Perpetual Novice

I've lived with this problem for many years but now I'm thinking to tackle it. at random times while driving, my instrument cluster loses power entirely. This is not just the dead pixels, tach and speedo go to 0 as well. Every comes back up a few seconds later, and the clock resets to 12 am 1/1/1999

So, has anyone else seen this problem or attempted a fix?

tozoM8

I would just unplug/clean connectors/re-plug themand see if it gets better. Takes 10 minutes.

Perpetual Novice

Thanks for the reply Tozo. You must have tiny hands, if you can do that in 10 minutes

I've done it a few times now, no real change in behavior, everything looks fine. I'm beginning to think ground connection. are the grounds all over behind the glove box?

silverd2

His hands are as big as cinder blocks and he stands over 8 feet tall!

AlinSBCA

I just had the exact same problem with my 2000 TT. I have been living with it for several months. Tried pulling the cluster, cleaning the contacts, etc, but the problem would come back.

Read yesterday to try pull fuse 11 and 15, so I yanked them out waited a few minutes, put them back in, and guess what......everything is back to normal. I just had to wiggle fuse 11 with the engine running and it seems to fix it. I can't say how long it will last, but it is worth a try.

Al

Perpetual Novice

Awesome! now, I just need to figure out the corresponding fuses in an a8.

silverd2

The only fuse I have listed for instrument cluster (wheel functions, park sensors, trip computer included) is #1 in the Yellow row 15amp (3rd row)...other than a seperate one for cluster illumination 5amp(#3 Red..2nd row).
Don't know if you have the same fuse block, though(?) ...mine's an '01 A8.

AlinSBCA

Both 11 and 15 say instruments.

I originally found 15 labeled instruments, and checked it but it was OK. I just read yesterday that there are two fuses. For me 11 did the trick.

al

silverd2

Thanks, but A8 has completely different fuse arrangement...5 rows, colored coded...plus another fuse block in the trunk.