Just a thought....cluster repair idea...
#1
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Just a thought....cluster repair idea...
Just was doing some thing and such which can probably be dangerous sometimes...but I got to thinking about all the funky TT clusters out there and their issues.
The majority of these issues have been found to be in the movement of the actual gauges themselves, warranting a new cluster or a rebuild of the existing unit.
Well...in looking at a thread that I had found on a "DIY cluster repair" which swapped the fuel gauge from one TT to another TT made me think further about DIY cluster repair and other options...
Has anyone ever tried to use a MKIV cluster as a "parts" cluster to repair non-working and/or bad movements in the way of the temperature gauge and fuel gauge on the TT? Or...perhaps, read below...maybe a B5 Passat cluster could be a good candidate and in MANY ways these clusters are certainly more plentiful and available than TT clusters are ...and for far less.
In particular...in most ways the 1.8T motor in operation and function between the ranges of chassis is very similar. Operating temperature should be damn close to the same across the platform with few exceptions. Therefore, it made me wonder if the movements within the gauge clusters themselves would be "that similar" that they could be used for repair purposes for our TT clusters.
Now, the fuel gauge would be an issue with the TT being 16.3 gal and the MKIV jetta at 14.5 gal. However, a B5 Passat fuel tank is rated at 16.4 gal. That could solve that issue there.
Not saying its for everyone...but for the cost of a new TT cluster and/or a rebuild it might be worth looking into for the possibilities at least. I think I'll try to find a B5 cluster and see how similar they are.
Of course...maybe someone else has already looked into this...just food for thought.
Joe
The majority of these issues have been found to be in the movement of the actual gauges themselves, warranting a new cluster or a rebuild of the existing unit.
Well...in looking at a thread that I had found on a "DIY cluster repair" which swapped the fuel gauge from one TT to another TT made me think further about DIY cluster repair and other options...
Has anyone ever tried to use a MKIV cluster as a "parts" cluster to repair non-working and/or bad movements in the way of the temperature gauge and fuel gauge on the TT? Or...perhaps, read below...maybe a B5 Passat cluster could be a good candidate and in MANY ways these clusters are certainly more plentiful and available than TT clusters are ...and for far less.
In particular...in most ways the 1.8T motor in operation and function between the ranges of chassis is very similar. Operating temperature should be damn close to the same across the platform with few exceptions. Therefore, it made me wonder if the movements within the gauge clusters themselves would be "that similar" that they could be used for repair purposes for our TT clusters.
Now, the fuel gauge would be an issue with the TT being 16.3 gal and the MKIV jetta at 14.5 gal. However, a B5 Passat fuel tank is rated at 16.4 gal. That could solve that issue there.
Not saying its for everyone...but for the cost of a new TT cluster and/or a rebuild it might be worth looking into for the possibilities at least. I think I'll try to find a B5 cluster and see how similar they are.
Of course...maybe someone else has already looked into this...just food for thought.
Joe
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I think I might just find a B5 cluster and dissect it to see what I find!
I think it is a "close enough" match and since they do share alot of the same parts from "the parts bin"...its def. worth the checking into! Just think about the cost reduction possibilities!
Joe
Joe
#4
Jeff Bipes did the pioneering work on this.....>>
He's got some other Audi cars and may be able to give you a heads up on whether parts are similar..
I assumey youre referring to his How too....><ul><li><a href="http://mk1tt.montebellopark.com/clusterrepair.html">Here....................</a></li></ul>
I assumey youre referring to his How too....><ul><li><a href="http://mk1tt.montebellopark.com/clusterrepair.html">Here....................</a></li></ul>
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Re: Jeff Bipes did the pioneering work on this.....>>
that is the DIY that I was referring to. I'll have to try and get ahold of him and see if he looked at this route. I think the prospects could be pretty good. Have a MKIV guy sending me a shot of the MKIV PCB board, particularly where the temperature gauge is, its connections, etc.
We already know that the needles will work with the number of MKIV guys that are looking for the TT style needles!
Its a start...we'll see what we find.
Joe
We already know that the needles will work with the number of MKIV guys that are looking for the TT style needles!
Its a start...we'll see what we find.
Joe
#6
I don't see what JB did though...
seems like he just got luckey to find movements that worked...?
My temp gauge seems to work fine, but my fuel would stay on full until it was ready to hit a half tank. Then it would just drop. I used about 4 bottles of that techron stuff which helped and it only gets hairy about mid tank. Full and empty are pretty good.
What's the possibility that some of the gauge problems are related to fuel sender problems too?
My temp gauge seems to work fine, but my fuel would stay on full until it was ready to hit a half tank. Then it would just drop. I used about 4 bottles of that techron stuff which helped and it only gets hairy about mid tank. Full and empty are pretty good.
What's the possibility that some of the gauge problems are related to fuel sender problems too?
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Re: I don't see what JB did though...
not sure...i think I'm going to go ahead and find a b5 or mkIV unit to mess with...preferably the b5 one. Especially since the capacities for fuel are inline and I have heard/seen very few probs with the mkIV/B5 units.
Joe
Joe
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#8
I doubt the fuel capacity has anything to do with it...
Senders are simple position sensiive rheostats . Full is full, Empty is empty..
<img src="http://images109.fotki.com/v775/photos/5/58883/2625494/DSCN3954-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images109.fotki.com/v775/photos/5/58883/2625494/DSCN3954-vi.jpg">
#9
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Guys...I picked up
A B5 passat cluster (and went with the closest to the correct capacity for the sake of being as close to the calibrated TT cluster itself) today at the pick a part....from a 99....for a whopping 21.50!!! So, the idea is to tear it down and see how close and/or hopefully IDENTICAL the actual gauge movement mechs are to the ones found on the TT cluster. Its only for investigating right now but if I stumbled onto a cheap/easy way to fix our broken cluster without having to find TT clusters themselves or buying new....or rebuilding; then I'll be happy.
My feeling with the calibration as well is that the capacities on these gauges may not be part of the gauge movements as well. I think the calibration of the gauge and/or setting the the "capacities" such as fuel is trimmed and calibrated through electrical voltage itself...which would still be in the cluster electonics (and would differ from model to model). However, in what I have read about cluster problems and in the DIY listed above by JP, it seems that the movements themselves are more found to be the culprit. So...if this works...no harm, no foul. May not be for everyone, but may present another, cheaper option.
I'll see what I find!
Joe
My feeling with the calibration as well is that the capacities on these gauges may not be part of the gauge movements as well. I think the calibration of the gauge and/or setting the the "capacities" such as fuel is trimmed and calibrated through electrical voltage itself...which would still be in the cluster electonics (and would differ from model to model). However, in what I have read about cluster problems and in the DIY listed above by JP, it seems that the movements themselves are more found to be the culprit. So...if this works...no harm, no foul. May not be for everyone, but may present another, cheaper option.
I'll see what I find!
Joe