Disco dash/fuel and engine temperature gauges turning off

[robbertploum]

Hey guys,

I have the Disco dash problem.

I've seen quite a few post and threads about it, but I didn't find a concrete answer and had a few questions.

I've seen people talk about the front well, foot well etc, but I can't figure out what a front well or foot well is. It's probably because I'm Dutch, but searching online on Google also didn't give me the answer.

The plan I have right now is to start removing my dashboard and drying the connections to the dashboard. I will also maybe put a heat shrink tube around the cable/connector.

Is this a good idea to start with or is it better to start with a different plan?

Would like to hear from you guys!

 

[MoToJoJo]

The footwell is the area where your feet go when in the front seat.

The why is because if you lift the carpet and it's wet as hell then water is getting in through the wiring cover in the scuttle panel (the bit under the wipers). As there's a fair bit of electrics under that cover, it's usually what's affected

 

[Alexis27]

Simplest solution would probably to pull out the dash cluster (what show the speed and revs) and see if there are any issues with that.
You can send them away to be resoldered.

 

[robbertploum]

Simplest solution would probably to pull out the dash cluster (what show the speed and revs) and see if there are any issues with that.
You can send them away to be resoldered.

I already tried that, but the problem got worse. My car also really smells damp. The first problem I encountered started with my central locking module/remote closing the car that didn't work anymore.

I already had a few electrical problems, so I assume that it isn't related to the dash cluster. When I get home, I will probably start working on my car and also reading the fault codes that are coming up through the VAG com.

 

[robbertploum]

I have taken a few pics for you guys. When the car is turned off and the key is out of the ignition, the airbag light and TCS light are on. Sometimes they or the whole backlight of the dashboard turn on or off again or start flickering.

When the ignition is on, the TCS light still lights up, but it is very dimmed.

While the ignition is on, sometimes the fuel gauge goes to 0.

My car also started with beeping in the morning today and the red light for the engine temperature started flashing even though I just started my car and there was still enough cooling fluid.

After I came back from work, the symptoms of beeping and the red light flashing where gone. These are all problems that come and go again.

As I also mentioned, my car really smells damp and these symptoms all occur when there has been a lot of rain. After a long period of having the sun outside, most of the problems are gone again.

 

[MoToJoJo]

Ok, probably the seal on the electric panel I mentioned before has failed. Plenty of guides out there to show how to fix it (use butyl tape not sealant)

 

[robbertploum]

Ok, probably the seal on the electric panel I mentioned before has failed. Plenty of guides out there to show how to fix it (use butyl tape not sealant)

Thanks! Will give it a try soon! When it doesn't work I will reply here again.

 

[robbertploum]

Ok, probably the seal on the electric panel I mentioned before has failed. Plenty of guides out there to show how to fix it (use butyl tape not sealant)

You mean that this seal is the problem? If so, I know enough and will give it a try tomorrow. Bought butyl tape too, except it isn't the same as the door seals.

 

[MoToJoJo]

No.

Under that you'll find a cover with a black bundle of wires coming out. That's the problem area.

Once you have access to it, undo the 2 10mm nuts, lift the cover and you will see if the seal is gone. If so, clean up the area, apply the butyl tape (be very generous with it), put the wiring back, tighten up the two nuts and that should do it