Smoke From Instrument Panel

[sss]

Hi

 

Initially had a couple of blown bulbs behind the speedo so searched site and followed instructions to remove display and purchased replacement bulbs

Thought I'd replace all bulbs to future proof.

Connected panel up and switched on -  all display fully illuminated. Within seconds saw smoke coming from the centre top of the panel. Switched off and checked all bulb connections. Reconnected and tried again. All working with no smoke though right hand indicator display doesn't work. Switched working bulds and buld holders around and stll no illumination on the right indicator though actual indicators on car work fine.

Seems the board may have shorted.

 

Can this board be replaced or is the instrumnent panel a sealed unit.

 

Any thoughts and assistance would be most appreciated.

 

Mk 1 2001 1.9tdi

 

[f0ster]

hello

       if it is a flexible circuit board and if you can find where it is shorted you should be able to repair it,

under the plastic covering there is copper and it can be soldered to, it depends on how small the track is that has shorted, I have repaired them before, you have nothing to loose, from what you say it is blown any way,

[sss]

Many thanks

 

Unfortunately i've no experience with finding shorts and or soldering so I'll need to seek someone who can.

 

There's an instrument cluster on ebay for £40 + P&P which may seem a best alernative for me though does anyone know if the cluster holders the mileometer reading or is the mileage total fed from outside the cluster so you can replace the cluster and the mileage reading is the same?

 

Thanks

[SilverBeast]

I understand that the mileage is held in the cluster and the engine management module.  I believe it takes the highest value to use if there is a conflict.  You need a lead (NOT VAG-COM) to dump the cluster values from the old one (if it will still communicate) and send them to the replacement - though I've never needed to do it myself.

 

You need the correct cluster for your engine as there are differences between specs (Zetec, Ghia etc) and engines (TDI, 2.0, 2.3, V6 etc) due to differences in features (ie rev counter on diesel doesn't go as high as petrol models).