NexxTT

please read all posts below and discuss with tech the root cause of these erratically reported problems. We'd all like to know. There probably are a few errant clusters, but bet there are other external factors in most of these cases. (Btw, the battery drain is indicative of a short or ground drain - perhaps in the cluster, but more probably somewhere in the harness/attachments.) Please drill your tech on this and let us all know. If he tells you it's the cluser..get the tech bulletin, scan and post please.

NexxTT

if it is the cluster, it is a shielding problem allowing access to far too much "street noise interence," which trips the software run or earlier mentioned electrical connection/ground inconsistencies which can do same.

The newer clusters more likely do contain software updates which may help "jump" over the problem or fix software leaks and perhaps update some of the just-plain-kludgy MSFT type software builds. (Hey, that's JPK, JPC.)

Sorry about all this ranting and rambling, but the problems don't exhibit what some customers are being told.

NexxTT

Let "your" dealer -sp

Lone Starr (Ivan)

When I had mine fixed, another TT was there for a similar problem. They actually figured out how to d/l in miles on the other TT, but not before going through 3 clusters. All 5 clusters had different software rev levels!

I do not have the Techline issue number, as that is even proprietary for me to get a hold of. I personally discussed this with an engineer with AoA southeast region and AoA Florida region.

Other than that, yes, in some cases it was a loose wiring harness into the cluster.

The only other leg I have to stand on is my credibility here on the Forum.

But if we have to agree to disagree, that's OK, too.<p>Ivan
<i>Jacksonville, Florida<i>
<img SRC="http://www.geocities.com/y2ktturbo/tinytt.jpg" BORDER=0>
"Zorro" 2000MY, 180hp, Fronttrak, Silver/Ebony, MKII suspension, spoilTT,
K&N, Garmin EMap GPS, Colgan "mask" on order, Audi roof rack, Cobra R/D

NexxTT

your descriptions are only cloudy.

My point is, if the basic software were the problem, why would early builds and mid-term builds as well as new builds not all exhibit the same root problem. (I know the obvious.)

If the software builds are that variant and prone to explosion...let's ALL get ready for the REAL unintended acceleration to exhibit itself soon. Drive by wire, right? Software, right?

Ivan, there are problems obviously, but isolated ones, I'm sure you'd agree. Just like rev x.02 often fixes problems in x.0 or x.01, but you'd have to admit, the greater likelyhood is external causes.

What DID AoA tell you? Tell us.

I guess TTNancy is really blessed not to have had any of the problems I keep hearing about here on the forum...read, most seem to be isolated problems. This is an opinion I've formed by virtue owning a dozen VAG autos (mostly Audi) since 1981.

Maybe we disagree on this issue. In the final analysis, it's likely both of us are in some part correct. And likely some of the complaints are driver related understanding or errors in handling a somewhat complicated automobile.

But, once more, with your myriad problems - CHECK THE DEALER. I know you're friends with a couple of the techs and the parts guy, but face it, some people are just not as competent as others.

Have a good one. :-)

Lone Starr (Ivan)

replaced." I was clearly given the impression they are the weak spot of the cars, period.

Do you want me to name names? I won't. I have an informal non-disclosure agreement and my info stream and other perks dry up if I disclose source or attributable quotes.

Why are you riding me about this? What constructive purpose does it serve?

Written with a quizzical look on my face, since I thought that 1. we were buds and 2. that I had a high level of credibility here, based on very consistent correct information.

Please elaborate on the level of detail you are looking for.

Respectfully,<p>Ivan
<i>Jacksonville, Florida<i>
<img SRC="http://www.geocities.com/y2ktturbo/tinytt.jpg" BORDER=0>
"Zorro" 2000MY, 180hp, Fronttrak, Silver/Ebony, MKII suspension, spoilTT,
K&N, Garmin EMap GPS, Colgan "mask" on order, Audi roof rack, Cobra R/D

Lone Starr (Ivan)

them incorrectly first and then corrected myself.

I did not have a wiring harness problem with my cold-start stall issue. It was a single wire that goes into the collant temp sensor that was making intermittent contact. ExTTreme can further detail this wire, as he has actually seen it.

