hello lovely briskoda people,

 

I am seeking some help with my instrument cluster. I wouldn't consider myself mechanically inept at all, but when it comes to autoelectrics...well let's just say I have killed a car entirely with nothing but a soldering iron. Therefore anybody who would like to weigh in with their possible explanations will be gladly welcomed.

 

2009 octavia elegance estate 1.9-

 

Since I bought the car just over a year ago, the lights at the top of the cluster have been somewhat dodgy. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it- sometimes the low beam light works, more often not though. The left indicator light and cruise control light seem to be dimmly illuminated almost all the time. Indicator lights work as they should all the time, however very rarely I notice an absence of the normal relay clicking sound.

 

This left me boggled, and as I could live with it I carried on. I now, however have finally gotten around to making note of the fault code it is flagging, and have decided to go to you wonderful lot for advice.

 

Fault code is- 05712 - databus drivetrain missing message from instrument cluster.

 

This tells me and my lacking autoelectric capabilities that there is an issue in communication between the ECU and Instrument cluster, possibly a lack of current on a particular circuit explaining the dim lights...or a short? Causing the left indicator to be constantly illuminated.

 

However, I am in no way certain that it isnt a fault within the cluster itself. I am not sure I want to be messing with PCB.

 

So I ask you all-

 

What could it be?

Is it likely to be as simple as cleaning connections or replugging in a cable?

If it is the cluster, can I simply fit a second hand one without worrying about immobilisers or mileage? 

 

I thank you wizardous folk in advance

 

Stocty

It could be as simple as a bad wiring connection, then again maybe a bad solder join on the cluster PCB, even a scrambled chip somewhere which may come good after disconnecting the battery for an hour (?).

 

Start with the easy diagnosing first.

 

I believe a replacement cluster will require coding for things to function.

Thanks MicMac.

 

Indeed I will start with disconnecting the battery and letting things reset.

 

I had a feeling coding would be required, so perhaps I will be removing the cluster and looking for anything obvious too

 

Cheers again