Dash illumination NCT failure?

Dizzicizzi

Well! I'm finally getting around to buying a new GT TDI after my last one was written off. I have found a good one that I want to go see (and probably buy) but it apparently has an issue with the dash illumination. From what I can gather, it doesn't light up when the lights are turned on, or at all for that matter.

So my question is this: Is this fault an NCT failure? Would it be an easy fix?

I don't want to make the long journey to go see this, buy it and then realise that it's fookered.

Stheno

Dizzicizzi wrote: »

Well! I'm finally getting around to buying a new GT TDI after my last one was written off. I have found a good one that I want to go see (and probably buy) but it apparently has an issue with the dash illumination. From what I can gather, it doesn't light up when the lights are turned on, or at all for that matter.

So my question is this: Is this fault an NCT failure? Would it be an easy fix?

I don't want to make the long journey to go see this, buy it and then realise that it's fookered.

Nct fail on engine management and airbag lights and one other I cant remember for diesels. Is it all the lights or specific ones?

bryaner

Not full sure, but I'd imagine not being able to see the speedo at night would constitute a fail.

Dizzicizzi

Yeah, see that's what I was thinking. Not being able to see the dash at night seems a bit dangerous alright, but it says nowhere that it is a fail.

All of the warning lights still illuminate on start up.

circadian

I wouldn't take any risks unless it's a cheap fix. There may not be a specific stipulation for it, but it's still hard to call especially if the Speedo doesn't light up.

Might be an idea to call a few garages for a quick estimate on the job before you make your mind up.

Dizzicizzi

I'm trying to see if there are any VW forums that have people with similar issues, but nothing.

Might be a stupid question, but do you think a standard mechanic would know? Or would I have to try an auto electrician?

Stheno

Dizzicizzi wrote: »

Yeah, see that's what I was thinking. Not being able to see the dash at night seems a bit dangerous alright, but it says nowhere that it is a fail.

All of the warning lights still illuminate on start up.

Ah I read your first post wrong. My last nct the rev counter wasn't lighting up and it passed

Dizzicizzi

Stheno wrote: »

Ah I read your first post wrong. My last nct the rev counter wasn't lighting up and it passed

Yeah, but if it's the entire dash, I am reckoning that it will be quite noticeable when they turn on the headlights to check alignment?

punisher5112

Engine management light no longer a fail.
It will pass once it isn't something major as in emissions etc.

Anjobe

punisher5112 wrote: »

Engine management light no longer a fail.
It will pass once it isn't something major as in emissions etc.

Engine management not illuminated is a prerequisite for the diesel smoke test.

I would guess that there is more than 1 bulb for dash illumination, so if they are all out it could be just a fuse?

Dizzicizzi

Well a diesel's not about to fail on emissions anyway :pac: lol. But I know what you mean.

It would just be Murphy's law that I take the risk and it turns out to be a fail and then a shizzle load to fix.

Dizzicizzi

Guy selling it has said (rather cryptically) "It could be the fuse, or it could be the wiring."

punisher5112

Dizzicizzi wrote: »

Guy selling it has said (rather cryptically) "It could be the fuse, or it could be the wiring."

May be a warning as to not original dash maybe.
Be wary of clocking.

martinr5232

If your full speedometer is not lit up its an nct failure.

Im not sure about vw's but i would imagine the cluster is lit up with led's so its possible its a problem with the cluster.

It would be an idea to find out is the heater controls lighting up or is it confined to the cluster.

aisr1ofk43dpy5

it is a fail for the nct test if they spot it I got away with it once but not next time. It was a focus and an independent mechanic sorted it.

Dizzicizzi

I don't *really* mind about clocking. Golfs go forever anyway, the last one had ridiculous mileage, but she ran like a beaut!

Always a good thing to look out for, especially in GT TDIs, as they are always imports and as we all know, imports are not to be trusted when it comes to mileage!

Dizzicizzi

Daphne Odd Wine wrote: »

it is a fail for the nct test if they spot it I got away with it once but not next time. It was a focus and an independent mechanic sorted it.

Did it cost an arm and a leg?

Mycroft H

punisher5112 wrote: »

May be a warning as to not original dash maybe.
Be wary of clocking.

I'd walk away. Plenty of other ones to choose from

Dizzicizzi

Mycroft H wrote: »

I'd walk away. Plenty of other ones to choose from

Not really. My problem is, I am on a fairly tight budget and I only want one spec'd with a sun roof and centre arm rest... I'm fussy, I know, but there it is.

I am searching for one to replace the one I lost so I want it to be similar...

mgbgt1978

It could well be that somebody tried to fit Led's rather than normal '504' 3 watt bulbs...to make it look 'brighter' or to change the colour.
The fact that the Led's have no resistance (compared to the normal bulb) can blow part of the circuit board that controls the brightness, etc of the Dash illumination.
These are usually built into the instrument cluster so the cheapest fix would often be to get another cluster from a Breaker.
Factor in the work involved in removing the old one and then fitting the new one and you would want to be getting a decent discount off the asking price.

It would be very unusual to have a Fuse for just the Dash Illumination alone, so I'd reckon you can rule that out.

Stheno

Dizzicizzi wrote: »

Not really. My problem is, I am on a fairly tight budget and I only want one spec'd with a sun roof and centre arm rest... I'm fussy, I know, but there it is.

I am searching for one to replace the one I lost so I want it to be similar...

I've a very simple rule when it comes to buyinig cars, learned after almost a decade of driving alfas that are at least ten years old and almost always have something wrong.

It is as follows: "Am I reasonably (at least 75%) sure what the issues are?
Can I reasonably fix them? Are they likely to point to deeper issues?"

