Audi TT Instrument Panel Problems 2012! Help!

[Lucky Leckie]

I there,

I'm new to all this forum stuff but I've got to a point in the ownership of my beloved 2001 225bhp TT and the instrument dial problems that I need the wisdom of my fellow Piston Heads.
I have been well aware of this issue for some time and when I bought the car did everything I could to ensure I bought a good one. But the law of sod had other ideas and shortly after buying I got a temperature gauge reading way into the 130's. Before you ask, I have had the car thoroughly checked out and I'm sure it's ok so all I am left with is the dial!
Now there is alot of information on forums about this problem and I know that for a long time Audi was replacing all pods for free. But all the info I can find is quite out of date and through my own enquiries with Audi I have been informed that they stopped doing that about 2 years ago unless you have a full main dealer service history (which I don't).

So here's my questions, finally!
Does anyone know what the best or should I say cheapest way of dealing with this is now?
Has anyone managed to persuade Audi to replace the pod despite a lack of service history?
How good are companies that repair your unit and what's the best way to go about it as most you have to send it off? Do you loose your mileage reading?

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[bungle]

tt-forum your best bet for info i think.

[Mr Gear]

Full Audi service history is the only way you'll get Audi to do this for free, but there is a Audi TT specialist who will be able to offer you some good advice I am sure: http://www.thettshop.com/

[TheEnd]

There's plenty of people able to reprogram clusters and keep the mileage.

I'm sure they'd enjoy not getting the dirty scummy feeling from clocking cars for a change!

[Thom987]

Mr Gear said:

Full Audi service history is the only way you'll get Audi to do this for free, but there is a Audi TT specialist who will be able to offer you some good advice I am sure: http://www.thettshop.com/

The dash pod is not a serviceable item, so a service history is not going to make much of a difference.

The TT forum would be my first port of call, you could also try another Audi dealer.

[El Capitano]

Two companies.... AC tronics or bba reman. I have a similar issue (mine reads 90 though, just below the red line. So doesn't really bother me, it will still show if it actually overheats)
I didn't look into these companies yet but was told by my local mechanic both charge about 100 quid so not that bad at all.
Let me know if you try either of these, have to get mine done before I sell.

[Kentish]

Audi used to replace as a goodwill gesture but don't any longer.

The best place I know of is BBA Reman for an exchange unit & they were around £100 but you'd need to check for the current price.

Audi charge £80 for diagnosis & around £900 for a new dashpod!

[camp freddie]

Try ECU Testing, they repaired the dashpod when I had my TT. There's also a company somewhere off the A406 who seemed to have good reviews, I just can't remember their name - check the TT-forum.

[LayZ]

Bba fixed the problems with my A6 dash but it I sent it back twice. They finally fixed it for good on the third attempt. Have a look at their ads on ebay.

[Baryonyx]

Dreaded dash pod failure. About the only thing that didn't go wrong with my
TT 225!

[Mr Gear]

Thom987 said:

The dash pod is not a serviceable item, so a service history is not going to make much of a difference.

The TT forum would be my first port of call, you could also try another Audi dealer.

Absolutely correct, but that didn't stop Audi making it a "reason".

[rallycross]

very easy to fix,

get the dash pod taken out by your local autoelectrician

go to ebay

click buy it now on BBA reman TT dash clocks repair.

4 day turnaround

get your local auto spark to come back and fit rebuilt clocks.

£150-£180 to BBA.
£50-£80 to your auto elec.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-TT-DASH-INSTRUMENT-...

And no, you will not have much luck trying to get Audi to pay for it on a 2001 TT.

[pat_y]

Had mine fixed earlier this year, used a local specialist in dashopd repairs (Cartronix), as one of the recommended people on the TT forum, £180 as a drive in drive out service with a 2yr warranty, i did ask Audi but they stopped on the goodwill thing for this fault a little while ago.

[TheEnd]

Which cars does this problem turn up on?

I'll see if I can find out what the problem is, because if it is just poor joints, or a solder job on a chip, it might be something someone with a steady hand could do themselves.

[TheEnd]

OK, scrub that, it's an MCU fault (ie main processor chip) and they'd need replacing.

One of these little fellas (for example), and it's also need to be programmed too
http://ecuobd.en.hisupplier.com/product-777861-Mot...

[Superhoop]

Mr Gear said:

Thom987 said:

The dash pod is not a serviceable item, so a service history is not going to make much of a difference.

The TT forum would be my first port of call, you could also try another Audi dealer.

Absolutely correct, but that didn't stop Audi making it a "reason".

It's nothing to do with it being a serviceable or non-serviceable item, it's about goodwill.

Goodwill from a manufacturer is generally based on how good a customer you have been to them, one of the criteria for this is generally a full and on time main dealer service history (the others tend to be number of owners, purchased from a main dealer, age/mileage)

So basically, you show goodwill to the manufacturer by supporting their dealer network, and they show goodwill back by supporting repairs outside of the warranty period

[Riknos]

How a company can refuse to fix a fault with a car that can only be 5 months old at the most is ridiculous in my opinion. Money grabbing bds.

[Superhoop]

OP said:

my beloved 2001 225bhp TT

Riknos said:

How a company can refuse to fix a fault with a car that can only be 5 months old at the most is ridiculous in my opinion. Money grabbing bds.

Err??

[bungle]

Riknos said:

How a company can refuse to fix a fault with a car that can only be 5 months old at the most is ridiculous in my opinion. Money grabbing bds.

eh? it's a 2001.

[fozzymandeus]

rallycross said:

very easy to fix,

get the dash pod taken out by your local autoelectrician

go to ebay

click buy it now on BBA reman TT dash clocks repair.

4 day turnaround

get your local auto spark to come back and fit rebuilt clocks.

£150-£180 to BBA.
£50-£80 to your auto elec.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-TT-DASH-INSTRUMENT-...

And no, you will not have much luck trying to get Audi to pay for it on a 2001 TT.

This. He speaks great wisdom, grasshopper. It isn't the big deal it used to be, apart from the fact you'll have your car off the road for a few days.