Are there pieces missing on these used A2 dashboards?

[Tmmo]

Hey there folks. I need to buy a second hand dashboard here in france for my 2002 A2 1.4. I'm finding a few reasonable options that are from 2001's, and am wondering if anyone knows if they will be compatible with my 2002? They appear to be the same exact part, but before taking the chance on ordering the newer, cheaper 2001 part, i'd like to see if I can find some peace of mind about compatibility.

More importantly, as I look closely at the pictures, it seems the middle 'port' varies as one can see in the pictures. One has a grey piece, one shows the green circuit board, and others lack that (at least in the photos. Would anyone say any of these look incomplete, or in much better shape than the others?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[timmus]

Hello Tmmo,

The instrument cluster with the grey connector is for A2s with DIS (the trip computer that displays fuel economy, etc).
Instrument clusters without the grey connector are for A2s without DIS (that have a half-height central screen).

Do you know the exact part number of your existing instrument cluster?
It will be 8Z0 920 9XX X.

Cluster cross-compatibility is a minefield, especially between 2001 and 2002, so knowing your existing instrument cluster part number would be useful to provide accurate advice.

Cheers,

Tom

 

[Alan_uk]

There you go @Tmmo a reply from probably the UK's, if not Europe's, no. 1 expert @timmus on A2 electrics, all within 30 minutes! What more could a newcomer expect! Welcome.

 

[Tmmo]

Hello Tmmo,

The instrument cluster with the grey connector is for A2s with DIS (the trip computer that displays fuel economy, etc).
Instrument clusters without the grey connector are for A2s without DIS (that have a half-height central screen).

Do you know the exact part number of your existing instrument cluster?
It will be 8Z0 920 9XX X.

Cluster cross-compatibility is a minefield, especially between 2001 and 2002, so knowing your existing instrument cluster part number would be useful to provide accurate advice.

Cheers,

Tom

A 1000 thanks Tom! Appreciate the sage advice ; ) My A2 is at the shop, a bit of a ways from me, where it was last seen coasting to a stop a month or so ago. Just turned off on a quiet lil french traffic circle, hehe. Diagnosed as a faulty fuel pump, but after replacing it, it was still not turning over. Next, they brought in a local audi specialist who said the instrument cluster needed to be replaced (2 strikes left). They have to bring it to the audi spot in town to have them take note of the mileage and all that, and then, after replacement, bring it again to reset the mileage to where it was at etc..or so im told. So, its over there with them. If i can get them to start the process, ill ask them to screen shot the back of the present cluster to get the exact number. Sounds like the safest bet. At least it seems that I should only purchase the 2002 version if there's such a discrepancy between years and compatibility. It def does not have the DIS screen. Would a cluster with a DIS ever be compatible with a year/model that didn't originally have one?
Many thanks again for the swift wisdom.

 

[timmus]

A 1000 thanks Tom! Appreciate the sage advice ; ) My A2 is at the shop, a bit of a ways from me, where it was last seen coasting to a stop a month or so ago. Just turned off on a quiet lil french traffic circle, hehe. Diagnosed as a faulty fuel pump, but after replacing it, it was still not turning over. Next, they brought in a local audi specialist who said the instrument cluster needed to be replaced (2 strikes left). They have to bring it to the audi spot in town to have them take note of the mileage and all that, and then, after replacement, bring it again to reset the mileage to where it was at etc..or so im told. So, its over there with them. If i can get them to start the process, ill ask them to screen shot the back of the present cluster to get the exact number. Sounds like the safest bet. At least it seems that I should only purchase the 2002 version if there's such a discrepancy between years and compatibility. It def does not have the DIS screen. Would a cluster with a DIS ever be compatible with a year/model that didn't originally have one?
Many thanks again for the swift wisdom.

If there weren't so many miles between us, I would gladly solve this issue and save you all the headaches. I work with A2 instrument clusters almost every week, so know them well.

Clusters with DIS screens can be fitted into other A2s (I've done this countless times), but this process requires additional wiring looms and is therefore not 'plug-n-play'.

I wonder why your instrument cluster was deemed to be faulty. Either way, I hope that the issue is easily resolved.

All the best,

Tom

 

[Tmmo]

If there weren't so many miles between us, I would gladly solve this issue and save you all the headaches. I work with A2 instrument clusters almost every week, so know them well.

Clusters with DIS screens can be fitted into other A2s (I've done this countless times), but this process requires additional wiring looms and is therefore not 'plug-n-play'.

I wonder why your instrument cluster was deemed to be faulty. Either way, I hope that the issue is easily resolved.

All the best,

Tom

Many thanks again Timmus! I'm headed to the garage this week to check for the part number (8Z0 920 9XX X.) Will that just be on the back side of the cluster, or is it hidden elsewhere?

Also, the garage is telling me it will cost 500-600 euros (not including the cost of the cluster) to do, including cluster removal, bringing it to the audi shop to take note of the mileage and then reset it after the garage puts in the new one. Is that reasonable, or is this american in france gettin fleeced?

I will be buying a used one with around 150-200k already on it. The audi folks will usually be able to set the new (old) one to the real mileage? Just wondering if this replacement job is something I can just do by myself, or if Audi needs to input certain data so the car is able to correctly communicate with itself after installing the new cluster? Thanks for the patience as i learn the ways of the A2 ; )
Any and all counsel is much appreciated!