Multivan dash clock, trip computer and odometer keep resetting

[Silver Caravelle]

I spoke too soon. Turned on the ignition key, the dash clock, trip computer and odometer reset to zero. Back to the drawing board to isolate the issue. One would hope the new battery can be eliminated from the investigation.

[Rebuild]

If you know someone with a Rosstech to get any codes?
Some OBD readers do not get everything with VW

[The_Hawk]

I'm in Kilsyth (3137) and have VCDS so can scan for you if you're out this way.

[Silver Caravelle]

Thanks Guys. Yes my v-checker is likely very limited.

Hawk, thanks for your kind offer, I will PM you to schedule something that suits you. I am in Glen Iris.

I have checking for amp/milli amp drop putting a multimeter in series with the negative terminal, but nothing appears to show up, but I don't totally trust my old multimeter. Also been pulling fuses and reinstalling to see if that helps.

[The_Hawk]

Based on my internet research 12.4V would mean it's about 80% charged.

From what I understand the battery gets a hit when you start and takes a while driving to get back up to 100%, lots of short drives tend to lower the charge over time so something like a CTEK charger is good to have around. When it's so low that you have to jump start it can take many many hours of driving to get back up to 100%.

My Golf was at 12.1V (50% - 60%) this morning before I started it (and 14V running), it doesn't get driven much and does go onto the CTEK charger regularly to keep it topped up. Started fine though and no issues with clocks or anything. I will put in on the charger tonight. Its first battery lasted nine years before giving up, this one is currently three years old.

My litmus test used to be when the power windows don't go auto up when the engine is switched off. When you hit the button and it tries to wind up all the way but does that safety stop and bounce back a little because it's detected something blocking the window. I figure the voltage is dropping too low and it mis-reads that as something in the way. That and you kind of get used to the speed the windows move and slower means less voltage so it goes on the charger.
But as I said, it's not driven much (still just under 50K on a 2011 build!) so the charger was a great investment.

[Silver Caravelle]

Thanks Hawk for the details. Actually I have seen that same link!

I have also lashed out today and purchased VCDS ( 3 vin) from the QLD distributor; not much of price diff, local vrs direct from overseas with FX and delivery fees, duties factored in.
The odd thing about this gremlin is up to a few months ago, I never had any issues with battery drain and I have not used a charger since new. And as a single car family, this gets used daily, so I am still suspicious of a battery drain over night, enough to kill the dash memory until driven a bit.

Thanks again for the kind offer per VCDS. If I unearth anything, I will keep the forum posted.

Cheers,
Scott.

[The_Hawk]

Dash memory would take bugger all power, it could only be a massive voltage drop?? Or a ground fault?

[Silver Caravelle]

Cheers Hawk. Yesterday, I checked every single fuse, including under the passenger seat and engine bay, pulling out and resintalling. My VCDS purchase should arrive in a few days and hopefully it can assist.

[BrianJ]

On my 2006 model, the positive battery terminal has a thick wire that goes to run the starter motor, and a thinner wire that is bolted onto the battery terminal connector and this wire runs the down to a box below the battery which could have fuses in it and then runs everything else in the car. Have you checked this separate connector where it bolts onto the battery terminal, assuming your model has this connector. Its also worth checking below the battery mounting plate at what's in this plastic covered area.

[Silver Caravelle]

Hi Brian,

Thanks. I have checked the positive leads and negative lead and all connections and fuses under the battery plate.

Yesterday I tested battery at terminals at rest, after 24 hours of not running, had dropped from about 12.7v to 12.3v. After running for a bit, back up to 12.6v to 12.7v at rest, but clearly draining a bit over night.

VCDS just arrived, I am going to have a play.

Thanks,

Scott

[Silver Caravelle]

I am disappointed to report no change for the better. Been using VCDS and not faults with full scan other than defect air quality sensor under the wiper mechanism. So I will replace that. Cleaned out that entire area and removed and cleaned up the sensor contacts but still defective.

As I am sitting in the vehicle now and after a drive, I turned on the key and operate the wipers and instrument cluster is doing the same reset thing. Yesterday driving to work, operated the wipers and had the cluster warning lights flashing on and off randomly.

The next step may be to remove the cluster and take a look at connectors. Sort of out of ideas now.

[Mr_frangutz]

I am disappointed to report no change for the better. Been using VCDS and not faults with full scan other than defect air quality sensor under the wiper mechanism. So I will replace that. Cleaned out that entire area and removed and cleaned up the sensor contacts but still defective.

As I am sitting in the vehicle now and after a drive, I turned on the key and operate the wipers and instrument cluster is doing the same reset thing. Yesterday driving to work, operated the wipers and had the cluster warning lights flashing on and off randomly.

The next step may be to remove the cluster and take a look at connectors. Sort of out of ideas now.

Hey There!
I'm having the same issue in my son's car (2008 TDI Jetta). Mine started when I removed fuses as I was checking for something else. Ever since then, we have no retainment of trip computer memory, clock resets etc.

I'm wondering if you have found a fix?

Everywhere I looked on the net doesn't provide any fixes.

I posted to this group as well, but didn't get any responses.

F.

[Silver Caravelle]

Hi F.

Unfortunately, I have not resolved and neither two mechanics either and throwing at least 500 bucks in labour time. Earth leads, fuses etc all checked many times. My suspicion is the instrument cluster plugs or the cluster itself as I did pull this ou, unplug and replug. Seemed fine for about two weeks then returned again. Two specific things happen:

1. turn ignition key on and clock and trip computer go to zero.

2. Separately dash flashes and resets when intermittent wipers are operated.

I have lost interest at the moment trying to sort it out and may get motivated to pull the instrument cluster out again and re examine and clean connectors. But all out of ideas otherwise.

I purchased another vehicle last year, a Mercedes V300d which I drive more now as the Multivan is the second family vehicle with the wheelchair hoist and sons to drive.

Cheers, Scott

[MIG]

I saw a bit of info on the Polo clusters doing the same thing and found a few people mentioning the capacitors failing in these clusters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpDIhfgtv04 (use YouTubes auto-translate if you don't know German) and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RG8wFhaegE