was driving back from LA and the screen on my cluster went out. not like a couple lines of pixels, but more like 90% of it. all i can see is the last number on how many miles i have till empty. anyone ever heard of this happening all at once and not over an extended period? do i need to get a new cluster exactly from my year or would any b5 get programmed ok?

 

Its common from having it out in the sun for a long period of time......kinda like a so cal euro meet You can have it rebuilt from module masters, and a few other companies do it, i just can't think of them off hand. Its like $175, which is much better than having the dealer charge you $1,000 for a new cluster installed and coded.

 

http://www.pixelfix.info/index.php?m...roducts_id=181

Here is one company i found for ya.

 

damn thats priceyyy! what if i go the junkyard route and have a tech code it for me (have a couple good friends that work at the dealership). what should i expect to pay for a used cluster if i go that route? are they hard to recode?

 

But, they will prolly want about the same, then the recoding cost, and you wont get the diagnostics and warranty.

 

thats why im saying is the recoding alot of work? just use vag com right?

 

No, because the used cluster has to be modified to get the correct mileage. The tech just can't "burn" in a different mileage into a cluster, it can only be done ONCE. Once the mileage is burned in it can't be changed, the cluster would have to be taken apart and have that part of it replaced. Costing you more money than just having the one you have re-built. The cheapest and most effective way to fix the pixels in a cluster is to have it re-built by one of these companies.

 

what about replacing the plastic cover? cuz mines got a small crack, thats mainly why i was hoping to use the LCD being broken as an excuse to get a new one...so it could look phreshh again