Knife

WTF?!?!

I removed the gauge cluster in my '04 S4 to clean out some dust in it (key not in ignition during process) and when I re-installed it, I now get and airbag fault and the center display (but not the mileage) comes up in German.

VAG-COM is telling me the airbag controller does not match the vehicle chassis/VIN number. Huh?

Somewhere I used to have the codes to do a lot of this stuff AND a simplified instructions (i.e. "If the code is 009724 and the instruction you want to activate is +0002, then you add "2" to the fourth number, the "7" and so the new code should be 009924"), but I can't find them.

Does anyone know what the VAG-COM code is to make the center display of the instrument cluster English.

Also, does anyone know why all of the sudden my car is telling me my airbag controller is incorrect - or how to fix it?

Thanks in advance.

Knife

Well, the airbag light on the dash went off, by itself, but VAG-COM is still telling me that the airbag control module is "incorrect for this chassis number" which can't be the case, since it's the same instrument cluster I took out of the car a couple of hours before.

Also, now all the gauges try to pin their needles to zero, really hard on key on - like the whine and shake against the needle stops - and it keeps burning instrument cluster fuses now.

WTF??

Does anyone know what is going on with my car now?

I didn't do anything but unplug the gauges and plug them back in and the gauges are completely freaking out, now.

Does anyone know what the standard coding is for module 17 "Instruments" on a 2004 S4 (no nav) with the 6 speed?

Again, thanks in advance.

Theresias

Post a complete Auto-Scan from the vehicle in question.

Knife

I already know about the misfire. It's a bad coil and is being taken care of.

It seems like every time I turn the car on, something else goes wrong with the gauges (related to the control module). First, it showed an airbag light and displayed the start-up screen in the center of the gauge panel in German. Then, the airbag light went away (by itself) but as I went to re-code the thing to display in English, it all of the sudden started leaving the radio on, showing a little fuel icon flashing by the fuel filler door on the car graphic.

Worst of all however, it that it is pinning the gauges against the zero-stops - hard - on key-on and blowing fuses. It's all the sudden sending way too much voltage to the gauges and they are freaking out and then popping fuses.

Nothing on the car has changed. No components. Not the gauges, not the control module. Nothing.

Any ideas?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

VAG-COM Version: Release 409.1-US


Chassis Type: 8E - Audi A4 B6
Scan: 01,02,03,08,09,15,16,17,26,36,37,45,46,55,56,63,76

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine
Controller: 8E0 910 560 A
Component: 4.2L V8/5V G 0020
Coding: 0007711
Shop #: WSC 63351
1 Fault Found:
16687 - Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
P0303 - 001 - Upper Limit Exceeded
Readiness: 0110 1101

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 03: ABS Brakes
Controller: 8E0 614 517 Q
Component: ABS/ESP allrad 3033
Coding: 04595
Shop #: WSC 06435
No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 08: Auto HVAC
Controller: 8E0 820 043 AC
Component: A4 Klimaautomat 1319
Coding: 00000
Shop #: WSC 63351
2 Faults Found:
01206 - Signal for Duration of Ignition: OFF
27-00 - Implausible Signal
01794 - Control Module Incorrect Chassis (VIN) Number
35-00 - -

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 09: Cent. Elect.
Controller: 8E0 907 279 F
Component: int. Lastmodul RDW 0517
Coding: 00011
Shop #: WSC 00000
2 Faults Found:
01800 - Light Switch (E1)
27-00 - Implausible Signal
01794 - Control Module Incorrect Chassis (VIN) Number
35-00 - -

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skipping Address 15-Airbags

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 16: Steering wheel
Controller: 8E0 953 549 N
Component: Lenksáulenmodul 0611
Coding: 02041
Shop #: WSC 63351
3 Faults Found:
01317 - Control Module in Instrument Cluster (J285)
49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent
01304 - Radio
49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent
01794 - Control Module Incorrect Chassis (VIN) Number
35-00 - -

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 17: Instruments
Controller: 8E0 920 980 M
Component: KOMBI+WEGFAHRS. RB4 D37
Coding: 01200
Shop #: WSC 12345
13143 AUZ6Z0C0249623
No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 36: Seat Mem. Drvr
Controller: 8E0 959 760
Component: Sitzmemory R2 F 0305
Coding: 00002
Shop #: WSC 63351
3 Faults Found:
00668 - Supply Voltage Terminal 30
06-10 - Signal too High - Intermittent
01317 - Control Module in Instrument Cluster (J285)
49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent
01794 - Control Module Incorrect Chassis (VIN) Number
35-00 - -

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 46: Central Conv.
Controller: 8E0 959 433 BB
Component: Komfortgerát T7B 1411
Coding: 11788
Shop #: WSC 63351
2 Faults Found:
01317 - Control Module in Instrument Cluster (J285)
49-00 - No Communications
00962 - Alarm via. Tilt Sensor
35-00 - -

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 55: Xenon Range
Controller: 4Z7 907 357
Component: dynamische LWR D09
Coding: 00060
Shop #: WSC 63351
No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 56: Radio
Controller: 8E0 035 195 H
Component: symphony II NP2 0400
Coding: 01005
Shop #: WSC 04864
3 Faults Found:
01317 - Control Module in Instrument Cluster (J285)
49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent
00466 - Control Module for Steering Column Electronics (J527)
49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent
01305 - Databus for Infotainment
49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent

End --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Theresias

Ok, the scan reveals it. Typical and known problem, that sort of clusters had software issues and apparently yours decided that its now time to trigger that problem. A repair is not feasible so I suggest you settle for a new cluster (don't bother with a used one!).

Knife

That's it?

This is just a known, bad cluster problem?

The car is out of warranty. Am I going to have to pay for a new cluster (how much?) or, does Audi acknowledge the problem?

BTW, thanks very much for the replies (as depressing as the info is...).

Theresias

There is an official technical product information on this problem, but once the car is out of warranty there is usually not much you can expect from Audi.

Knife

Wow, that's nice...

Is there any way you could post the contents of the "unofficial" tech article on the problem? I'd like to see what it says.

Should I be trying to get the later gauge cluster, as I know they changed them in the middle of 2004 (there are two different part numbers, depending on the car's VIN)? Do you know the proper part number for a "good" gauge cluster?

Again, thanks very much for your replies.

Theresias

http://erwin.audi.com should have the document in question.

Based on your original part number 8E0-920-980-M the proper replacement part would be 8E0-920-981-GX.