Do you want your instrument cluster with bad pixels fixed?

[coby]

To put it simply. The problem is in the ribbon cable itself. The ribbon cable has a lcd driver on it which and then attaches another cable. I attempted to fix mine and made it worse, now the only option is to buy a new part.




Where the blue part is, this delaminates from the other part of the cable.

There is a fix floating around saying to put foam under the frame for the screen to push it down firmer, but afaik there is no documented positive result for this cheap fix.

macgyver: any updates as yet?

[macgyver681]

To address a few of the last questions again, the LCD is basically just a peice of glass with some tiny wires that run through it that turn on and off pixels. It doesn't fail. The connecting ribbon from the LCD to the cluster has a controller chip on it. It doesn't fail either(most likely). The flexible substrate, i.e. the "cable" and its connection to the controller fails due to hot/cold cycles and age. You can't remove/replace the cable alone and even if you could it would be more expensive than just replacing the whole assembly.
The cheap foam tape fix, unfortunately does not work.

Thanks for the offer emers I will let you know if there are any problems.

UPDATES:

Not much right now. They are still in the testing phase. This is the first order Sacer has had for these parts I believe, so they are being extra careful to make sure they are all good before they go out the door. Personally I am glad since I don't want any dead LCD pixels ever again. I will post again when I get a shipping date.

Also as a sidenote the list is up to about 50 ppl who want their LCD panel fixed or just a panel. I think there is about 18 that want it installed by me so there is still room for some more. As soon as I get this batch of panels in and test them I will order more for those that just want the panel. Keep the emails coming though, you will all be counted!

[psuaudi]

doh...just realized this fix is for B5 A4's...

I don't suppose the B6 A4 screen is the same?

[audiness]

i think only the B5's suffer from this problem.

Almost every B5 I have ever seen has this problem, my car is the worst.

[hossified]

i would be in it for sure if the price was right... my display goes away in warm temperature or when i run the heater for a long time...

[psuaudi]

i think only the B5's suffer from this problem.

Almost every B5 I have ever seen has this problem, my car is the worst.

no, b6 a4's must have the problem too. mine does. my screen looks the same.

[K04B5]

just came across this... http://www.tachopix.de/pixelerror/na...v/colnav.8940/

[brlukosk]

just came across this... http://www.tachopix.de/pixelerror/na...v/colnav.8940/

NICE, this is exactly what we need! $278 USD is a lot thought, not sure if we can get this in the US though.

[bcs296]

Hmm, my 97 A4 has 93k and the LCD screen is still working perfectly. This new discovery, however, is tempting me since I know it can't be long until mine starts to crap out.

[macgyver681]

Yeah I can't say for sure that this is for the B6 A4s. Someone would have to pull their cluster and look at the panel and see if the part numbers match up. I have heard that the A6 around 99-00 have the same panel but someone else would have to confirm that the B6 A4 is the same. I was under the impression that it wasn't but Audi could have very well used the same panels and just changed the cluster's looks.

[macgyver681]

i think only the B5's suffer from this problem.

Almost every B5 I have ever seen has this problem, my car is the worst.

I would have to disagree with you there...I think mine is the worst After all I looked all over the world just to get it fixed.

[K04B5]

any updates on your little plan for fixing everyone's screens? (macgyver681)

[macgyver681]

Unfortunately still waiting on the parts to be done in China, they are delayed 4-5 weeks still We are now looking at late May realistically to get started, I sent some unhappy emails to Sacer but I just have to wait, my screen has been unreadable for like a year+, whats another month lol.

[macgyver681]

Hey Just want to make this Clear since I get a ton of emails asking how much it is to fix this or how much just the part is so to clarify for everyone

I WILL ANNOUNCE THE FINAL PRICING AFTER I RECIEVE THE PARTS. I DON'T YET KNOW THE FINAL COST TO ME SO I CAN'T FIGURE PRICING EXACTLY.

The part alone will most likely be around $85+/- but I can't say that definately till I get them.

Sorry for the bold just want people to see this line before they email me and ask this again.

[LateraLex]

Any idea on the exact price?

[Brrman]

Any idea on the exact price?

LOL - somone is looking start a flame war...

[macgyver681]

Any idea on the exact price?

Your kidding right?

[kgardnez]

I think what he meant to ask is:

"Any idea on your timing to understanding the final price?"

[macgyver681]

Sorry guys I still don't know, I am at the mercy of the Chinese manufacturing company thats making these. I am still waiting to find out when the first run will be complete and when they will ship. I guarntee as soon as I find out anything new I will post here first whithin mere moments of getting an email from the supplier so no need for the continuous questions and emails as to when its gonna be ready. Thanks.

[Gibbs]

Sorry guys I still don't know, I am at the mercy of the Chinese manufacturing company thats making these. I am still waiting to find out when the first run will be complete and when they will ship. I guarntee as soon as I find out anything new I will post here first whithin mere moments of getting an email from the supplier so no need for the continuous questions and emails as to when its gonna be ready. Thanks.

cheers macgyver681

[mrtorino]

I would have to disagree with you there...I think mine is the worst After all I looked all over the world just to get it fixed.

