OK, so I decided to remove the instrument panel from my mk1 octavia because they were playing up, with the intention to have a look at it before I attempted a repair. Anyway long story short, I put the instruments back into the car (without making any mods) and when I tried to start it the immobiliser light was flashing and the car wouldnt start.

Should I expect this to happen? Or is it likely that there is something else wrong with the instruments?

VAC COM is showing errors with signal strength but the car was working fine before I took out the instruments...

I am guessing that I have to re-code the keys to the immobiliser, but I dont have the SKC!

A simple bit of tinkering has turned into a nightmare because I cant now use the car!!

Any help much appreciated.

Only time I've seen this happen is when a mate accidentally pulled out a fuse which he thought was for his interior lights and it was actually for the instruments and immobiliser - I take it you haven't pulled any fuses?

If the key does need to be re-coded to the immobiliser and you don't have the SKC code I think the car would have to be flatbedded to a dealer so they can do it. There are lots of people on here that have removed their instrument panel as there are problems with the instruments on pre-2001 lower spec models so hopefully someone will be along in a minute that can advise whether its happened to them.

Only time I've seen this happen is when a mate accidentally pulled out a fuse which he thought was for his interior lights and it was actually for the instruments and immobiliser - I take it you haven't pulled any fuses?

If the key does need to be re-coded to the immobiliser and you don't have the SKC code I think the car would have to be flatbedded to a dealer so they can do it. There are lots of people on here that have removed their instrument panel as there are problems with the instruments on pre-2001 lower spec models so hopefully someone will be along in a minute that can advise whether its happened to them.

I've not pulled any fuses, and I have had the battery disconnected, which I would have thought would have had the same effect as removing the harness from the back of the instrument panel.

As VAG-COM is showing some error codes for the instrument pack, I'm wondering if something else has gone wrong with it...

I think I may have replied to a duplicate of this topic somewhere, but you have probably have been advised correctly, as cluster failure is quite common.

We can code a second hand cluster in for you and correct the mileage for you for £60.

I think I may have replied to a duplicate of this topic somewhere, but you have probably have been advised correctly, as cluster failure is quite common.

We can code a second hand cluster in for you and correct the mileage for you for £60.

Would I need to get the car to you, or can you code the cluster and send it to me? If you code the cluster, will I not just have the same problem I have now that the immobiliser won't work when I plug it back in?

Thanks

I would need the car I'm afraid.

I had a simillar thing when I attempted this on a MK1 cluster, I removed the cluster and put it back in and the car would not start. Turns out I had not seated one of the two connectors properly, so the immo was not getting the transponder data. IIRC it was the connector closest to the A pillar that was not put on right.

I had a simillar thing when I attempted this on a MK1 cluster, I removed the cluster and put it back in and the car would not start. Turns out I had not seated one of the two connectors properly, so the immo was not getting the transponder data. IIRC it was the connector closest to the A pillar that was not put on right.

You, my friend, are a star!!!

Turns out that I had done exactly the same, I was distracted when fitting the harness closest to the A-pillar and it turns out that I did not connect it properly! I have had the cluster out again and sorted it and it is now working fine!

So it is possible to remove the cluster from the car and it not mess up the immobiliser. I was confused when it happened originally because I am having to run the gauges without fuse 15 fitted, which removes power from the cluster when the engine is off.

I have ordered Vag Tacho though (a bit hastily maybe) so if anyone has got a good used cluster I'd be interested!

Thanks for all replies received