afternoon chaps,

 

Just bought a 2010 superb CR170 Elegance Estate. All seems well so far apart from one thing, which I didn't really consider a big deal until just speaking to my local dealer... 

 

Basically it seems the bulb that lights the speedo needle on the MPH dial is out making it difficult to see how fast I'm going at night. I was expecting to just be able to replace the bulb (seems like a reasonable option) but now the dealer has told me I need to buy an entire new instrument/dash panel for about £1000 as it is a sealed unit!!?!

 

Can anyone confirm if they are just having a go, or if this is legitimate please. For £1000 I have no choice but to live with it, but I'm concerned about MOT failure down the line if I do go with that option.

 

Has anyone replaced these bulbs before and does anyone have any idea if it is possible to open/replace the units if that is definitely what is required. £1000 for a bulb failure?? I don't think so.

 

Regards

 

Where are you?

 

The price is correct if using a main dealer

 

I can swop clusters or could open it up and see if it can be fixed

If you have just bought the car, take it back and get them to fix it.

Seems like a dealer price. No workshop manual I know ever goes into the speedo, it all sais "replace unit". 

 

Best options seems to buy a replacement from a breaker/Chech webshop/eBay, try to retrofit it with help of a local VAG-specialist, then try to open up the broken unit and fix the needle, then selling it on.

 

Try contacting these guys, ask for a new Skoda Superb II dash pod for a DIESEL with login codes, price including P&P to UK. Should get back to you with a quote.

 

[email protected]

 

[email protected]

Edited 29 January, 201412 yr by Too Tall

Yes, I just bought the car from a garage, it wasn't a main dealer but I have a warranty. I will be calling them tomorrow and I will report back if they honour it. If not I will name and shame so others can be aware of them.

Thanks for the email addresses, if the garage refuses I will give them a mail and see how much from them.

Anyone have any idea if it is an MOT failure? The garage MOT'd it the day I picked it up... not being able to see how fast you are going in the dark sounds like it would be a failure...

You just got it. Take it back, make them fix it. That's a ridiculous price to pay just after getting it.

I don't think it will fail the mot as I don't think there's anything about dashboard back lighting.

As said take it back. All else fails you can open it up and replace the led. It will most likely be a small surface mount one which will need soldering

That's the going rate for a new instrument cluster.

 

The dealers won't repair it as it won't be in their workshop manuals etc to do this but that doesn't mean it isn't repairable.

 

First port of call is to go back to who you bought it from.

 

Phil

As a work around can't you just use the digital mph display on the maxi dot?

Should be a "doddle" to open up and re-solder in an LED bulb to replace the blown one.  I wouldn't use the dealer, but I would ask if they will cover the cost of you getting it repaired elsewhere?

To be fair to the dealer Skoda specify the repair procedures and won't let the dealer do something like change an led on the cluster.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

the dials are easy to open - 4xtorx 15, then just replace LED -  very easy job

let me paste my ugly photo, how it looks inside

 

My Yeti is going in for a new cluster under warranty in the next couple of weeks and that would be about a grand if Skoda weren't picking up the tab.

the dials are easy to open - 4xtorx 15, then just replace LED -  very easy job

let me paste my ugly photo, how it looks inside

 

Hi there, do you have any guides or full screenshots with part number for LED required? I'm in IT and spend a lot of time taking apart servers and laptops etc so I think I might give it a shot if the garage negates on its warranty...

ok, spoke to my local Skoda dealer. They have done an official quote @ £1247 incVAT and fitting to replace it. I have relayed this to the garage I bought the car from and they have refused to pay saying they only make X amount on the sale of each car and it isn't possible for them to have outlay like that.

 

They have however offered to source a 2nd hard part (I'm assuming scrappy or something) and install that, however Skoda have informed me that the data such as mileage is non-transferable and the new unit would show the mileage of the car it was taken from as you cannot change it. I'm concerned what effect this may have on re-sale value, etc.

 

The local Skoda dealer say they will fit the 2nd hand unit and sign off that a mileage change has been (labour costs apply ofc, but that's reasonable) made.

 

I welcome thoughts on this, as I'm not entirely sure what I plan to do on this.

..... TBH, i would just split the cluster yourself! will save you all the hassle of changing miles or explaining it to people.

 

If you search in the technical section about replacing backlights there should be a few how to guides in there as people often change the LED's colour! failing that there will probably be someone on here that will come over and help you out.

It is possible to change the milage but not sure if the dealer has the tools for it.

 

It requires a program/cable called vag-tacho.

 

Phil

Out of interest, if I do go with the used replacement dash pod, is there anyone in/around the Dorset/Wiltshire/Hampshire area that has a vag-tacho who wouldn't mind re-programming it for me? I would naturally drive to your location - and supply copious amounts of the beer of your choice

Edited 30 January, 201412 yr by MoogleAssassin

You need to be careful if having a go at taking it apart yourself, only last week I had to swop the motor for the rev counter on a cluster that someone broke while changing needles.

 

Used cluster can have the mileage changed

Out of interest, if I do go with the used replacement dash pod, is there anyone in/around the Dorset/Wiltshire/Hampshire area that has a vag-tacho who wouldn't mind re-programming it for me? I would naturally drive to your location - and supply copious amounts of the beer of your choice

Bump If further than dorset/hampshire/wiltshire I don't mind - have car. Can travel

Edited 30 January, 201412 yr by MoogleAssassin

For that effort, I'd be just trying to replace the LED to be honest.

Unless the car was a bargain I'd return it for a refund. Not worth the effort at this point. It's not your problem that they won't have made a profit and what about the warranty?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

For that effort, I'd be just trying to replace the LED to be honest.

You sound like you have experience soldering things - fancy a copious amount of beer (or equivalent)? I go to Honiton on a fairly regular basis, which doesn't seem a million miles away from you

Do you have part numbers for the LEDs?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Octavia-Clocks-Instrument-Cluster-Dash-Repair-/121266606934?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c3c0d9356

there you go.  lol

Seems like a dealer price. No workshop manual I know ever goes into the speedo, it all sais "replace unit". 

 

Best options seems to buy a replacement from a breaker/Chech webshop/eBay, try to retrofit it with help of a local VAG-specialist, then try to open up the broken unit and fix the needle, then selling it on.

 

Try contacting these guys, ask for a new Skoda Superb II dash pod for a DIESEL with login codes, price including P&P to UK. Should get back to you with a quote.

 

[email protected]

 

[email protected]

Note to self

"Do not ever buy a car from Too Tall".