My 2006 a4 cab...during daylight, my dash instruments no longer light. Difficult to see when in shadow. When headlights are on both manually or automatically, they do light. Can this be fixed or do I need a new cluster?

 

I think the 2006 cab is a B6, not B7? ...was thinking the first B7 cab was 2007 or 2008? Not certain, but my point is you may want to check with their group. On the B7 cluster, there is an electronic light sensor in the bottom left corner for the cluster lights. They come on whenever the cabin is dark enough to warrant light, and i found are independent of the exterior light. I only keep mine on automatic, so it may be that the cluster eye only works when it is set to automatic, then when lights are set to on perhaps cluster lights are forced on. It was hard for me to figure out if my headlights were on (example...in my state, it is a law that headlamps must be on when raining, no matter the level of light outside.) Since the exterior lights came on differently than the cluster, I ended up grabbing vag-com and programming the head lamp light to illuminate on the cluster (it's a green light that appears above and right of the screen, but left the factory turned off for US market because of the DRL is supposed to be on). What you are describing maybe how they are supposed to work as programmed...but I bet you there is a way to go into vag-com and change it...or open up the cluster and put black tape on the eye? or hot wire it?

 

Aublutiger...thanks for the reply. According to this BBS contents, 2005 1/2 on is B7. Anyway, where is the sensor for the panel lights? You say lower left, but I don't see it. Can it be replaced or repaired?

 

The cabriolet lagged behind a little bit. Technically, model years 2007-2009 were B7s. I believe your 2006 is likely a B6 which may explain the difference you're seeing.

Audi A4 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"The B7 Cabriolet model arrived later than the other two body variants, with sales beginning in February 2006."