Epileptic Instrument Panel, Then Meltdown

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Jun 23, 2002 | 05:57 AM

spi9959

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Epileptic Instrument Panel, Then Meltdown

Well, after only 3800 miles on the odometer, my 2002 180 had to be towed to the dealer. For the past week, in the mornings on starting the car, the instrument panel read-outs including speedo and tach were going crazy ... lights flashing and tach and speedo needles all over the place. After driving for a while, all would go back to normal. Last night, I couldn't get the car started. Actually, it would start and immediately die out like it wasn't getting any spark or fuel. Plus, the instrument panel lights remained on even though the car was off and the key out of the ignition. Weird! I really hope that this isn't a sign of things to come.

Jun 23, 2002 | 06:23 AM

?lueshirt

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Are you chipped?

Jun 23, 2002 | 06:39 AM

spi9959

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Re: Are you chipped?

Nope---no engine mods at all

Jun 23, 2002 | 10:58 AM

?lueshirt

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Hmmm

The exact thing happened to me. Turned out to be a bad solder joint between the chip and the ECU. Could possible be the same thing with yours, but the odds would increase if you had an aftermarket chip solder in.

Jun 23, 2002 | 04:44 PM

XTTASY

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Something as simple as a loose battery cable can do this. ...

a poor connection can cause very erratic voltage to the instrument cluster, ECU etc causing these kinds of things. I 've seen this before, not on a TT, but definitely woth checking...