Using the LCD Repair Kit from Circuit Solutions to fix your climate control display
08-16-2006, 06:40 PM
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Using the LCD Repair Kit from Circuit Solutions to fix your climate control display
Since I bought my car the LCD display for the climate control has never worked. It was missing pixels, if you can call them that. I considered checking into getting a new control module but then I found this excellent kit offered from Circuit Solutions by Module masters, the same folks who do the ABS module rebuilds. Here is a link to their homepage. They don't have this item listed but use the contact info. I am sure they'll be happy to help you out.
<a href="http://www.modulemaster.com/index.html">Module Masters</a>
This is how my display has looked.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-01.jpg">
You can see that the '20' for my set temperature isn't complete. I found the rebuild kit on Ebay for $60US. I am not affilated with these folks, just super pleased with their product. Also from what I have heard they do an excellent service rebuilding the ABS modules. This repair took me around 30 minutes and that includes taking the photos in the write-up. This was for a 98 A4, other models may vary slightly. I do not garuntee that your car would be exactly the same.
The kit comes well packaged and is very complete. Along with a replacement LCD (which is securely shipped) you get some supplies required to do the install. You recieve a pair of cotton gloves, a few alcohol wipes, some felt spacers, replacement display bulbs and a toothpick. Yeah you use the tooth pick
Also the instruction manual is very clear and complete. The photos are detailed and nothing is vague.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-03.jpg">
Here is an example of a page out of the manual.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-07.jpg">
The tools you need to remove your control unit are an 8mm socket, a 4mm hex socket and a driver for each.
First you need to remove your radio. If you have a factory radio make sure you have your radio code prior to removal! If you don't have the proper removal tools you can make one by grinding the teeth off a jigsaw blade.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/radiotool.jpg">
Just fish around in each of the removal slots while pulling the radio away from the dash. With a little effort you'll find each release and will be able to remove the radio. Once you have it out of the way you will find the two 8mm screws that hold on the trim piece that covers your control unit. You can see them in the picture below, just below the row of buttons that control your foglights and seat heaters.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-04.jpg">
The next picture shows the control module with the trim piece removed. You can see the 4mm hex screws that hold the module to the dash. There is one on each side, mid way down the module.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-05.jpg">
With the hex screws removed, slide the module out of the dash. There are four wire harnesses attached to the back of the module. Remove each by pulling away while depressing the release clip. They can only go back on in one fashion so you can't reverse them in any way when reinstalling.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-06.jpg">
Once you have the module removed the instructions provided by Curcuit Solutions are very complete. The process involves removing three Phillips screws so you can access the LCD panel. The panel is held to the faceplate of the module by some plastic clips. These release easily along with the control buttons. Here is a picture of the front of the LCD panel with the faceplate and buttons removed. The only maintenace required here is to clean the contacts indicated in the instructions with a supplied alcohol wipe.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-08.jpg">
To release the actual LCD panel and it's holder there is another set of clips. Once released you remove the old panel simply by lifting it away. You then only need to drop in the new one, clean a few more contacts and reassemble. Here is a picture of the LCD display removed.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-09.jpg">
Reinstalation is simply the reverse. I can not stress how simple this was to do. None of the clips fought when I was trying to release them. All of the parts fit simply back into place. As I said earlier, the entire process is at most 30 minutes. The new display is also much brighter due to a higher contrast panel being used by Circuit Solutions. With the ease of completion and relative low price I highly recommend this proceedure to everyone.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-10.jpg">
My new fully functioning climate control display.
<a href="http://www.modulemaster.com/index.html">Module Masters</a>
This is how my display has looked.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-01.jpg">
You can see that the '20' for my set temperature isn't complete. I found the rebuild kit on Ebay for $60US. I am not affilated with these folks, just super pleased with their product. Also from what I have heard they do an excellent service rebuilding the ABS modules. This repair took me around 30 minutes and that includes taking the photos in the write-up. This was for a 98 A4, other models may vary slightly. I do not garuntee that your car would be exactly the same.
The kit comes well packaged and is very complete. Along with a replacement LCD (which is securely shipped) you get some supplies required to do the install. You recieve a pair of cotton gloves, a few alcohol wipes, some felt spacers, replacement display bulbs and a toothpick. Yeah you use the tooth pick
Also the instruction manual is very clear and complete. The photos are detailed and nothing is vague.<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-03.jpg">
Here is an example of a page out of the manual.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-07.jpg">
The tools you need to remove your control unit are an 8mm socket, a 4mm hex socket and a driver for each.
