Architex mA8tey Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 Hey guys, newbie here based in Swindon and just bought a 99 FL 3.7 A8 QS which im lovin lovin lovin! thanks to the forum too as its been quite useful to read about issues and what to look for before purchasing (check out my profile pics if you'd like to see what the new addition to the family looks like!) I run a company car also which racks up the miles so this is just for fun and wafting at the weekends! OK my question relates to dash LEDs ive noticed mine are fine until the car has run for about 30-60 minutes and gets warmer then a few of the LED dots start to disappear on the clock LEDs only - any ideas anyone? the car has 112k on the clock and FSH and everything else seems fine at the moment. Thanks for any help and advice you all can give regards Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
las247 Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 Hey! and welcome! Not sure about the LED's but I had exactly the same issue with a 96 BMW 520i, never did get to the route of it. Someone will be along soon with an answer. This place never ceases to amaze me in that respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figure11 Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 Neil, Can't help with the LEDs mate but welcome to Tyresmoke and the 8s forum. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Welcome! Never heard about this LED issue on the 8. I do recall such an issue with the A3 in certain years, way back when... which had to do with temperature. Perhaps a search will tell you more about this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli18 Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 (edited) hi Architex mA8tey and welcome to TSN! Nice to see another Swindon-based 8 on the forum (i live in london but the gf lives in swindon so i'm up quite a bit on the weekends). I have a similar problem in that the bottom right display on the dash (the one showing the mileage) is perfectly fine and then gradually dissappears after about 20-30 mins also. I've read about it on the forums in the past and remember someone replacing the LED unit in the dash but it being quite a pricey part. Sorry but can't find the thread any more. Again welcome and hope you get it sorted! -Oli PS - We love pics so put some in the sticky thread if you have any!!! :-) Edited August 19, 2008 by Oli18 spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Welcome to TSN fella I have exactly the same problem, and have decided that I can't be bothered to fix it. Someone did replace the unit some time ago, it may have been PaulW. IIRC it was an expensive, and PITA part to replace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ska Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Welcome to TSN mA8tey+++ Nice car love the colour:grin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harpersimon Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Welcome. I have a pixel out on the Radio display, but otherwise don't have this issue. Normally listen to my own music so not a show stopper :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Don't worry about the pixels. My A6 QS Avant has the same issue. Cold temps, more of the display is visible. As the car warms, the dispaly fades away slowly. Not completely, but still very noticable. Live with it, as I think it might be dash out and replace the whole dash unit rather than 'just' the LED display. I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treetotreef Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 audi pixel dashboard repairs at Digital Mileage Correction Specialist covering london, mileage correction adjustment reset for digital dashboards and odometer but prices start at £200...ouch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Architex mA8tey Posted August 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Hey everyone and thanks for the warm welcome and comments, its not something that annoys me terribly and I think a couple of you are right when you say "live with it" - its sometimes just nice to know whats the reason behind why its happening so i'll file that one for future reference! A little voice in my brain wondered if the other dash bulbs heating up had the effect if they were close to the LED but I guess every A8 would do it then! Big shouts to Oli18 and MkOneMan who are close by so hopefully I'll catch up with you both - I'm in Swindon, Bristol, London (lets just say the whole damn roadworks-ridden M4 lol ) and Oxford/Witney areas quite a bit by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkoneman Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 i may well see you in the witney area then i work just outside and pass though a lot or someone i know might spot you, i always get reports from people when they spot a a/s8 in the area let me know if there is any little bits u need for yours as i have one breaking at the moment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsYcHe Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Unless you can get the same LED unit, then it's going to be a bugger to swap unless you can get a whole dash unit. IT_S8 will be along soon .. He'll have a couple about I expect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IT_S8 Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Unless you can get the same LED unit, then it's going to be a bugger to swap unless you can get a whole dash unit. IT_S8 will be along soon .. He'll have a couple about I expect. Did someone call ? The fading dash LED's problem is common sadly, affected a lot of BMW's in exactly the same way. It's a VDO thing more than an Audi thing but doesn't help us. It affects early facelift 1998/1999 cars (manufacture date, not first reg date - theres a big difference, 12 months+ on some) It works better when cold, and gets worse as it warms up. Some people have it on worse on the date/time than the odo and vice versa. It affects all models. 2.8. 3.7 and 4.2. Doesnt seem to really affect the DIS / Trip computer. The problem is that the instrument cluster is the heart of the car - it integrates into so many things, including the immobiliser so simply changing it over will render your car useless, plus the mileage will undoubtably be wrong. We've researched a number of 'specialists' that claim to be able to sort out the immobiliser and mileage if you do swop over, but the general gist is that the A8's are hardest, and after facelift they got harder. There are many horror stories of people trying and ending up with a totally mashed dash. You're looking at about a grand from Audi for a new one, so its just not worth it. It doesn't affect pre facelift, or seemingly any 2001+ cars. There are a good number of 1999 cars that work fine, so its not a certainty that it will fail by any means. So, er, if it is bust, live with it basically Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Architex mA8tey Posted August 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Thanks IT_S8 for the detailed answer - you are indeed the God everyone says you are! I suppose that's us early facelifter's punishment for escaping the governments additional tax clutches LOL I bought the car from a dealer with a huge 360 point check so this was obviousley point no. 361 and wont be covered by the warrenty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now