Instrument Cluster Woes

I recently took a B4 out of storage and the instrument cluster was dead. Backlights work, and I cleaned all ground points on the vehicle.

I put a cluster in from another B4 to test and that cluster worked great which leads me to believe the cluster is bad, maybe the voltage regulator.

I finally found a shop that would agree to fix the cluster, but after a week they said they couldn't fix it. I checked around and no clusters were found on car-part.

I really just want to get the car up and running, and I need to have the mileage checked by the BMV so I need a working cluster.

Does anyone in the forums work on these anymore? My soldering skills are poor; I'm afraid I'll damage it.

I'm also open to buying a used one if I can find one.

Thanks guys

Not anymore unfortunate.

Fortunay other than setting the odometer, they can be repaired with just a few tools including a soldering iron.
Get a temp controlled soldering stick and practice. It's not too difficult.
I do have one from my Jetta, not sure if they are I interchangeable.

I get mine repaired with Derek White, Chubb's Auto Repair, Taylorville, IL

TDI Jim said:

I get mine repaired with Derek White, Chubb's Auto Repair, Taylorville, IL

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Derek is done also, and I believe that Chubb's has closed down, at least according to Mark it has.

Steve

The person who bought Derek's cluster repair equipment is not up and running yet, unfortunately. I do not know when that will be, but their intent is to pick up where Derek left off.

Thanks for the suggestions. This from the cluster tech:

We did look at your unit and found it had correlated issues with a failing microprocessor which means it has data hardware issues we weren't able to repair. Normally this particular type of cluster suffers from blown diodes that cause physical damage to the board that we can address and repair but your cluster had no noticeable physical damage paritc9iulary in that area or anywhere else for that matter. Everything pointed to a bad processor which is why we refunded.

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Given my lack of component electronics repair skills, It is better for me to have it repaired/find a replacement.


I will keep looking for a replacement.


It's too bad, this car is pretty cherry and runs great otherwise!

Keep the other one for when it can be repaired, or for parts for a swap.