2012 MK6 Golf Base 2.5 Manual

[VDUB2012Golf2.5]

Instrument cluster issues.
No tach, no speedometer, red flashing oil pressure light, and check engine light. And all the other lights , ABS , tire pressure etc.
Issue went away for two weeks , got back in the car today same issue and warnings. Took car to VW dealership they say I need a new instrument cluster $1800 and a new vacuum pump.
$1550.
This was their estimate.
Just want to know , my instrument cluster is working intermittently I guess. But I live at the coast in texas. With lots of salt air. And this instrument cluster issue has popped up every time we have a cold front . So I’m wandering if the terminals are dirty , or if it’s a fuse or whatever. Not to mechanically inclined, would love some advice on a cheap fix. I don’t have $2k for a new instrument cluster, especially since it’s working when it wants too, lol.
Please help if you can.

 

[MLue1]

Last evening we got "freeked out" with a similar experience, the dash lights blanked out off and on and a few warning lights flashed on, after what seemd like a long time the dash went back to normal.

I though back to what was the last thing we were doing and realized that just before the incident i had tried to turn on the wipers. Ice froze the wipers to the glass and they were both stuck solid, this stalled the wiper motor and prolly caused a massive power draw. I freed them up with a snow brush and everything was back to normal.

I wouldn't fork over anything $$$ before doing some basic cleaning the battery terminals and chassis ground points. Try getting a electronic copy of the MK6 Golf Manual, there is a section that illustrates the ground points.

 

[gijoewoz]

Make sure all of the fuses are fully seated, remove and inspect any that are for the instrument cluster looking closely for rust/corrosion on the fuse and the fuse box. Pulling the cluster isn't tough, and you can inspect the connectors closely, and if you remove a few more screws you can take a look at the circuit board for corrosion. It's easy to replace yourself too, if you can find one reasonably priced.

 

[SliMbo2.5]

I have not had any of the cluster issues as mentioned but I would agree with the other folks about checking fuses, connections and grounds. The vacuum pump is known to leak but not hard to replace. I personally went with the Spulen vacuum pump delete kit and have not had any issues. Much cheaper than replacing the pump everytime it leaks.