jon_bondy

I stored my 2008 TT Quattro outside for the winter, with the battery attached to a trickle charger. I just tried to start it, and while it cranks and fires immediately, it dies in a second or two. Local mechanics say that the immobilizer has been triggered, and the car needs to be towed in to be reset.

One thing I noticed is that the instrument cluster is entirely dark, and the tach is not responsive. This puzzles me. I checked some of the fuses, and the ones I checked are fine.

Could the "dead" instrument cluster be causing the car to behave as if the immobilizer was triggered? Other than the fuses, what can I do to diagnose this? I would prefer to avoid the flat bed if I can.

Thanks!