First you need to remove your radio. If you have a factory radio make sure you have your radio code prior to removal! If you don't have the proper removal tools you can make one by grinding the teeth off a jigsaw blade.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/radiotool.jpg">
Just fish around in each of the removal slots while pulling the radio away from the dash. With a little effort you'll find each release and will be able to remove the radio. Once you have it out of the way you will find the two 8mm screws that hold on the trim piece that covers your control unit. You can see them in the picture below, just below the row of buttons that control your foglights and seat heaters.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-04.jpg">
The next picture shows the control module with the trim piece removed. You can see the 4mm hex screws that hold the module to the dash. There is one on each side, mid way down the module.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-05.jpg">
With the hex screws removed, slide the module out of the dash. There are four wire harnesses attached to the back of the module. Remove each by pulling away while depressing the release clip. They can only go back on in one fashion so you can't reverse them in any way when reinstalling.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-06.jpg">
Once you have the module removed the instructions provided by Curcuit Solutions are very complete. The process involves removing three Phillips screws so you can access the LCD panel. The panel is held to the faceplate of the module by some plastic clips. These release easily along with the control buttons. Here is a picture of the front of the LCD panel with the faceplate and buttons removed. The only maintenace required here is to clean the contacts indicated in the instructions with a supplied alcohol wipe.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-08.jpg">
To release the actual LCD panel and it's holder there is another set of clips. Once released you remove the old panel simply by lifting it away. You then only need to drop in the new one, clean a few more contacts and reassemble. Here is a picture of the LCD display removed.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-09.jpg">
Reinstalation is simply the reverse. I can not stress how simple this was to do. None of the clips fought when I was trying to release them. All of the parts fit simply back into place. As I said earlier, the entire process is at most 30 minutes. The new display is also much brighter due to a higher contrast panel being used by Circuit Solutions. With the ease of completion and relative low price I highly recommend this proceedure to everyone.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/103127/ccrepair-10.jpg">
My new fully functioning climate control display.
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09-02-2007, 09:21 AM
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Re: Using the LCD Repair Kit from Circuit Solutions to fix your climate control display
I just bought this from Ebay as well. Awesome instructions. I have one question (and its a holiday weekend, so no tech support, but I need to know now, as I have my unit about ready to go back in the car).
There are 4 bulbs in a row, that provide the backlighting, represented by X.
X-2w X-.9w X-.9w X-2w
The Kit comes with two (2 watt) outer replacement bulbs. The instructions say to keep the two (inner) bulbs and reuse them.
The problem is, one of mine is burned out. The difference is, the inner bulbs are .9 watts. My question is: is it OK to use one of the new 2watt bulbs to replace the inner, .9 watt original bulb?? Will this cause any problems?
Hopefully I can get a quick answer as I am ready to put her back together.
Thanks for any help!
<Edit> - Got tired of waiting. Put in the 2 watt bulbs for all and it works ok, but it is two bright in a dark environment. I guess I will try to find a place to order lower wattage ones. Other note, I didn't unplug my radio, just moved it out of the way, as I didn't have my theft code handy. Also the instructions "suggest" while you have your PCB out, you may want to add a little solder to the connectors for the main plug. Did this and it fixed all my problems with the buttons working intermittently!! Very pleased with the whole process and would recommend the product. Works like new.
There are 4 bulbs in a row, that provide the backlighting, represented by X.
X-2w X-.9w X-.9w X-2w
The Kit comes with two (2 watt) outer replacement bulbs. The instructions say to keep the two (inner) bulbs and reuse them.
The problem is, one of mine is burned out. The difference is, the inner bulbs are .9 watts. My question is: is it OK to use one of the new 2watt bulbs to replace the inner, .9 watt original bulb?? Will this cause any problems?
Hopefully I can get a quick answer as I am ready to put her back together.
Thanks for any help!
<Edit> - Got tired of waiting. Put in the 2 watt bulbs for all and it works ok, but it is two bright in a dark environment. I guess I will try to find a place to order lower wattage ones. Other note, I didn't unplug my radio, just moved it out of the way, as I didn't have my theft code handy. Also the instructions "suggest" while you have your PCB out, you may want to add a little solder to the connectors for the main plug. Did this and it fixed all my problems with the buttons working intermittently!! Very pleased with the whole process and would recommend the product. Works like new.
