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Instrument cluster bulb problem

Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2019 11:19 pm
by Bin-The-L-Plates
Recently bought a 2012 2.0 L GT Bluemotion TDI DSG, and really happy with it.

Not sure why it’s happening but it appears that there’s no warning lights on the dashboard to let me know that the sidelights/headlights/main beam/front fog lights are working or switched on. They all physically work fine when switched on, but there’s no little warning lights on the dash, especially annoying is the main beam icon.
Also, and may or may not be connected but the fog light switch only illuminates for the rear fog lights and the front fog light switch icon remains off. Again, they both physically work but only the rear fogs light up the switch, this is also the same on the dashboard.

Is it as simple as replacing the specific warning light bulbs that don’t work on the dashboard instrument cluster, or something more sinister ?

Re: Instrument cluster bulb problem

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2019 10:04 am
by Bin-The-L-Plates
Ok, had a bit of time to investigate and take out the instrument cluster, typical modern car it’s appears all circuit boards and LED’s I guess, so simple bulb stops.
I’m assuming the only way to fix it is to replace the whole cluster.
If I get a replacement, is it just a straight swop and the the ECU remembers the mileage etc ..... ?

Re: Instrument cluster bulb problem

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2019 11:38 am
by Cuprabob
There is no warning light in the cluster for sidelights, dipped beam or front fog lights. High Beam is the only one you mention that has a warning light in the cluster. Rear fog light does have a warning light in the cluster.

Re: Instrument cluster bulb problem

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2019 2:06 pm
by Bin-The-L-Plates
Cuprabob wrote:There is no warning light in the cluster for sidelights, dipped beam or front fog lights. High Beam is the only one you mention that has a warning light in the cluster. Rear fog light does have a warning light in the cluster.
Thanks for the info.
The handbook is as clear as muddy water and in 35 years of driving I’ve yet to see a more complicated mishmash of info. Bares the ramblings of a drunk German on too many Stein’s........
It does talk about different symbols but these m hit be just the icons on ythe switches, but i’ll have another, ok it’ll be about the 10th read, and see if I can decifer it all.
Shame that the main beam and rear fog warmings are missing, might have to investigate replacing it, especially if it’s an easy swop out

Re: Instrument cluster bulb problem

Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 6:34 pm
by Bin-The-L-Plates
Progress, sort of......

Ordered off eBay a new light switch, which incidentally the dealers want the thick end of £100 for, so £10 was a cheap ‘see if it works’ option.
And it did, or temporarily did. The main beam icon was displayed on the dash, but after a few goes refused to come back on.
Locked it and did a few driving lessons, and tried again and it the main beam icon worked again for a couple of goes.

I can only assume the switch is faulty or a grubby connection.
I’ll try and find away of cleaning it or maybe try and replace it.

Is the steering wheel an easy removal, as I guess it need to be taken out to replace the light and wiper arm ?
Anyone got a quick link ?