CABRIO
Information in this article also applies to 1995-02 Cabrio.
EARLY PRODUCTION 1999 GOLF, GTI, & JETTA
Information in this article applies up to early production 1999 Golf, GTI and Jetta vehicles. To identify early production vehicles, the 7th and 8th characters of the VIN are 1H.
Driving Data Memory
The Multi-function indicator contains two selectable memories
- Memory 1: Single trip memory
- Memory 2: Total trip memory
The data in these memories can be displayed using the mode select switch (E 86).
The two memories collect all driving data as long as the ignition is on. Both memories can be cancelled manually. See Cancelling The Memories . If the capacity in one memory is exceeded, all data in this memory will be cancelled.
Memory 1 (single trip memory) will automatically be cancelled when ignition is switched on if the ignition was previously switched off continuously for longer than 120 minutes.
Position 1 Of Multi-Function Indicator Memory Switch (E 109)
In position 1 the contents of the single trip memory can be displayed. With ignition on, and until the ignition is switched off, the following driving data is collected
- Driving time
- Distance driven
- Fuel consumption
From this data the average speed and the average fuel consumption is calculated and stored. If the trip is continues within 2 hours of switching off the ignition, the new values are included in the calculation.
Position 2 Of Multi-Function Indicator Memory Switch (E 109)
In position 2 the contents of the total trip memory can be displayed.
The following data from any number of single trips is collected
- Driving time (up to 100 hours)
- Distance driven (up to 10,000 km/miles)
- Fuel consumption (1,000 liters/gallons)
From this data the average speed and consumption for all single trips is calculated and stored. If one of the given maximum memory capacities is exceeded, the memory is cancelled and the calculations start over once again.
Contrary to single trip, the total trip memory is not cancelled after switching the ignition off for two hours.
Cancelling The Memories
Both memories can be cancelled separately with the ignition on. To cancel memories, slide memory switch (E 109) fully left (for memory 1) or right (for memory 2) into position 0 and hold longer than 1 second.
If the battery is disconnected, then both memories are cancelled automatically.
Setting the time
To set the time there are two buttons on the right, below the tachometer. The upper button is for the hour sand the lower button for the minutes.
Pressing the appropriate button briefly will advance the time one hour or one minute. With button depressed, hours or minutes will advance continuously.
With the minute button the time can be set exactly to the second as follows
- Press minute button until time displayed is one minute before time to be set.
- Press minute button at the moment when the second hand of an accurate watch shows a full minute or when the time signal is heard on the radio.
Multi-Function Indicator Check Mode Test
If the display values for the momentary fuel consumption, oil temperature or outside air (ambient) temperature are inaccurate, perform check mode test before attempting repairs.
Instrument Cluster Checking
The electronic components and instruments in the instrument cluster must match the appropriate vehicle equipment. The electronic unit in each instrument cluster has an integrated test mode which can be checked to determine whether the cluster has the correct electronic components and instruments to ensure that the vehicle specific input signals are processed properly and shown in the display.
This check mode for the instrument cluster can be used for troubleshooting and should be checked in all cases of complaints concerning the functioning of the instrument cluster.
Clock Inaccurate
- Reset clock
- Time deviation of 5 seconds/24 hours is permissible
- If clock deviates more than 5 seconds/24hours, replace instrument cluster
Memories Cannot Be Switched Over Or Controlled
See Multi-Function Indicator Mode Select Switch (E 86), Memory Switch (E 109) & Wiring, Checking .
If mode select switch (E 86), memory switch (E 109), and wiring check OK, replace instrument cluster.
Memories Cannot Be Cancelled Or Are Permanently Cancelled (Do Not Store Information)
- Switch ignition on
- Set memory switch (E 109) to position 1: Time is displayed
- Press mode select switch once: Driving time (stored value) is displayed
- Slide memory switch (E 109) fully left from position 1 to position 0 and hold for longer than 1 second: The display goes to 0:00 and changes to 0:01 after 1 minute
- If function is OK, slide memory switch (E 109) fully right past position 2 to position 0 and hold for longer than 1 second The display goes to 0:00 and changes to 0:01 after 1 minute
If one or both memories cannot be cancelled, see Multi-Function Indicator Mode Select Switch (E 86), Memory Switch (E 109) & Wiring, Checking .
If the mode select switch (E 86), memory switch (E 109) and wiring is OK
Replace instrument cluster.
Driving Time Remains at 0:00
See Multi-Function Indicator Mode Select Switch (E 86), Memory Switch (E 109) & Wiring, Checking .
If the mode select switch (E 86), memory switch (E 109) and wiring is OK
Replace instrument cluster.
Driving Distance Remains at 0
If the speedometer (G 21) is also malfunctioning, see Vehicle Speed Sensor, Speedometer (G 22) Checking .
If the wiring and pulses from Vehicle Speed Sensor (G 22) are OK
See Multi-Function Indicator Mode Select Switch (E 86), Memory Switch (E 109) & Wiring, Checking .
If the mode select switch (E 86), memory switch (E 109) and wiring is OK
Replace instrument cluster.
Driving Distance Not Accurate
Deviations up to max. +/- 4% between actual and calculated driving distance are permissible. If the deviation is more than 4%, see Vehicle Speed Sensor, Speedometer (G 22) Checking .
If the wiring and pulses from the Vehicle Speed Sensor (G 22) are OK, replace instrument cluster.
Average Speed Display Remains at "0" Or Display Not Accurate
Check driving distance display and driving time display. If driving time and distance are also inaccurate, continue troubleshooting with Driving Time Remains at 0:00 , Driving Distance Remains at 0 or Driving Distance Not Accurate .
If the driving time and distance displays are OK
Replace instrument cluster.
Average Fuel Consumption Display Not Accurate
If the average speed display and driving distance display are also inaccurate, continue troubleshooting with Driving Time Remains at 0:00 , Driving Distance Remains at 0 or Driving Distance Not Accurate .
If the average speed and driving distance displays are OK
Check fuel consumption signal from engine control module. See appropriate ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC (OBD) article.
Oil Temperature Display Inaccurate
See Oil Temperature Display Checking .
Outside (Ambient) Temperature Display Inaccurate
See Outside (Ambient) Temperature Display Checking .
Multi-Function Indicator Mode Select Switch (E 86), Memory Switch (E 109) & Wiring, Checking
Tools required
- Multimeter Fluke 83
- connector test kit VW 1594
- Test box VAG 1598 with adapter harness VAG 1598/8
Troubleshooting preparations
- Separate 4-pin connector located behind steering column switch trim
- Use valid wiring diagram to check wiring
Scheme 65
Scheme 66
Scheme 67
Vehicle Speed Sensor, Speedometer (G 22) Checking
Tools required
- Multimeter Fluke 83
- Connector test kit VW 1594
- Test box VAG 1598 with adapter harness VAG 1598/8
Test conditions: Distance pulse number and country code OK. See Calling Up Multi-Function Indicator Check Mode Test .
Scheme 68
Oil Temperature Display Checking
Tools required
- Instrument tester VW 1301
- Connector test kit VW 1594
Scheme 69
Outside (Ambient) Temperature Display Checking
Tools required
- Digital potentiometer VAG 1630
- Connector test kit VW 1594
Note. Display range for outside (ambient) temperature is from -40° F to 122° F (-40°C to 50° C). If temperature sensor is not connected, "-40°" is displayed.
