ericjsch

I have a complex problem. I have a 2011 Audi A4 with 43,000 miles, which I have loved. Two weeks ago I was driving to an appointment when I heard some loud beeps, and the rectangular square in the middle of my instrument cluster went dark. I brought it to my local Audi dealer, and they said that I would need an new instrument cluster at a cost of $2,200! Wanting a second opinion, I told them not to do the work. Astoundingly, when I went to pick up the car, the instrument cluster came back on perfectly. I continued to drive the car, but in a couple of days it went out again. I brought the car to a local mechanic who I trust, and he suggested having the instrument cluster sent out to be rebuilt, so we tried it. After sending it out, the rebuilding company responded that the instrument cluster was working perfectly and didn't need to be rebuilt. My mechanic reinstalled the instrument cluster, and it's now working, but we expect that it's going to happen again, and they said to bring it in when it fails again. My mechanic also mentioned that the electrical connections on the Audi are the size of pins, and are difficult to find. Has anyone ever heard of this problem?

hichamaziz

you can buy instrument cluster new one

ericjsch

hichamaziz, my story has an interesting ending, so far. Rather than buying a new one, which was recommended by the idiots at my local Audi dealer (Hoffman Audi in East Hartford), I went for a second opinion to my local Midas shop, who I've used many times in the past for my other cars. They suggested sending it out for a rebuild, so we took a shot. Interestingly, the rebuilder sent the instrument cluster back, saying that it was working perfectly. They suggested checking the connections to the cluster, including the ground. Well, after a very reasonable $250 (which included removing the cluster, sending it to the rebuilder, checking the connections, and reinstalling the cluster), it's been working perfectly for the past 3 weeks. My Midas people told me to bring it in again if it fails, and they would check the connections again AT NO CHARGE. So, for the time being, as is well.