This Audi is the biggest headache yet/2 more questions/venting
07-19-2005, 01:01 PM
#1
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This Audi is the biggest headache yet/2 more questions/venting
Damn used car dealer is a lying pile of crap.
First up, I wanna get the 6 disk changer out of the back seat (car is a 2000 1.8T quattro coupe)
I don't want to pry on anything too much until i know where to pry, so whats the process to get it out. (it worked according to the dealer)
Also, if I buy an instrument cluster off a wrecked car, is it gonna work ok (assuming the part is good, there shouldn't be a problem putting it in a diff. car).
Im assuming im stuck with whatever milage the new cluster reads on the odo too, right? Never dealt with a digital one before.
I've had this car 2 weeks, think I can I make the dude cover the cost of a new cluster? When I test drove the car, the temp gauge would occasionally spike, and drop back to cool every few minutes. It was def. the gauge, not the car.
Dealer says he replaced the sender thinking that was the problem, and when it didn't, he said he would replace THE GAUGE before I came to pick it up if I bought it. This is a regualar used car dealer, not an Audi dealer. I highly doubt he replaced the whole cluster, so I would guess then he lied to me about fixing it.
Whats your opinions on this? If I had known it would be this troublesome, or expensive, I most likely would have kept my rusted out 89 S10 pickup on the road, its alot more reliable.
First up, I wanna get the 6 disk changer out of the back seat (car is a 2000 1.8T quattro coupe)
I don't want to pry on anything too much until i know where to pry, so whats the process to get it out. (it worked according to the dealer)
Also, if I buy an instrument cluster off a wrecked car, is it gonna work ok (assuming the part is good, there shouldn't be a problem putting it in a diff. car).
Im assuming im stuck with whatever milage the new cluster reads on the odo too, right? Never dealt with a digital one before.
I've had this car 2 weeks, think I can I make the dude cover the cost of a new cluster? When I test drove the car, the temp gauge would occasionally spike, and drop back to cool every few minutes. It was def. the gauge, not the car.
Dealer says he replaced the sender thinking that was the problem, and when it didn't, he said he would replace THE GAUGE before I came to pick it up if I bought it. This is a regualar used car dealer, not an Audi dealer. I highly doubt he replaced the whole cluster, so I would guess then he lied to me about fixing it.
Whats your opinions on this? If I had known it would be this troublesome, or expensive, I most likely would have kept my rusted out 89 S10 pickup on the road, its alot more reliable.
07-19-2005, 01:10 PM
#2
Clusters need to be set by the dealer...>>
Might be easier on a 2000 as you don't have to clone the immobilizer. Dealer needs to code it though. Figure $6-800. I would not buy a used one...Chances are slim to none that it will be problem free and work. Individual parts, gauges etc are not replaceable. It's all or nothing..
On the CD changer, the rear panel is held in by strong clips (7 i think) They need to be popped form the rear working forward. Do a search, the procedure has been detailed. (It's not real easy BTW)
On the CD changer, the rear panel is held in by strong clips (7 i think) They need to be popped form the rear working forward. Do a search, the procedure has been detailed. (It's not real easy BTW)
07-19-2005, 01:22 PM
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in addition....audi will ONLY code a brand new cluster. You can get a used one and have it coded by
someone offering thouse types of services. Expect to pay around $300 to have the mileage re-flashed.
07-19-2005, 01:25 PM
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when buying a used car from a shady dealer you should expect to fix a lot of things on it.
I actually think that the dealer is very helpfull...most would tell you to go away.
I really can't help but wonder if this car had a very bad history. Did you look into it at all? Did you run a carfax or check with Audi as to what this car has been through? Whats the mileage on it?
I really can't help but wonder if this car had a very bad history. Did you look into it at all? Did you run a carfax or check with Audi as to what this car has been through? Whats the mileage on it?
