complete autocheck disable?

Tue Oct 19 14:02:00 EDT 2004

I also would suggest unpluging the two plugs that go into the autocheck.
They are pretty obvious if you have had the instrument cluster out. They are
on either side of the back of it. BTW, I agree with you, I don't need my car
to tell me when the washer fluid is low, brake pads, etc. Especially when it
is wrong (the wifes always says low fuel). The 4kq is perfect for me.

Tony Hoffman 

-----Original Message-----
From: quattro-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:quattro-bounces at audifans.com] On
Behalf Of Keith Lawyer
Sent: 18-Oct-2004 3:01 PM
To: quattro at audifans.com
Subject: Re: complete autocheck disable?

>>> Robert Myers <robert at s-cars.org> 10/18/04 01:40PM >>>
>You can disable it completely simply by removing the bulbs which back
>>light  the display.  Well, maybe not "disable" but certainly eliminate
the >display.

True enough, but that was why I specified "visual and auditory."  Seems it
could still scream at me, no?  The constant screech is like nails on a
chalkboard, and has made for some seemingly unsafe situations as I pull off
in morning traffic or restart the car while still moving.

NOW, failing my request for complete disable, can anyone tell me if the
Autocheck has a dedicated chime or shares the chime w other functions (doors
open, headlights on, radio on?).  If dedicated, perhaps I could simply
disable the auditory function of Autocheck?

>The garbled display is usually found to be the result of  corrosion
and >>>resulting poor contact between mating halves of a couple of multi-pin
>connectors inside the instrument cluster.  A couple of onnect/disconnect
>cycles usually "repairs" the display.

I've actually had the instrument cluster in & out a few times with no
change.  There's no doubt I could use a greater understanding of
electronics, but right now I don't have the time or desire to repair a
system which tells me things I don't need to know (somehow all of us who own
4ks and other pre-autocheck cars have "managed" all these years LOL).  Of
course all this assumes that disabling the system is less time-intensive
than repairing it (I randomly get the gas pump symbol, oil pressure symbol
and garbled display; for the time being brakes have disappeared).

>If you want to eliminate that function simply cut the wires where they
>>enter the pads, short the two wires  together and "Voila!" -  No more 
>>brake pad warnings.

If only it were true.  I tried to repair this symptom sometime ago.  I
searched the archives and did as you describe on both sides, but no change.
A deeper search of the archives revealed that I could trace wires or just
jumper some pins at the Auotcheck module itself, which led me to the idea of
simply disabling the system entirely.  Here's what I came across, FWIW (and
per the description only covers thru '88, I dunno if my '90 has the module
in the same location):

"Here is the Dave Head 'We don't need no stinking idiot lights' trick:
> 
> You have to remove the Auto-Check main control unit - to the center
of
the car and above the glove box under the dash. Once out, there is a 35 pin
connector to it.  One end has a fork end. Counting from the other end (latch
end) - 1-18 on top, 19-35 on bottom. Bottom shound be smooth.
Jumper from pin 21 (sensor) to pin 27 (ground - always brown). This will put
the light out. Good fix for all 85-88 5KS, 5Kt, 5Kq, 5Ktq. Bentley pages
96.28 and 96.29 refers.
> 
> Book tells you to go through the console AC controller to get to it.
I
found it much easier to access via the glove box removal method. This method
simply inserts a signal that tells the Auto Check that the circuit is
> complete. Remember to check your brake pads often and put a note in
the glovebox for any future owner..."

Perhaps I can just remove the Autocheck module and be done with it?

Keith L
'90 200

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