Problems with digital display on automatic VW Polo

[builderstea]

Hi, a couple of months ago, when I was driving, the digital display went on my 2006 automatic VW Polo - no clock, no mileage etc. Then further into the journey, not long after, it all came back. This particular issue has not happened again. However, what is more or less permanently happening now is lines missing from the red digital display telling me whether I'm in Drive, Park, Reverse etc (photo attached). The car's performance does not seem to be affected. Does anyone have any ideas about what is the cause of this and is it likely to be significant? Thanks in advance.

 

[Diver Fred]

Edge connector to the LCD display. Or the display is showing its age. There are companies that do repair the instrument panel.

 

[builderstea]

Thanks for this. Do you have any idea of likely cost for repair and you say "companies" rather than garage - is the loose edge connector and/or display showing its age too specialised for a local general garage?

 

[Burnerman]

Can I recommend ECU Testing in Heanor........if you check out the common faults on the generation 4 Polo you'll find yours has been seen before!
John

 

[builderstea]

Thanks for this.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Thanks for this. Do you have any idea of likely cost for repair and you say "companies" rather than garage - is the loose edge connector and/or display showing its age too specialised for a local general garage?

Yes, it's an electronic issue

 

[builderstea]

Thankyou.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thanks for this. Do you have any idea of likely cost for repair and you say "companies" rather than garage - is the loose edge connector and/or display showing its age too specialised for a local general garage?

Far too specialised for a garage. You will need to take the dash out, and post it off to a specialist. What usually happens, is one of a number of issues, of poor contact between the dash pcb, and display, suffers from contact oxidation. Sometimes the two are linked by a sort of rubberised, conductive part, which oxidises, or a flexible ribbon conductor sufferers moisture ingress.

 

[builderstea]

Ok, thanks.
Difference of opinion now between me and husband, would appreciate views!
Husband (who doesn't drive) says: it's an old car, it might just be the display showing its age, it's not interfering with the performance of the car, I can drive with a line running through the P, D, R etc, wants to take a "wait and see" approach.
Me, bit more of a worrier, want it sorted sooner rather than later, and it will be me driving the car if/when something goes wrong. Wondering what's the worst that could happen if we delay?

 

[Burnerman]

Eventually the complete display will go AWOL, but the car should still drive.
It will of course fail the MOT as the speedo goes caput.
The cost is around the £120 mark but give them a ring and they will advise further.
John

 

[accelerator]

Eventually the complete display will go AWOL, but the car should still drive.
It will of course fail the MOT as the speedo goes caput.
The cost is around the £120 mark but give them a ring and they will advise further.
John

I don't think the speedo is part of the electronic display.

 

[accelerator]

Me, bit more of a worrier, want it sorted sooner rather than later, and it will be me driving the car if/when something goes wrong. Wondering what's the worst that could happen if we delay?

I think the worst that can happen is that the electronic display becomes totally dead, so you don't get to see whatever is shown on that display permanently.

It is likely to become fully defective, and the problem is not going to fix itself and go away.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Ok, thanks.
Difference of opinion now between me and husband, would appreciate views!
Husband (who doesn't drive) says: it's an old car, it might just be the display showing its age, it's not interfering with the performance of the car, I can drive with a line running through the P, D, R etc, wants to take a "wait and see" approach.
Me, bit more of a worrier, want it sorted sooner rather than later, and it will be me driving the car if/when something goes wrong. Wondering what's the worst that could happen if we delay?

It is just information. It won't by itself cause any other issues with the car.

If it affects the Speedo then mot will be an issue, but other than that it depends on how much it bothers you.

The mot is only interested in the speed indication, any telltale warning lights, like indicators, main beam, abs, airbag lights etc.

 

[builderstea]

Thanks to everyone who's replied. Every response has helped on learning curve and have had a useful discussion with people at ECU Testing Heanor. Will update if any significant developments.