OK Guys, It's all good. Everything works just like it was installed at the factory.
Joe is great to deal with, everybody drop him a line and get the group buy thing going again.
paternos@worldnet.att.net
Here are the details. The only differences are in the way you have to program them.
Parts that are needed:
1.UK Cluster with MFA (for those who don't know, UK clusters are in MPH, and they make them for TDI's)
2.Wiper stalk for MFA Cluster
3.Outside Temperature Sensor
4.Clip for the above sensor to hold it into the bumper
5.Plug for the above Sensor
6.Pins for the above Plug
7.Plug for the Wiper Stalk
8.Pins for the Wiper Stalk
9.Pins for instrument cluster
10.15 Feet of wire
You also need access to a VAG-COM or a cool dealer.
Diconnect the battery before performing any work. On 2002 and later vehicles, get the IMMOB. code with a VAG-COM before you disconnect the Cluster. Also, write down you mileage for future coding.
Removing the cluster takes about 10 minutes. Unfortunately I didn't know the secret to removing the trim at the bottom so I had to order a new one.
Remove the top Steering column trim, then move the steering wheel to the bottom, outward position. Using a small flat blade screw driver, release the small tangs that hold the lower trim from the bottom of the cluster. At the bottom of the cluster are 2 T20 Torx screws. Remove them and pull the cluster out. Disconnect the 2 connectors on the rear of the cluster. That's all that's to it.
Next, remove the Airbag, and steering wheel. With the steering whell out of the way you can remove the lower steering wheel cover. This will now allow you to remove the Wiper stalk.
You have to make 3 wires 18" long with the pin for the wiper stalk on one end and the pin for the cluster on the other. You then need to make 1 wire 18" long with a pin on one end for the wire stalk and a round terminal end.
Connect the 3 wires to the appropriate terminals, and the 4th goes from the stalk to a ground screw behind the cluster.
Make a wire 10 Feet long with a cluster terminal on one end. Place it in the appropriate pin #26 on the green cluster connector. Feed it through the firewall towards the front left lower grill. This is where the temparature sensor goes. Cut the wire to the correct length and attach it to Pin 1 of the connector for the temperature sensor. Make a wire and connect it from Pin 2 to a ground under the battery.
Reverse the assempbly procedures. Power up and code with the appropriate procedures for your year of vehicle.
Total time was about 4 hours. Total cost was about $500. My dealer gave me the immob. secret code without any questions. All in all I rate this about a 6 out of 10 in difficluty. According to the computer I'm averaging 53.2MPG. I'll let it run through a couple of tanks, then I'll use the VAG-COM to make a adaptation to the MPG program to be closer to the milage that I really get.