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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: robw09 on 01 August 2012, 17:41

Title: MFA Display
Post by: robw09 on 01 August 2012, 17:41
Hi, just took my GTi out for first time since I fixed the led light for the main-beam on the warning light cluster and replacing the Black Temp sender.  However, I now have a MFA problem.

It does not display miles covered or MPG. It simply sits with "--.-".  All the other functions work correctly and the speedo itself is ok.  Could it be the speedo cable to the back of the clocks is not quite in right or something else?

Rob
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: X4MGS on 01 August 2012, 18:39
Vac Pipe not attached or you have a leak... Would be my guess
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: robw09 on 01 August 2012, 19:15
Hi Ken, hmmm I replaced all the vac pipes, but it was working.....perhaps it is the one to the back of the clocks.  I will check the ones i replaced 1st before I take the dash apart.  If it not one thing...  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: X4MGS on 01 August 2012, 19:42
The one at the rear of the clocks was what I meant...

You could have broken the Input or not connected the hose properly...
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: robw09 on 02 August 2012, 20:10
Sorted....wunderbar!

Clocks out 2nd time round is easier!
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: X4MGS on 02 August 2012, 21:12
Sorted....wunderbar!

Clocks out 2nd time round is easier!

 :cool:
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: JimR on 02 August 2012, 22:27
Sorry to hijack your thread, but this is relevant, the vac pipe frome the back of the clocks comes thought the bulkhead and attaches to what? Mine has come detached and I'm buggered if I can find where it attaches!
Thanks in advance,
James
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: jmsheahan on 03 August 2012, 09:42
It should attach to the brake servo to inlet pipe IIRC (there's a small nipple on it at the inlet end)

This is off of the car and is on my ABF but you get the idea:
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y235/jmsheahan_44/IMG_6022.jpg)
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: JimR on 04 August 2012, 07:04
Cheers mate, my nipple has snapped off, that's why I couldn't find it! Should anything be attached to the green nipple?
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: jmsheahan on 04 August 2012, 12:01
The green bit is just a blanking cap which you need to pop off to attach the vac line. On the 8v pipe I think there is just the one one outlet so if it's snapped off you may need another servo pipe.
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: robw09 on 06 August 2012, 10:51
Lost the trip miles and MPG again this morning.....clocks off again!  Is it easy enough to replace the vac pipe from the back?  I am presuming i have to attach a new pipe to the old one and then pull it through either clock side of engine side as it goes through the bulkhead.  Any idea which way is easier?



Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: robw09 on 07 August 2012, 09:52
Replaced the pipe from back of MFA to engine bay location with new 3.5mm vac hose, but still no joy.......strange as all the symptoms point to hose not being attached.  I will check the connection ends to make sure they are not blocked, but is there anything else I can do?  Are there any other checks I can carry out or is there something I am missing here?  Could it be speedo cable not fully in at the MFA end?

Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: jmsheahan on 07 August 2012, 10:44
So you've had the clocks out and checked everything is connected properly on the back. Did you get another servo hose to replace the snapped nipple?

I've never had the clocks out of my car so can't comment fully but I'd imagine the prob lies with them. IIRC there is a sender screwed into the back of the speedo - I'd imagine this will be affecting your MPG reading and probably the trip too. Might have knocked it accidentally whilst replacing bulbs.

Simple things first though - have you checked your earths? (especially the one that goes to the right hand side of the rocker cover). Try pulling the fuse for a few mins or so to see if it needs a reset to sort it.
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: robw09 on 07 August 2012, 11:47
It seems we have two threads here from the original hijacking of my thread  :wink:

Any bright ideas for my problem?  Does the speedo cable have any bearing on the MPG and miles for MFA.  Speedo itself it working and I have a new vac pipefrom the back of the MFA and everything else works fine.

Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: X4MGS on 07 August 2012, 12:44
It seems we have two threads here from the original hijacking of my thread  :wink:

Any bright ideas for my problem?  Does the speedo cable have any bearing on the MPG and miles for MFA.  Speedo itself it working and I have a new vac pipefrom the back of the MFA and everything else works fine.



Rob,

Have you checked the Vac unit at the back of the clocks? make sure you haven't broken the housing...
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: robw09 on 07 August 2012, 13:03
Hey Ken, I presume you mean the black pipe that comes out the back of the clocks?  It looked ok when I replaced the old one with new 3.5m vac hose.  Certainly nothing obviously wrong.  I did notice the white clip that the speedo cable attaches to the clocks looks like it may have been repaired, but the speedo dial does work.  Also I put a bit of fairy liquid on the connectors so they went on easy.  Could this bugger anything up?  I am "pro" at taking dash apart now so don't mind having to do any other tests/work if needs be!  Not the end of world, but I am a bit anal I would like everything working  :smiley:

Not sure what else to check.....
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: X4MGS on 07 August 2012, 13:58
Hey Ken, I presume you mean the black pipe that comes out the back of the clocks?  It looked ok when I replaced the old one with new 3.5m vac hose.  Certainly nothing obviously wrong.  I did notice the white clip that the speedo cable attaches to the clocks looks like it may have been repaired, but the speedo dial does work.  Also I put a bit of fairy liquid on the connectors so they went on easy.  Could this bugger anything up?  I am "pro" at taking dash apart now so don't mind having to do any other tests/work if needs be!  Not the end of world, but I am a bit anal I would like everything working  :smiley:

Not sure what else to check.....

