audijim113

While I am working on the CEL problem (another thread), I found a guy parting out a 2002 A6 by chance. Nothing to do with the CEL but he is right around the corner from me. Will the instrument cluster from his 2002 A6 work in my 1999 A6?

Anyone know if this is compatible?

If this doesn't work, i was going to send my cluster to a place for repairs to the display which seemed pretty reasonable. However, with the cluster out, I can't drive. I found another cluster known to be bad for the same bad display thing. I didn't pay anything for it. It is from a 97 A4. It looks identical to mine except the speedo reads in KM (canadian car). I don't care about the km or if the display doesn't work. For that matter, i don't care if anything on it works as long as it will allow my car to start and drive until i get the repaired one back.

Anybody have info on this?

akabraham

To the best of my knowledge - this will not work (botht he A4 cluster nor the 02 A6 cluster) as a simple plug and play...

The clusters in many of the German / European OEMs, unlike our domestic stablemates, houses coding data that communicate with the ignition system.

However if you are able to "recode" the keys to the new cluster you ought to be good to go.

Good Luck!

Boston Driver

I actually think you "can" drive with the cluster out, since the 1999 A6 was not equipped with the Immobilizer III. However, the bigger question is "should" you drive with the cluster out? You will not know how fast you are going, and your odometer will no longer be accurate (which may impact resale down the road).

Module Masters has a great fix for the center display, but yes, it may take a few days (even with overnight shipping). I've seen the repairs, and it is worth fixing it if you have missing pixels.

4Driver4

We ran the A6 an a donor cluster from an 00 A4 while the original was being repaired. If you don't mind half the stuff not working and a bunch of warning lights on, you can probably do it.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

Can't drive? Wimp? My 2K 4.2 ran just fine w/o the cluster. Of course, you don't know how much gas you have, how fast you're going, etc., but otherwise works just fine.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

2nd.

audijim113

Thanks. Mileage? resale value? This is a 10 yrs old car with 190K on the clock. Does anyone you really think a week driving around town is going to drastically alter the value?

As for knowing how fast I am going, "I don't need no stinking speedometer" Thanks. As soon as my plate is empty, I'll take it out and see if it fires up.

4Driver4

Some VAG cars require the cluster for the alternator to charge. The car will start and run, you should verify that the alternator is working or you might end up on foot.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

EZ to check...just slap a voltmeter on the battery and look for 14.2v

4Driver4

Agreed. Easy to check and foolish not to.