[Biturbos4] Dashboard center display

Sun Jan 30 02:22:09 EST 2005

David,

The S4 dash is not an easy item to remove - I've done it several times to install gauge rings and the O.ct boost gauge. First, I suggest disconnecting the battery - to prevent shock and potential electrical damage to the cluster. Second, u should disconnect the kick panels beneath the steering wheel and the fuse box (end panel on the driver's side of te dash. You will need to unscrew these panels - several screws are hidden. 

Now, u will have enough room to lower the steering wheel to its lowest point (towards the floor - u will need to flip the steering wheel adjustment lever to do this). You then have to use a TORX screw driver (#20 - if i remember) to remove to screws that secure the instrument cluster to the dash. Then - u will have to shimmy the cluster out of its space - unfortunately the steering wheel is an obstacle - even after being lowered. 

You will now have to remove the three electrical connectors at the back of the cluster. If u have big hands like me - this is NOT an easy thing to do. They are secured to the cluster with plastic clamps that must be flipped upward. Putting these connectors back in (after you finish working on the cluster) is an even bigger PITA! 

Aside form everything I just mentioned, removing the cluster on an S4 is fairly straightforward. After doing it more than once, you should be familiar with the drill. If you successfully re-install the cluster (make sure that ALL three electrical connectors are secure and are clamped into the back of the cluster), when you turn on the ignition - u will have to re-set the date and time. You will also have to use your radio code to re-set the BOSE SYMPHONY unit. This is because you disconnected the power (the battery) and the radio immediately goes into anti-theft mode. 

Good luck.

David Kavanagh <audiguy at gmail.com> wrote:
I guess the "dash" is too broad a term. Specifically, the instrument
cluster is what gets removed. Does that sound easier? (it is!).
Anyway, just wanted to clarify.

On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 22:08:50 -0500, Grant wrote:
> Thanks John (and others who have provided lots of potential problem
> areas to keep my eye out for). I'm familiar with Cramolin, which caig
> used to distribute ( and have "lots"). I presume this is fairly
> similar?
> Is it feasible to kind of squirt it up at the back of the display from
> beneath?
> 
> However I'll re-iterate my *real* question - "can I get at this without
> removing the dash, and if not, how hard is it to get the dash out?"
> That's actually the much larger problem, at least for me.
> 
> Still hoping someone has taken it out and can either warn me off the
> job, or steer me through it.
> 
> Grant
> 
> On Jan 29, 2005, at 9:58 PM, John M. Harrison wrote:
> 
> > I've had very good results with a contact cleaning and preserving
> > product called DeoxIT from Caig Laboratories. This is the first
> > thing I try on electrical and electronic connectors, switches, relay
> > contacts, light bulb sockets, computer edge connectors, etc. Given
> > the plethora of such connectors on modern automobiles, this is a good
> > thing to have handy and try first before resorting to more extreme and
> > potentially expensive diagnosis and repair. Its available at
> > electronic shops or from the Caig website at www.caig.com. Contains
> > no CFCs and doesn't eat or stain plastics or leave much messy residue
> > - overspray pretty much evaporates away, so you can hose things down
> > that you can't get to easily, for example the turn signal contacts in
> > the steering column. Comes with a flexible plastic tube about 5" long
> > that you can attach to the aerosol nozzle to get it into hard to reach
> > places. This is how I use it most of the time. Highly recommended.
> > No, I don't work for them or gain anything by this recommendation -
> > just a very satisfied customer. Cheers and happy motoring.
> >
> > John M. Harrison Laramie, Wyoming
> > 2001.5 S4 Avant 6 speed silver stock loaded 35k miles
> > still lovin' it - a definite keeper
> >
> > David Kavanagh wrote:
> >
> >>> From my experience on my '91 200q20v, the center display did require
> >> some R&R. I started by re-soldering many of the connections in the
> >> dash and display PC boards. I also disassembled the display module and
> >> removed the display and interconnects (those little elasomer strips).
> >> Once I re-assembled everything, the display worked fine.
> >> I had a similar problem with the LCD display on a Fluke multi-meter. I
> >> did the dis-assemble, re-assemble thing with the display (and the
> >> elastomer connectors), and it worked great after that.
> >>
> >> David
> >>
> >>
> >> On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 17:35:39 -0500, Grant wrote:
> >>
> >>> The center display (where the radio, temp, etc is displayed) is
> >>> washing
> >>> out and beginning to miss pixels and/or entire lines. I believe this
> >>> is an LCD display, so there's no bulb involved.
> >>>
> >>> Does this sound like a failing voltage regulator? If so, is it
> >>> fairly
> >>> easy to get at? Anyone know how or have any tricks for me?
> >>>
> >>> Car is an '00 S4.
> >>>
> >>> Grant
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> Biturbos4 mailing list
> >>> Biturbos4 at www.audifans.com
> >>> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/biturbos4
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> 
> 

-- 
'00 A6 biturbo 6-speed - FOR SALE! (see ad @ audifans.com)
'01 allroad 6-speed
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