Yeah that is what i meant... Can't see it being anything else seen as you have replaced all the hoses, other than the brake servo pipe....
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: robw09 on 07 August 2012, 14:35
Brake servo pipe?  :shocked:

I will whip out the clocks again tonight and check the connections at both ends for any signs of problems, blocks etc.  I will also re-check the speedo cable and then put it back together.  Fingers crossed it is just a loose connection still.  However, it does seem a little odd.  How very frustrating.....still, I bet there are worse problems to have with your Mk2  :tongue:
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: molegti on 07 August 2012, 14:40
Yeah there are just wait until your heater matrix goes :D
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: mk2bal on 07 August 2012, 16:41
Matrix is a mornings work, a kids job. Swapping engines in and out every few months because of sheared crank keyways (and their repairs) knackered boxes, and 02a swaps is a pita!! With speedo diconnected only time and temps will work, mpg,distance covered and avg speed etc won't.. So if any of those last few work and others don't, I'd say its the mfa unit on the clocks itself (provided your vac pipe is plugged in at other end, and all other points of the vac system!)
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: robw09 on 07 August 2012, 17:54
Ok it is as though the temp and time works and not the mpg and distance covered.  So, I think you are saying the speedocable could have influence on it.  In which case I will check this carefully as there did seem to be a repair job on it.
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: X4MGS on 07 August 2012, 18:00
I don't think the speedo has anything to do with the MFA what so ever...
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: mk2bal on 07 August 2012, 18:17
Yes it does. Speed = distance ÷ time, if it doesn't know speed it cannot calculate distance can it.. I had no speedo for 8 months odd when I first 16v'd my car, and only had temps and time. As soon as I fitted a speedo the '---'  turned into values. I reckon if the speedo itself works (needle moves round) then its the mfa itself, or an associated vac leak
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: X4MGS on 07 August 2012, 23:31
Yes it does. Speed = distance ÷ time, if it doesn't know speed it cannot calculate distance can it..

I reckon if the speedo itself works (needle moves round) then its the mfa itself, or an associated vac leak

Good Point...
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: robw09 on 08 August 2012, 17:56
 :cry: :cry: :cry:

Seem to have made the situation worse.  Fuel gauge does not move, MFA stays on the time, coolant gauge does not move and the only warning light that works is the main beam one.......

really, really, grumpy now.

Is this an electrical problem or clocks or something else?  And is there a way to test what problem is?

Anyone know a good VW specialist Newark or Lincoln area?
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: X4MGS on 08 August 2012, 18:43
Could be that the clocks were on their way out and you've done them in properly now...

as most of the issues you have now are electrical..
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: robw09 on 08 August 2012, 19:16
Bugger  :cry:

Was hoping it could be something else......
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: X4MGS on 08 August 2012, 19:20
just check the fuse and your earth's.... including the bonnet one.

Try disconnecting the battery for 10 mins and see what happens
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: weazgti on 08 August 2012, 21:08
I ve had the printed circuit loose on clocks before which made it useless tll I banged the dash.
Didn't realise until I got them out and bought another set that the nuts were loose that hold the printed circuit on.
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: robw09 on 08 August 2012, 21:23
Really!  I will give it one more go, but i had the clocks off again today....just strange that I still have the main beam warning bulb working and MFA clock and nothing else!  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: robw09 on 10 August 2012, 15:52
Seen on another site that some people have a voltage regulator blow on the back of gauges.  No idea what type, or even it applies to VDO clocks, until I take a look.  However, may as well try.

Also where do the clocks earth to and how can you actually test an earth?  I need to learn this as it sounds quite important  :tongue: I have not got a voltage tester to hand, but I can borrow my dads at the weekend.

Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: weazgti on 10 August 2012, 19:27
Voltage regulator is a small chip with 3 pins on back of clocks.
Could check that all earths are on the earth claw above the pedals,not sure if they earth there but worth a look.Also the other earth point is above bonnet pull
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: robw09 on 11 August 2012, 15:08
No, it was just me missing fuse 16 had blown (thanks rubjonny and ken)  :embarassed:.  I now have working gauges and warning light, but still no MPG or miles travelled on the MFA   :rolleyes:

But at least I am rolling again!  :grin:
Title: Re: MFA Display
Post by: X4MGS on 11 August 2012, 18:10
 :cool: