2021 Audi A4/A5/S4/S5 Instrument Cluster Blank TSB

Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2063913/6 to address a common issue affecting certain 2021 Audi A4, A5, S4, and S5 models. This TSB, dated August 8, 2023, supersedes previous bulletin 23-33 from July 25, 2023, and provides updated instructions for resolving a blank driver information system (DIS) display in the instrument cluster. The bulletin has undergone several revisions, including updates to warranty information, service instructions, and vehicle applicability, with Revision 6 updating labor operations.

If you own a 2021 Audi A5 or other affected model and are experiencing a blank instrument cluster, this TSB outlines the diagnostic and repair steps your dealership will follow.

Symptoms

Owners of affected vehicles may notice that the "driver information system (DIS) in the instrument cluster (PR Code 9S7) is blank." While the DIS display is not functioning, critical gauges such as the speedometer, tachometer, fuel level, and coolant temperature bar graphs will continue to work normally, as shown in Figure 1 of the TSB. This specific symptom helps differentiate the issue from a complete instrument cluster failure.

Technical Background

Audi has identified that the root cause of the blank driver information system display is a hardware defect within the instrument cluster itself. To address this, an optimized instrument cluster hardware has been introduced in series production for newer vehicles. For existing affected vehicles, a software update is the prescribed solution.

Repair Procedure Summary

To resolve the blank instrument cluster display, technicians must perform a software update on the instrument cluster control unit, J285 (address word 0017). This procedure requires following the detailed instructions provided in TSB 2011732, titled "00 Software Version Management (SVM), operating instructions." The specific SVM action code to be used for this update is 17A036.

Important Warnings for Owners

Owners should be aware of specific instructions regarding the software update process outlined in TSB 2063913/6:

• The software update may require multiple attempts to complete successfully. Technicians are instructed to try the update up to 12 times before considering parts replacement.
• If the update does not run on the first attempt, it should be retried.
• If the update fails a second time, the vehicle must be put into bus sleep mode for at least 30 minutes before attempting the update process again.
• Should the update be aborted, the technician will follow specific instructions to cancel coding for the control module. This involves selecting "2. Cancel coding of the following control module and complete any repair suggestions: 00174 – dash panel insert" after receiving the message "The following event has occurred: The coding of the following control module could not be performed: 0017 – dash panel insert."

Warranty Information

This repair is covered under Audi's New Vehicle Limited Warranty for up to 48 months or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. For Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles, coverage is also provided under claim type G10, requiring verification of owner status. If your vehicle is outside of these warranty periods, this Technical Service Bulletin is informational only, suggesting potential out-of-pocket costs.

The specific codes for warranty claims related to TSB 2063913/6 are:

• Service Number: 9025
• Damage Code: 0039

Labor operations for this service include:

• Software Update (Includes checking for DTCs): 0151 0000 (Time stated on the diagnostic protocol, maximum 200 Time Units)
• Initiate bus sleep mode (if needed): 0689 0199 (10 Time Units)
• Diagnostic Time (GFF): No allowance (0 Time Units)
• Road test prior to the service procedure: No allowance (0 Time Units)
• Road test after the service procedure: No allowance (0 Time Units)

All warranty claims must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual and are subject to review or audit by Audi Warranty.

NHTSA ID: 10243899