QuestionQUESTION: I have a 2000 1.8T a4 avant, tiptronic. The serpentine belt failed and when it did, it cut/ripped out the AC compressor control cable apparently causing a short to ground. This caused significant damage to the instrument cluster, burning a portion of its PCB and components, as well as the blue multi-pin connector. On the blue multi-pin connector, you can see that pins 1 and 24, I believe terminal 15 and terminal 31 respectively, carried the load during the short. My question is, can you think of other components that could be damaged from this event? Where else should I check for damage? I have fixed the damaged wiring at the AC compressor control cable and at the blue multi pin connector. The car runs, shifts and drives (have only driven very short distances) and and the lighting works properly. I have not run tested the radio or climate control functions yet. My fear is that I will replace the instrument cluster but other unknown damage will ruin another instrument cluster or cause further damage. Also if I replace the instrument cluster with a used one, assuming I recode the replacement units soft code and immobilizer codes properly will I have problems with a mileage discrepancy?
ANSWER: Wow. That's pretty unlucky. I have never come across that before. I cannot think what other components were affected, it's a case of trying everything and checking for proper functionality. You can get a different cluster, and take the speedometer off your cluster to keep the mileage correct, if it's a digital odometer, then the mileage may not transfer and you will need to get the mileage adjusted. Did you already try the existing cluster? Are the tracks in the PCB really burnt or can they be repaired? That thing must have carried a lot of current! Let me know how the repair goes, Jan
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QUESTION: Thanks for the reply. Unlucky is right. I have not plugged the damaged instrument cluster back in. There is significant physical burn damage to approximately 1/5th of the PCB. The tracks are irreparable and several components on the board were also burned. As you say it must have carried a lot of current- the strange thing is that the fuses didn't blow. Terminal 15, is labeled as AC/instrument cluster on the fuse list (makes sense). Terminal 30 (I incorrectly said terminal 31 above) is labeled sliding roof, neither fuse blew. Also I cannot see any damage to the sliding roof gear. It does have a digital odometer. Its my understanding that the mileage cannot be adjusted once it has been originally set. Is this correct? Also, if I cannot read the immobilizer code from the old unit, can I get a new code or something from the Audi dealer?
Thanks.
AnswerThe AC clutch does take a lot of current to actuate, looks like your instrument cluster protected the fuse... If you have a replacement cluster, then I would plug that in and test it. A dealer can adjust the mileage on the replacement cluster. They may want so see the old cluster or have some verification that the mileage is not being adjusted for 'other purposes'. I don't think there is an immobilizer code in the instrument cluster, I've changed clusters in my S4 when the center display failed and the car ran just fine, so I'd say try it. Let me know, Jan
