Dear All,

Hoping someone can help. We just sold this week our 2001 A3 and when the guy came over this evening to collect it, the dash instruments wouldn't work. All of the dash lights etc are working but the speedo, rev counter and temp and fuel guages are not working. I had to jump start it as the battery was low (it hasn't been used for a few weeks while in storage). I checked all the fuses and they seem fine.

PLEASE - ANY IDEAS????

Thanks,

ALAN

 

Hook the battery to a common ampmeter. Remove fuses one-by-one and have a friend simultaneously watch the meter. Once he/she sees the needle jump, you will have determined the source of the electrical drain. Hopefully it was just a low battery from not being used and sufficiently charged. If it is the original battery, there is absolutely the opportunity the battery could have just gone bad. They can only handle *so many* cycles before they're toast. Lots of new power-hungry devices in modern cars shortens overall battery life.

 

Cheers Buddy. I have the battery now charged and it's running ok.....the instruments are now the problem. Any ideas?

 

i.e the speedo and rev counter are not working. Nor are the instrument lights (i.e. the lights behind the speedo etc) although the main exterior and interior lights are fine. Perhaps I blew something when I hooked up the battery to another car to jump start it? Fuses all seem fine though....

Damn....might lose the sale!!!!

 

Perhaps replacing the wires leading to the alternator...if not the alternator itself. It does handle flow of electricity and alternators do eventually need replacement.

 

You could also give the buyer a guarantee in writing that you'll repurchase the vehicle from him within a week for the same price less $100.00 if the odometer is within 500 miles from when you sold it. That will give him peace of mind if he goes through with the purchase once you've made these repairs.