If the answer to all the first two is yes, and the last is no, fine, if the opposite, I walk away.

Apply that logic to your situation.

From what I've read on here, I'd be wary of a 2007 golf with what look like superficial issues.

Dizzicizzi

Stheno wrote: »

I've a very simple rule when it comes to buyinig cars, learned after almost a decade of driving alfas that are at least ten years old and almost always have something wrong.

It is as follows: "Am I reasonably (at least 75%) sure what the issues are?
Can I reasonably fix them? Are they likely to point to deeper issues?"

If the answer to all the first two is yes, and the last is no, fine, if the opposite, I walk away.

Apply that logic to your situation.

From what I've read on here, I'd be wary of a 2007 golf with what look like superficial issues.

Well the issue there is buying Alfas lol. Sorry, I can't stand them! Haven't met one that *didn't* have issues, especially electrical faults! But your advice is very good. That's why I am trying to suss out how much it will cost to fix this and if anyone knows if it's a problem that runs deeper. I just wish there was someone who has come across this before and had it fixed.

Probably should have said, it's a 1999 MK4, some context might have been good there lol.

Stheno

Dizzicizzi wrote: »

Well the issue there is buying Alfas lol. Sorry, I can't stand them! Haven't met one that *didn't* have issues, especially electrical faults! But your advice is very good. That's why I am trying to suss out how much it will cost to fix this and if anyone knows if it's a problem that runs deeper. I just wish there was someone who has come across this before and had it fixed.

Probably should have said, it's a 1999 MK4, some context might have been good there lol.

I don't mean to be rude, but given that I've spent a bit of time and effort to assist you, it's rather insulting of you to deride my choice of car, given that you think the advice is good.

I misread your OP and thought it was a 2007 car. Given it's a car of that age, and of fairly low value, I'd give this one a miss and move on. And btw, I once owned (in 1999) a 99 Golf for a couple of years :pac: from new, and had enough issues with it that it left me cold in relation to VWs.

And rather strangely I've never had an alfa (out of three) with the infamous electrical faults.

If you are going to come onto a motoring forum looking for advice, and you get it on the basis of what people have learned, and appreciate the advice, mocking their choice of cars is rather rude.

Dizzicizzi

Stheno wrote: »

I don't mean to be rude, but given that I've spent a bit of time and effort to assist you, it's rather insulting of you to deride my choice of car, given that you think the advice is good.

I misread your OP and thought it was a 2007 car. Given it's a car of that age, and of fairly low value, I'd give this one a miss and move on. And btw, I once owned (in 1999) a 99 Golf for a couple of years :pac: from new, and had enough issues with it that it left me cold in relation to VWs.

And rather strangely I've never had an alfa (out of three) with the infamous electrical faults.

If you are going to come onto a motoring forum looking for advice, and you get it on the basis of what people have learned, and appreciate the advice, mocking their choice of cars is rather rude.

Really sorry it really only meant it in jest. It was never my intention to cause any offence. I've just had a *lot* of bad experiences with Alfas, witnessed one fairly recently too, so it was mostly that I was referencing.

I am not new to motors really, I have been around for a while, I generally just read the posts without starting threads, because most questions have already been asked and a quick search can find them fairly handy! The OH is fairly au fait with cars too so it's rare I don't have an answer.

I do appreciate you taking the time to answer and as I have said, it was sound advice. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Stheno

Dizzicizzi wrote: »

Really sorry it really only meant it in jest. It was never my intention to cause any offence. I've just had a *lot* of bad experiences with Alfas, witnessed one fairly recently too, so it was mostly that I was referencing.

I am not new to motors really, I have been around for a while, I generally just read the posts without starting threads, because most questions have already been asked and a quick search can find them fairly handy! The OH is fairly au fait with cars too so it's rare I don't have an answer.

I do appreciate you taking the time to answer and as I have said, it was sound advice. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

No problem, and thanks for posting, I am in a crabby mood today, whilst I'd normally laugh it off I wasn't in the mood tonight.

What you might want to do is start a thread in the buying subforum? Call out your requirements, and the posters there will come up with all sorts you mightn't find yourself?

They are like an army of internet searchers

I was looking for a particular car recently, and they found me one, as their search parameters were better than mine, so it's worth a go?

Dizzicizzi

Stheno wrote: »

No problem, and thanks for posting, I am in a crabby mood today, whilst I'd normally laugh it off I wasn't in the mood tonight.

What you might want to do is start a thread in the buying subforum? Call out your requirements, and the posters there will come up with all sorts you mightn't find yourself?

They are like an army of internet searchers

I was looking for a particular car recently, and they found me one, as their search parameters were better than mine, so it's worth a go?

Right-ho! Might give that a go so! It's just I am so particular about what I want! It's a labour of love after losing my last one. Feckin' loved that car...

aisr1ofk43dpy5

Dizzicizzi wrote:

Did it cost an arm and a leg?

Can't remember exactly but it wasn't that expensive bit of labour in it ok but that was a focus so not sure of golf set up

Stheno

Dizzicizzi wrote: »

Right-ho! Might give that a go so! It's just I am so particular about what I want! It's a labour of love after losing my last one. Feckin' loved that car...

Here, I have fairly limited criteria on my next car (both the temp one, and the permanent one)

The lads found me a temp car, which I ignored, but was EVERYTHING I wanted, but fate intervened, and as for my permanent car, there are three of them on the case.

No harm in posting.

Now it does help for this sort of stuff if you post the odd bit of help or advice so you get to "know" them so to speak.

For the most part, they are fairly normal, and even if you don't know a lot about cars, if you've any interest at all, you'll find you can contribute a bit to the forum, and that's what it's all about.

Spook_ie

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=63325

Should be of some help