On the 96 A4 non-quatro V6, I have basically read all the threads relative to this, was there one solution that was most probable or any sequence in which to check this problem out?
I have read, magnetic disc in differential, or needles, or bad ABS module?
That seems all over the place on this symptom(s).

 

bad cluster? are any other lights/displays on it working normally?

hows the battery? the same thing happened on my motorcycle where there was (oddly) enough charge to start the thing but it couldn't run either the tach or speedo.

did you take it apart recently and not put something back in there right? is something being ground out?

this guy says just old solder VWVortex.com - Why our clusters go bad - [Microscope photos inside]

this guy had a motor go bad in his (though that was just one motor and unlikely to be your issue as you've had both go bad simultaneously) VWVortex.com - 98 Jetta Speedometer & Tachometer not working - already replaced cluster

 

I just had a new battery, timing belt/water pump, mass air flow sensor and 2 engine mounts done. All the other gauges work except the tachometer, speedometer and odometer? The guy I had do the work is expert, not a back yard kind of fellow, where do I start? Now I am reading vague and varying replies to the question of the odometer reading when it's swapped out, some say the reading is in the cluster, others say it's in the car computer, some say dealer has to reprogram the swap, Geez!

 

Vehicle Speed Sensor (not the cam speed sensor). Cheap and easy to install.

 

Thank you, I will try that Sunday, still the same thought(s) if intermittent?
Worked on the way to get it smogged, stopped working when he put it on the dyno!

 

Yeah, all electronics can become "crippled" which will cause them to work intermittently. That caused my Cruise Control to work intermittently.

That would be my first guess - and if it's not the answer, you still get a brand new important part replaced for cheap, that's easy to install.

 

Says the transmission would have shifting issues, can't be that, I am going to try unplugging the ABS in the morning.

 

Bought another cluster out of a 1996 A4 with half the miles, works perfectly now. I believe in posting resolutions, it's frustrating when threads end without an answer.