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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Golf mk3 how to guides + info => Topic started by: Silverback on 18 August 2007, 16:58

Title: INFO: Hacking the mfa .....
Post by: Silverback on 18 August 2007, 16:58
Has anyone else worked out that they can sort of hack the mfa in their vr6, might also work on gti's..

Basically, press and hold the trip reset button, without letting go of the button turn the ignition to no 2 (just before it starts the car) then turn the ignition completely off then start the car (don't let go of the trip button till now) now the digital milometer will display "1".

By pressing the trip button it will scroll through numbers 1-8, they all give various readings.. Number 7 displays electronic rev gauge which is quite cool..

Thought i'd share.. And don't worry, when u turn the ignition off it will reset back to showing the miles etc.

Have fun
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Lewism3 on 18 August 2007, 21:56
What do the other functions display?
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Lewism3 on 18 August 2007, 23:28
God are we all nuts???

I've just been outside in the pouring rain to try this and it works on my 8v GTI. Function 7 is way cool!! Not to sure what the others do. Anybody have any ideas?
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: remapped on 18 August 2007, 23:31
FFS !! i see my self going out in the rain to try this lol !!

good hack ;)
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Silverback on 19 August 2007, 00:12
Yeh it is pretty cool. One of them is sort of a stop watch that only runs when the car is moving but doesn't run in real time sadly. The rest just ain't that cool but i'll post em up at some point. You can also hack the other side of the mfa to get instant fuel consumption rather than averages which is pretty cool..

I'll let u work out how lol
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Silverback on 19 August 2007, 00:30
cool, i will try that one tomo on my GTI and let u kno if it works

nice one

how u manage to come round and find that one then,    :laugh:

Believe it or not i was bored lol
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Silverback on 19 August 2007, 11:46
Yeh i usually have the fuel one on the right and the digital rev on the left
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Silverback on 19 August 2007, 11:53
Ok.. Number 1 always says 6098
Number 2 just goes to number 3! Number 3 always says 31670, number 4 goes to 6, number 5 just lights up every digit on the display, must be a tester. Number 6 is that sort of stopwatch, number 7 revs! Number 8 should be a trip but doesn't seem to move! Well just written all that through my phone lol, now i'm gonna go try sort my crappy alarm!
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: MowatGTI on 19 August 2007, 12:23
This is genuis!

If i do this, when i switch the engine off, does it go back to normal then?

Thinking on doing it today.  Just don't want to screw it up.

Digi rev counter!  I like!
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Silverback on 19 August 2007, 12:40
Yeh it resets when u switch the engine off, u can't mess it up, it's like a debug feature
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Lewism3 on 19 August 2007, 13:30
So how do you get the fuel usage?
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: kr1s77 on 19 August 2007, 14:07
this is excellent digi rev counter  :grin:

Yeh i usually have the fuel one on the right and the digital rev on the left

how do you do that??
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Silverback on 19 August 2007, 14:24
Well the way you hack the right hand side one is.. Press and hold the mfa button, turn ignition on then off, then on. Then let go of the mfa, so to get both you've got to do both sides at the same time.. It is hard with 2 hands but it can be done lol
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: kells on 19 August 2007, 14:34
Has anyone else worked out that they can sort of hack the mfa in their vr6, might also work on gti's..

Basically, press and hold the trip reset button, without letting go of the button turn the ignition to no 2 (just before it starts the car) then turn the ignition completely off then start the car (don't let go of the trip button till now) now the digital milometer will display "1".

By pressing the trip button it will scroll through numbers 1-8, they all give various readings.. Number 7 displays electronic rev gauge which is quite cool..

Thought i'd share.. And don't worry, when u turn the ignition off it will reset back to showing the miles etc.

Have fun


yeah i found this by mistake last time i reset my service intervals, io was unsure what id done haha
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Silverback on 19 August 2007, 14:47
Bet u'll be using it now lol
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: kells on 19 August 2007, 15:54
Bet u'll be using it now lol

yeah will deffo take another look, i actually mentioned this before but had no response and it had been on my mind till now :cool:
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Silverback on 19 August 2007, 16:09
I know how u feel, it.s annoying when u post a topic and know one replies lol
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Lewism3 on 19 August 2007, 17:24
Tried this on the move today with the digi rev counter running. Problem is my fuel gauge didn't like it one little bit!
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Ro_golf_gti on 19 August 2007, 20:44
i only looked @ the fuel consumption aint looked at rev counter yet, so how do u set one for left and one for right silverback, ( or am i being blond )

lol     :grin:
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Mr Blue on 19 August 2007, 21:15
This hack is soo last season on the mk2 scene  :cool:


still cool :smiley:
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Silverback on 20 August 2007, 02:50
i only looked @ the fuel consumption aint looked at rev counter yet, so how do u set one for left and one for right silverback, ( or am i being blond )

lol     :grin:

