My wife went to use my A3 tis morning and broke it. She didn't get very far as it would start and then immediately die and the instrument panel was dead. There isn't actually much on solving this problem and what there is happens to be all over the place from replace batteries, replace alternators, replace the ECU, get the dash fixed, get the dash replaced and programmed.
So here is how it went for me. Instrument panel out, disconnected and then reconnected. Still nothing. Lights fine, fan fine, starter fine, central locking fine, radio fine but no dash and car just died straight after firing up. Disconnected the battery to reset the ECU and whilst waiting, checked all the fuses in car and in the engine bay, every one as there is no reference to a instrument panel fuse or a fuse diagram you can get to online. All fuses OK. Reconnected the battery = nada just the radio in safe mode now.
Figured the instrument cluster must have crashed out so located a few companies online that could fix your panel. God they all have really horrible customer reviews! Time to push the car out of the way from in front of the garage so I can at least use my play car whilst the Audi heap is immobilised. Noticed the power windows not working, checked other things no electric mirrors either. So now its clearly more than just the dash so back online to seek out more remedies. Found one that said to remove both battery terminals and short the terminals (not the battery ones obviously!) after 5 minutes. Refitted the instrument binnacle while the time passed by. Reconnected the battery and all was well. Dash lit up like a Christmas tree like nothing had happened for the last 10 hours of frustration.
There is lots of talk about broken wires or water damage causing dash crash problems. The car is parked up outside but then its has been for the last 3 years. It has been raining yesterday but then it has been raining pretty much non stop for the last 6 months. I'm hoping this is a one off melt down and not the start of a recurring problem. If it is, the Audi is going. If anyone else has the same issues then try the full battery disconnect and terminal short, it worked for me - this time.
So here is how it went for me. Instrument panel out, disconnected and then reconnected. Still nothing. Lights fine, fan fine, starter fine, central locking fine, radio fine but no dash and car just died straight after firing up. Disconnected the battery to reset the ECU and whilst waiting, checked all the fuses in car and in the engine bay, every one as there is no reference to a instrument panel fuse or a fuse diagram you can get to online. All fuses OK. Reconnected the battery = nada just the radio in safe mode now.
Figured the instrument cluster must have crashed out so located a few companies online that could fix your panel. God they all have really horrible customer reviews! Time to push the car out of the way from in front of the garage so I can at least use my play car whilst the Audi heap is immobilised. Noticed the power windows not working, checked other things no electric mirrors either. So now its clearly more than just the dash so back online to seek out more remedies. Found one that said to remove both battery terminals and short the terminals (not the battery ones obviously!) after 5 minutes. Refitted the instrument binnacle while the time passed by. Reconnected the battery and all was well. Dash lit up like a Christmas tree like nothing had happened for the last 10 hours of frustration.
There is lots of talk about broken wires or water damage causing dash crash problems. The car is parked up outside but then its has been for the last 3 years. It has been raining yesterday but then it has been raining pretty much non stop for the last 6 months. I'm hoping this is a one off melt down and not the start of a recurring problem. If it is, the Audi is going. If anyone else has the same issues then try the full battery disconnect and terminal short, it worked for me - this time.
. I got a cheap 12 plate and two days in have the same issue with the exception my mirrors work. Was find when it was delivered and fine when I was washing. And cleaning it out. Sunday dead. Fixed a busted door wire and disconnected the battery and dash pod but no luck. Will try the shorting our tomorrow. Did yours stay fixed