07-19-2005, 01:29 PM
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sorry, one more thing...not every cluster will work, you have to get the exact part match.
check with some other sources, but don't automatically assume that all 2000 clusters are interchangeable.
07-19-2005, 01:32 PM
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A used 00 cluster could be dropped in with no problems
You wold have to do the soft coding but that can be done with a vag com by anyone.
Mileage as stated could not be reset unless by as pointed out shady measures... and at that price just buy a new one.
Some clusters cost mroe then others. you will have to scan your current cluster with vag com and get the exact part number.
I'd put in a new temp sender first and really make sure they changed it.. that part is very common to fail, much more then a cluster.
Also Audi would code a used cluster to a car. By law though just as if they put in a new one on an older car that could not be programmed tehy would have to put the mileage change sticker inside the door. You can usually go to your state DMV also and get a similar sticker. In The case of the used cluster it would just say to add or possibly subtract from the number on the one being installed.
Mileage as stated could not be reset unless by as pointed out shady measures... and at that price just buy a new one.
Some clusters cost mroe then others. you will have to scan your current cluster with vag com and get the exact part number.
I'd put in a new temp sender first and really make sure they changed it.. that part is very common to fail, much more then a cluster.
Also Audi would code a used cluster to a car. By law though just as if they put in a new one on an older car that could not be programmed tehy would have to put the mileage change sticker inside the door. You can usually go to your state DMV also and get a similar sticker. In The case of the used cluster it would just say to add or possibly subtract from the number on the one being installed.
07-19-2005, 01:34 PM
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shady development....
lets say instead of fixing it, he faked it, in a way that could possibly damage the car. Do I have anything on my side to get money from this guy, or having him take the car back? Its been less then 30 days, but NY lemon law doesn't cover instruments.
I took the face off the cluster, and manually aligned the speedo to 0mph (it was about -10) also aligned the fuel gauge (was about 1/4 tank off). Touched the temp gauge to make sure it was moving free, and it is stopped at a little less then normal temp. Took the needle off, and there looks to be a stop glued on the back, so that it wouldn't ever read any higher. None of these gauge problems (other then the temp pegging) were there on my test drive, my guess is clumsey shop guys violating my car.
Im in the process of uploading pics so maybe you guys can varify it was tampered with.
BTW, theres 58,500 on the car, and carfax said it was pretty clean, one owner put on most of the miles, and after that, it bounced between dealers.
I took the face off the cluster, and manually aligned the speedo to 0mph (it was about -10) also aligned the fuel gauge (was about 1/4 tank off). Touched the temp gauge to make sure it was moving free, and it is stopped at a little less then normal temp. Took the needle off, and there looks to be a stop glued on the back, so that it wouldn't ever read any higher. None of these gauge problems (other then the temp pegging) were there on my test drive, my guess is clumsey shop guys violating my car.
Im in the process of uploading pics so maybe you guys can varify it was tampered with.
BTW, theres 58,500 on the car, and carfax said it was pretty clean, one owner put on most of the miles, and after that, it bounced between dealers.
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07-19-2005, 01:35 PM
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Re: sorry, one more thing...not every cluster will work, you have to get the exact part match.
checking with Force5auto.com
always been a big help to me in the past, he's got my vin, hopefully matching a cluster, and getting me a quote.
always been a big help to me in the past, he's got my vin, hopefully matching a cluster, and getting me a quote.
07-19-2005, 01:37 PM
#9
The problem is, now you've tampered with it...>>
Gonna be tough to prove who's the guilty party here.
Oh, and "manually aligning" a very sensitive electronic component is not the way to fix it. YOu could have done more damage than was there originally..
Suck it up, you need a new cluster...Whether the dealer pays or you do is up to your negotiating skilz...
Oh, and "manually aligning" a very sensitive electronic component is not the way to fix it. YOu could have done more damage than was there originally..
Suck it up, you need a new cluster...Whether the dealer pays or you do is up to your negotiating skilz...