It.s a bit tricky but basically.. Press and hold the mfa button and the trip button.. Then with a 3rd hand.. Lol.. (i said it was tricky) turn the ignition to number 2, then off, then on. (i think thats it, if not tell me, and i'll check.. I'm in bed and it.s late at the mo lol)
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Silverback on 20 August 2007, 02:51
And the reason the fuel needle goes mad is because when the car is in diagnostic mode the sensor is disabled
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Ro_golf_gti on 20 August 2007, 17:30
ok think i bing bit stupid but wot is the MFA button i hold the trip button in and get the fuel side off it ? ? ?

(i should hav bin blond, i kno )  LOL
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Silverback on 20 August 2007, 18:37
Nah it.s cool - the mfa button is on the right hand stalk (what u use to use wipers) on the end.. There's a button that says mfa on it.. Push and hold it in... Hope that helps



Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Pete Taylor on 15 December 2007, 14:05
Couldn't get this to work on my valver. All I managed to achieve was stinking the car out with petrol from stopping and starting the engine lol
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Pete Taylor on 15 December 2007, 14:15
ahhh done it now.. It's because I lost the button when i did my clocks, a paper clip just wasn't up to the test. The middle of a biro worked a treat though!
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Garsy on 24 January 2008, 20:02
any idea how to get the "in 01" off the clocks when its first started?

i've managed to get it so i can change it from "in 01" "in 02" and "DEL" but as soon as i take my finger off the trip button and turn the ignition off and on it still says "in 01"
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: golfmk31993 on 05 February 2008, 21:27
i just checked if this works on my 1993 1.4 golf ryder and it does!!

the rev counter is really cool,  when my car is idleing the digi rev counter goes from 100 to 950 to 100 to 950 to 100 to 950 ......and so on

is this normal?

i dnt seem to have an mfa button though
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Kenny_1.6 on 19 February 2008, 23:46
any idea how to get the "in 01" off the clocks when its first started?

i've managed to get it so i can change it from "in 01" "in 02" and "DEL" but as soon as i take my finger off the trip button and turn the ignition off and on it still says "in 01"
yeah, i've noticed that too... what does the IN02 mean??

anyone know if this works on a Mk3 1.6?  :huh:
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: boneybradley on 19 February 2008, 23:49

yeah, i've noticed that too... what does the IN02 mean??

anyone know if this works on a Mk3 1.6?  :huh:

follow the guide here http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=8052.0 (http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=8052.0) its the serice reminder..in01 minor in02 major..takes 5 minutes to reset and works every time if you follow the instructions correctly
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Kenny_1.6 on 20 February 2008, 00:16
cheers bud :D
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: brisdriver on 06 March 2008, 16:07
I just tried it on my 1.8 driver, but it didnt work has anyone managed it on anything other than GTi or a VR6?
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: boneybradley on 06 March 2008, 18:26
I just tried it on my 1.8 driver, but it didnt work has anyone managed it on anything other than GTi or a VR6?

I done this on nearly all models of mk3! and it works the same.... ensure you pressing the buttons when turning the key
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: brisdriver on 06 March 2008, 20:00
Theres no numbers around the ignition switch, so if i hold the trip button in, turn it round to the one just before i have to get ignition bring it back round then start the car, and then i release the trip switch? tried it earlier and didnt work, am i doing something wrong?
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Kenny_1.6 on 08 March 2008, 20:45
you need to hold the reset button when the key is in off position, turn it to ignition (when all the dash lights come on), turn it off again, and then start the car  :wink: i've got a 1.6 and it works with mine
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: brisdriver on 09 March 2008, 13:51
Right 100th post yay for me... anyway I just tried it again and I got no digital revcounter nothing, i've only got a trip computer mind no mfa like those fancy gti's. If anyone lives near thornbury north bristol and cares enough to prove me wrong then by all means!!!
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Silverback on 15 March 2008, 18:13
If i'm ever down ur way i'll bloody show ya lol
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: brisdriver on 15 March 2008, 23:29
Haha, where you too then? I'll be at volksfest in bristol this year, i dont know any other shows to really go to.
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Silverback on 16 March 2008, 00:52
There's a vw only show at santa pod on 13th april.. Not sure if i'm going yet though..
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Kenny_1.6 on 20 March 2008, 06:14
Right 100th post yay for me... anyway I just tried it again and I got no digital revcounter nothing, i've only got a trip computer mind no mfa like those fancy gti's. If anyone lives near thornbury north bristol and cares enough to prove me wrong then by all means!!!
thats all i have, the trip computer on the dials... you need to keep the reset button pressed until the car is started and the number 1 should come up... keep pressing it til you reach 7 and there's your rev counter  :wink:
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: brisdriver on 20 March 2008, 20:40
I really have tried, and i do it and it just flash IN02, maybe I have to reset that before it'll do it? I really have tried, oh well
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Silverback on 21 March 2008, 21:27
If its saying in02 it means it needs something checking.. Sorry to say it, but better you know now rather that when its 2 late. I'd go get a vagcom diagnostics to check the fault.
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: boneybradley on 21 March 2008, 23:53
If its saying in02 it means it needs something checking.. Sorry to say it, but better you know now rather that when its 2 late. I'd go get a vagcom diagnostics to check the fault.

