to re-encode the new instrument cluster to the car, its and immobilizer issue.

This describes it further:
http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index...ument_Cluster)

 

There is no PIN code. Instrument Cluster has Component Protection and it has to be removed by a dealer. It has nothing to do with immobilizer either. Bigger problem is millage. It can't be adjusted to your real millage. If you are lucky it might be close.

 

Thanks for the comment, but this leads to more questions:

- If there is no PIN, is my information about PINs for older cars?
- Is there absolutely no way I can do this without going trough the dealer? (thats gonna cost me) Is there no cheap china-product that can save me?
- Will dealer be able to replace the old instrument cluster with the one from ebay, or will I have to order a brand new one? (milage is not a big issue for me, I'll just document it in the cars service documents)

 

Another question also:
- If I swap the instrument cluster, will my car run at all? (so i can den drive to the dealer and their work will be limited to software)

 

Only the dealer can remove the component protection, to remove it requires your car to communicate with Audi HQ in Germany directly. The component details are sent to Audi, and once verified that the replacement is not stolen or others the protection is removed by matching the component to the car.

 

Not sure about PIN information, but immobilizer is connected with instrument cluster on smaller Audi models.

There is software that can remove CP and adjust your millage offline (Abritus AVDI) but it is very expensive. You may ask independent mechanics about that, but it won't be cheaper than dealer. Dealers can't adjust millage on used cluster, but they can on a new one. You have to ask them if they want to install used one. It may be considered as tampering with millage.

 

Welcome! Especially coming with an answer instead with a question as usual new guys.