MFA not working at all

[gti jim]

my missus (bless her cottons) took the car away for the weekend and came back with a new distributor after burning the existing one out  .

unfortunately my prize possession also came back with the MFA not working at all.  the green back light works ok but there is no display at all (not even the clock works) .

i've read a couple of horror stories on here about removing the entire display and subsequently setting your car on fire after losing patience and i hope i don't have to go down that one way street.  anybody have any ideas on what it may be that is wrong?  how i could fix it? and finally what punishment i should dish out to the wife for breaking it in the first place? 

[tobz.]

It sounds like the regulator may have gone in your clocks (don't quote me on this though as mine has never gone so I'm not sure of the symptoms). Anyway inside the clocks is a regulator that reduces the 12v (I think) for the lcd display etc. It could simply be a case of replacing this which can be bought from maplin/RS etc for a couple of quid.
You will have to remove the instrument cluster which involves taking out your headunit and all the dash switches. Not too difficult at all but just sounds a bit daunting. There is a work through on this forum of how to remove the instruments to replace the dash lights.

[tobz.]

Here'yar:

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=10385.0

That will get you started in the dash dismantling department

[gti jim]

cheers tobz..  i'm off to psyche myself up for it!!

[Judderi]

Its not that hard to get the clocks out really. Sounds worse than it is.  After doing it you will be a pro!

[monzablue16v]

Don't forget to look at your Fuses dude make sure you test that 1st before ripping the dash to bits ;0)

[rubjonny]

aye the MFA throws a wobbly if it looses voltage, take the fuse out or disconnect the battery negative for 30 seconds and retry.

Also make sure the earth lead from the rocker cover to one of the bolts on the coil braket is hooked up, I'd put money on it being disconnected as the coil has been replaced

[gti jim]

cheers for the advice everybody, pulled the fuse out for a few seconds and it seemed to do the business...