in02 means its service time....vag-com wont show anything but it does need the service indicator resetting which takes 2 minutes. check the maintanence section for this
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Kenny_1.6 on 22 March 2008, 12:58
the IN02 doesnt affect the hack... the hack was working when i first tried it and i had IN02 coming up every time i started the car... sorry to say it, but you just aint doing it right  :huh:
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Vdubbster on 10 April 2008, 22:35
All i get is the constant fuel consumption.  :tongue:
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Bob Rooney on 19 May 2008, 12:05
I've tried doing this but I only get 3 options which are OEL, Insp-1 and Insp-2.
Any ideas what I'm doing wrong or even if my car can do this hack?

I've got a P-reg 1.9 DL (non-turbo). Think its probably the most basic model of them all.
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: lawson_gti on 30 August 2008, 18:20
wicked im guna try this l8er wen i go out!!! plus thank f**k some1 has said something bout ino2 wen u start caras its startin 2 piss me off as i never new wat it ment lol
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: nick_thomas on 18 October 2008, 15:31
When I had the digital rev counter on it made my fuel gauge go mental!
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: jedimasterlewis666 on 20 October 2008, 10:55
this is a cool trick!
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: slam on 31 October 2008, 15:23
tried this- it works great! but did send my fuel gauge completely crazy!!!
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Khare on 12 December 2008, 21:15
i tried it on my gti and it worked, but i didnt get the digital rev counter though....wierd :undecided: will try again tomorrow though
Title: Re: Mk3 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Khare on 13 December 2008, 16:46
got it to work! i was being ass tarded and was holding the MFS button in lol.
Title: Re: Hacking the mfa .....
Post by: Nino on 10 March 2010, 01:32
sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet
Title: Re: Mk3 vr6 - hacked the mfa!
Post by: Pete le Deet on 31 August 2019, 10:57
Ok.. Number 1 always says 6098
Number 2 just goes to number 3! Number 3 always says 31670, number 4 goes to 6, number 5 just lights up every digit on the display, must be a tester. Number 6 is that sort of stopwatch, number 7 revs! Number 8 should be a trip but doesn't seem to move! Well just written all that through my phone lol, now i'm gonna go try sort my crappy alarm!

Apologies for digging up this topic, but I can offer some info on this 'secret' mode;

Entries 1 and 3 seem to be fixed in any particular instrument cluster, but can vary for other engine/transmission combinations, e.g. the humble 1.6 'AEA' engine has #1 as 6679, while for the 2.0 8v (ADY & AGG) it's usually 6214

Entry 2 is mentioned as being a destination market indicator, with the u.k. apparently being 3

Entry 4 shows the number of engine cylinders, so a VR would be the exception in having the value 6 rather than 4

Entry 5 simply shows every segment of the displays, even unused Mfa arrows (if present) on some lower spec units

Entry 6 advances with rotation of the speedometer sender - I've seen it ticking away with the engine/transmission turning, but the driveshafts disconnected

Entry 7 is indeed an rpm indicator/digital tachometer, which I think is a handy check of the crank sensor for engines that have one, since it registers at cranking speed. The increment amount can vary, some are 50 rpm interval, some 100

Entry 8 I'd guess is the software edition embedded in the unit - it's also shown as 'SW #.#' on some units' part number label

The fuel gauge fluctuates while driving with the mode active since it by-passes built-in damping