All 2000MY US TT's had a grounding problem that caused the "no-unlock, overhead lights stay on condition" Larry and I personally showed this to an Audi engineer who passed it on to his Florida region counterpart who passed it on to my service department locally who fixed it. This is corrected for the 2001 MY, according to the service and parts managers at my dealership. They have added checking this to the checksheet for prep. I think this was yet another ground wire attached to the frame after it had been painted. (DUH! on Audi!)

I also had a short in the rear left taillight assembly very soon after delivery due to the position that a wiring harness was tucked in. It would rub a wire raw causing a short.


So, I agree and have seen lots of evidence to support your position that TT's are historically bad with grounding and wiring harness issues. I just wanted to clarify things about my cold-start stall issue.<p>Ivan
<i>Jacksonville, Florida<i>
<img SRC="http://www.geocities.com/y2ktturbo/tinytt.jpg" BORDER=0>
"Zorro" 2000MY, 180hp, Fronttrak, Silver/Ebony, MKII suspension, spoilTT,
K&N, Garmin EMap GPS, Colgan "mask" on order, Audi roof rack, Cobra R/D

NexxTT

however, in the future, I'll remember that maybe only Ivan is perfect. ;-)

You may wish to reread my post as I said historically AUDI has had electrical and grounding problems. This issue was revealed to me by the dealer prior to purchase of my 1981 5000 and I've witnessed it from time to time throughout the lines unto today, including, but not exlusive to the TT.

NexxTT

and in answer to your query, no, names are not necessary, Ivan. I trust you, believe you and stand for-the-most-part corrected and apolgize so humbly herewith. If you desire, apology here for ever having questioned you also.

However, one is compelled to ask since you now reveal you are so close to Audi why do YOU ask for help, TTTherapy, etc. from the board? Shouldn't you be able to get this sorted out, yourself? Your long history with the board I'm sure is a stellar one and you are very helpful to oh so many posters, but I simply don't feel the final chapter on this clusterf*ck has been written. And you cannot deny bad wiring/grounding/attachments are indeed part of some of the reported "cluster problems" to date. At least I've seen posts here that lead one to another conclusion - that wiring or grounding problems were indeed at fault and not yet another bad cluster/bad software as you are wont to blame repeatedly and without question.

It distresses me to see that you or anyone else would have such problems with the TT, but with the growing number of TTs in existence and the relatively limited number of problems revealed here on this board, most (not all) of your problems do not seem of endemic proportions. Yet your posts seem to nail them as such and condemn them to such a category...or maybe I'm reading your tone wrong.

FWIW (and probably as soon as I write this things will change), in refutation to the Audi engineer and your blanket statement, and in-part what I base "my experience and beliefs" on is the fact that I OWN two of the cars you listed above with combined mileage in excess of 140,000 miles and have had NO instrument cluster problems. How does one explain this, but to question the opposing view?

Just a thought, Ivan. Remember, the TT is a cutting edge mechanical beast, assembled by humans, not all of whom achieve the degree of perfection we'd all like. In living with the cutting edge, one is forced to live with initial errors and problems often inherent in new products and systems. (Hey MSFT hasn't yet gotten it near-right in 19 years of trying...and its the richest and most powerful company on earth by some reckoning.)

I'd like to think we are friends. We just disagree on this issue and the omnipotent tone with which it was initially addressed in your post.

Personal apologies for the testy questions and beliefs, but...tenth straight day of rain and no fun TT driving, I guess has me a little out of sorts. Again, I apologize for the aggressive posts. I'm going to go kick the tires on my A6 for aggression release in a moment.

TTNancy and NexxTT's best wishes to Evi and Ivan for a wonderful fourth. :-)


P.S. Your dealer is NOT perfect...they screwed up the software transplant, remember? (How many times?) And while they blamed it on Audi software, we all know what that excuse is worth, right? - GIGO! Have you ever had that heart-to-heart with the sales guy about all your concerns? All it will take is buying him lunch.

:-), :-), :-), :-), :-) Relax, un-obsess, dude. Have a good one.

Just Plain Cliff

Hey NexxTT...Evi is mine, Nancy is yours, and ALI is Ivan's...for the record