A2 cluster light - Engine light... removeable?

thestable

Member
I'm slowly getting somewhere with the engine problems with my FSI ... well I'm not the dealer I bought it from is allegedly sorting it at a garage.

Not long after I bought the car i noticed that the engine warning/management light was not turning on and off at start up like the other lights. The engine light is apparently being ordered in so they've had my car since last wednesday.

Am i getting fed a line or is it actually possible to by a bulb/LED for it? i'm not sure if people would remove it completely or just cut the wire.
 
I'm slowly getting somewhere with the engine problems with my FSI ... well I'm not the dealer I bought it from is allegedly sorting it at a garage.

Not long after I bought the car i noticed that the engine warning/management light was not turning on and off at start up like the other lights. The engine light is apparently being ordered in so they've had my car since last wednesday.

Am i getting fed a line or is it actually possible to by a bulb/LED for it? i'm not sure if people would remove it completely or just cut the wire.

I'll let somebody else give a definitive line on this, but it certainly sounds as if there is "something fishy" going on with the cluster, such as a cut wire or bulb removal. It has been discussed on another post recently, with some unscrupulous sellers bi-wiring the LED, or some putting a mask over the bulb to hide it from view. It may not be this particular deal being unscrupulous, but it seems along the way somebody has been being naughty.
 
It is possible to source an led "chip" that would replace one that has failed (but they really don't fail, this one must have been "disabled")

But this all does sound a bit strange.

It is not just a case of slotting in a "bulb" (LED chip) because they are soldered in place and the cluster would need to be stripped down a little to get at the connections.

But lets see what happens.

The problem is that when they "fix" your LED it will almost certainly mean that you will then have the problem of having the EML on and so you will need to fix the cause.

Steve B
 
I'm slowly getting somewhere with the engine problems with my FSI ... well I'm not the dealer I bought it from is allegedly sorting it at a garage.

Not long after I bought the car i noticed that the engine warning/management light was not turning on and off at start up like the other lights. The engine light is apparently being ordered in so they've had my car since last wednesday.

Am i getting fed a line or is it actually possible to by a bulb/LED for it? i'm not sure if people would remove it completely or just cut the wire.

You've either missunderstood what the dealer has told you, or you're being fed a line, I'm affraid.
The illumination occurs via an LED, and yes, it's possible to replace it, but this wouldn't be done by the dealer unless they specialise in electronic repairs, but more to the point, there was obviously a reason someone removed the LED, and just replacing it isn't going to fix the underlying problem.

The LED is mounted directly onto the cluster circuit board.
Here's a picture of a cluster I just pulled apart to show you.
To be able to solder on to the circuit board the cluster needs to stripped down further.
WP_20171110_17_23_21_Pro.jpg
The EML LED is the first one on the inner semi-circle.

If you decide to keep the car, i'd suggest you employ a specialist to inspect the repair to the cluster as well as someone who can check the engine's health.

Cheers
Jeff
 
to add to this: the LEDs in question are around 2mm long on each side, and they're fixed in place on both sides. This makes it really quite hard to replace them without blowing the board up (static) and without the correct tools (soldering iron or two with a tiny tip). I'd agree with Jeff's comment.

- Bret
 
I'd use the information you've got from various members who've replied and ask the dealer to point you straight to the garage so you can liaise direct. You need to ask what part is being ordered in and get a part number from them, and then casually say that you thought they were all LEDs now, not separate bulbs and see what they say.

Sad to say, I think you are being strung along here.
 
Thanks for the comments folks.

You were obviously correct, and the dealer was misinformed. The light had infact been taped over. It was illuminated due to an air leak. garage is unsure where this leak is... I'm asking my long suffering dad and mechanic friend to go and have a look at it when they go and pick it up and plug his diagnostics machine in to it...

I just can't wait to get the thing back or actually have to find another one.
 
Have you tried the brake servo for the air leak? It can happen. In worst cases you get a hiss that goes when you press the pedal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Back
Top