Golf Mk2 Instrument Cluster Repair - Part 1 - Removal

[@ledmk2]

I remove dashboard panel / fusebox cover under the dachboard and then go from down to up to disconnect the speedo cable

[@FinalDecap]

That can work too, I just find there isn't much space due to the various wiring and the column being there so in from the side is a bit easier.

[@ryanince4646]

On my MK2 the speedometer works on the cluster however the cluster does not light up only the clock and brights light bulb works. The rev counter does not work too, what could be the possible cause and a solution to the problem

[@FinalDecap]

The cluster itself doesn't light up, bu there are a couple of bulbs that point into the cluster. They might have blown, easy enough to replace once you have the cluster out of the car. I did a second video of taking the cluster to pieces if that'll help. If the rev counter doesn't work it's most likely that the blue plastic circuit 'board' is broken, at least that's what stopped one of the clusters I was repairing a different time. Sadly the only way to repair that is to swap it for a known good one from a cluster of the same type (gti for gti, driver for driver, etc.)

[@Eric76]

Can I ask you if the odometer - both the trip and overall mileage meters have failed but not the temperature, speedometer, petrol or clock parts of the dash. Would a sensor near the gearbox fail? There seems to be a little confusion about why the odometer could fail independently from the other parts of dash.

[@FinalDecap]

If the speedo works then it's the mechanical part that spins the odometer inside the dash cluster that's failed (same as mine). As it's a mechanical part it's something that can fail over time, especially as it's run using plastic cogs. My Part 2 video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/anbHiZJ8oLpkfKs shows how I dismantle the cluster and replace the main problem I had which was the converter between the speedo drive and odometer display. For me I think it was an internal part of the converter which failed and as I had a couple of spare sets clusters I took known good parts from one to fix the set I wanted to use.

[@doctersedevige3612]

Where do you buy those VDO dash holder thanks

[@FinalDecap]

It was a fairly cheap and generic holder from ebay "Triple 52mm x 3 Gauge Holder Pod Panel - Standard Stereo Radio Slot Single Din" will find it. it wasn't great but did the job. There are/were better ones out there but they were very expensive...I suspect you can probably find someone that 3D prints better ones these days.

[@Isah305]

I have to remove all of that just so i remove instrument cluster??

[@FinalDecap]

Isah305 Yes. You have to take the front of the dash off which means removing everything basically. It's awkward but once you've done it a couple of times it's quite quick to do (I've had mine out loads of times).

[@Isah305]

FinalDecap Thanks for quick reply. Yeah practise makes everything perfect. I tought about making IC brighter. Maybe removing green panel if possible. I think that only would be enough without making changes to bulbs etc?

[@FinalDecap]

Isah305 AHH ok, in that case you're best off replacing the bulbs for some LEDs. The bulbs are normal incandescent ones and the green filter is part of the cluster and requires a huge amount of work to remove. r.ebay.com/4fQIHM - Warm White ones of these are what you want.

[@Isah305]

FinalDecap again thank you for advice and reply. Do I need some adjusting to do for those leds or just replace old ones with LED ones? (Sorry if I missspelled something. English is not my native language)

[@FinalDecap]

They should just fit straight in, unclip the old ones and clip the new ones in. I'm sure there are other sellers of the bulbs, I just know that in the UK that ebay shop is a good source for them. You only need to replace 2 bulbs for the main cluster lighting, in the second video I made you can see them being removed around 3.55 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/anbHiZJ8oLpkfKsm53s