I know the A6 has this problem as well.
My GF has this problem in her 01 A6. After researching that led me here I seen some other people with the issue.

[macgyver681]

I know the A6 has this problem as well.
My GF has this problem in her 01 A6. After researching that led me here I seen some other people with the issue.

I have heard some people have the same problem in the A6, no one has been able to confirm yet that its definately the same cluster or screen though. You would either have to find out if either:
1)Cluster is the same vag part number in the A4 & A6
or
2)Pull the cluster out of the A6 and look at the actual screen to see what the part number is (A4 is D1560T0B on the ribbon cable).

[Poopie]

all the pixels work in the morning or if i park in a garage. if it sits in the direct sunlight for a few hours the pixels fade. is this a display issue?

[macgyver681]

Hmm, I guess it could be, the problem seems to manifest itself differently in different cars. Any one else have this same symptom?
Personnally for me it doesn't matter the temp, sun or shade I can't read the display anytime, about half the lines are out. I can barely tell if the low gas icon is up or if I need washer fluid.

[audinutt]

I have my cluster at a reputable module repair shop he is using me as a guinea pig so i will see what happens.


-richard

[psuaudi]

that is exactly the same problem I have.

Macgyver681, is the heat issue something that you've seen as well in these screens, or do you think it's mainly related to B6 A4 screens?

[zrowcool]

mine is about as bad as mcguyver's. i cant see it since the line are mostly missing and i have to check what it is if its actually beeping. I will say though that more lines appear when its cold and they dissapear when its hot. Still unreadable regardless of temp though

[macgyver681]

Yeah that seems to be the concensus among the people I have heard from. The screens or rather the ribbon cable seems to be affected by changes in temperature, hot->cold and cold->hot which will make some pixels fade. If no pixels are missing but rather the whole thing is darkening uniformly than you are looking at a different problem. This is what mine looks like for reference.

Pixels are still bright, at least those that still work

[macgyver681]

I am hearing whispers of an early July delivery for these panels from the Chinese!!! I am really hoping they come through on their own deadline this time. I am not 100% sure it will happen, heck I'm not 50% sure it will happen but I am hoping.

Maybe I'll even have them before Waterfest and I can bring some with me if anyone wants to buy one there or just see them with their own eyes. Won't be soldering them in on the spot of course thats up to the do-it-yourselfers.

[audinutt]

Good deal, looks like another module rebuilder is waiting on the same parts too.
So I will let you know how that pans out, He's ordering a couple hundred.

-richard

[macgyver681]

Good deal, looks like another module rebuilder is waiting on the same parts too.
So I will let you know how that pans out, He's ordering a couple hundred.

-richard

Yeah? Thats cool, who is it, I would be interested to talk to them? Do you have a website or email? Let me know.

[audiness]

can't wait !

was looking at my display today, wondering how the chinese are coming along :)

[tmaslar]

Audinutt,

Who is the other rebuilder. Do you have contact info for him?

[audinutt]

One he gets the parts in I will let everyone know.

-richard

[CycloSteve]

FYI, found this on eBay today...looks like another person is planning on having either a kit for DIY repairs, or you can send them the cluster...also looks like they are awaiting the parts to come from overseas...ha ha.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Audi-...spagenameZWDVW

Go about half-way down the post to find the LCD repair reference.

Now if I can only get them to install my chrome rings at the same time!

Cheers, Steve

[audiness]

Pixels are still bright, at least those that still work

thats exactly what mine looks like.

[BernieBenz]

Yes, interested for my ’02 A6

[macgyver681]

FYI, found this on eBay today...looks like another person is planning on having either a kit for DIY repairs, or you can send them the cluster...also looks like they are awaiting the parts to come from overseas...ha ha.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Audi-...spagenameZWDVW

Go about half-way down the post to find the LCD repair reference.

Now if I can only get them to install my chrome rings at the same time!

Cheers, Steve

Yeah looks like they are probably waiting on the same company as me. Man I get an idea and everybody jumps on the bandwagon

Hey, more power to them, like I've always said I am just in it for the first 25 then its up to everyone else to keep it going. By the way, if people stick with what they said the 25 spots are long filled but I will keep ordering more and re-selling them and I can be pretty sure it will be cheaper than any rebuilder. I will resell them pretty much at cost. Want people to be able to see their gas warning lights again, don't know how many times i have forgot and run out of gas because of it.

[Calabria]

So my instrument cluster totally went out after being in the body shop for the day...what should i do? Nothing needed to be replaced on the inside, only door/bumper...yet it only works when the door is open. Its now a blank screen...

[macgyver681]

So my instrument cluster totally went out after being in the body shop for the day...what should i do? Nothing needed to be replaced on the inside, only door/bumper...yet it only works when the door is open. Its now a blank screen...

I assume you tryed pushing the little on/off button on the underside of the stalk that has the toggle switch for the display? Otherwise, this isn't the thread for anything to do with that. Just for missing lines.