checking the autocheck/dash lights out (Typ89)

[Robinson, Michael/SJC]

Hi all,

For the past month or so I have been fighting quite an electrical gremlin.
My dash lights went out one night and i have not had them since.  The fuse
(#14-5A) blows everytime it is replaced.  At first i thought it may have
been from my melted rear defroster switch.  I cut the wring on that and
still kept blowing fuses.  According to the Bentley's wirring diagram, the
dash lights are part of the Autocheck circuit.  Unfotunately this is one one
monster circuit.  I replaced the stereo a few weeks ago and couldn't find
any wiring glitches in the rat's nest of wires under the dash and in the
center console.  Just recently I notcied the check system was acting funny.
Normally it would say "OK" when the car is started. But sometimes the OK wil
flash a few times right at the beginning.  Even while I am starting to
drive.  The low fuel warning is also coming on much sooner than it ever has.
Someitmes it comes on before the trip computer says i am on E.
Traditionally, I have been able to run up to 70 miles on E, then the warning
comes on and I'll get about 16 gallons of gas.  Now it comes on and I'll
fill up about 14.  the gas gage itself is acting funny too, but i think that
it is unrelated.  My questions is how do you check the auto check unit (no
pun intended)?  Hoefully it is faulty and is the causeto my dash lights
being out.  Has anyone had any problems like this before?  TIA if you can
help.

Mike Robinson
San Francisco CA
1988 Audi 90 Quattro
212,000 + miles