2021 Audi Instrument Cluster Blank Display TSB

Symptoms

Owners of affected 2021 Audi vehicles may observe that the driver information system in the instrument cluster (PR Code 9S7) is blank. This means the central display area of the instrument cluster shows no information.

Despite the blank driver information system, critical gauges such as the speedometer, tachometer, fuel level, and coolant temperature bar graphs will continue to function normally. This specific condition, where the main display is off but gauges work, points to the issue addressed by this bulletin. If you experience an Audi instrument cluster blank display, this TSB may apply to your vehicle.

Technical Background

Audi has identified that the blank driver information system display is caused by a hardware defect within the instrument cluster itself. This defect affects certain 2021 models equipped with the MIB3 system.

An optimized instrument cluster hardware has since been introduced into series production to prevent this issue in newer vehicles. For existing vehicles, a software update is the prescribed solution.

Repair Procedure Summary

To resolve the Audi instrument cluster blank display issue, technicians will perform a software update on the instrument cluster control unit, designated as J285 (address word 0017). This procedure is outlined in Technical Service Bulletin 90 21 11 2063913/2, which supersedes the previous bulletin 21-09 dated June 30, 2021.

The update process requires following the instructions detailed in TSB 2011732, titled "00 Software Version Management (SVM), operating instructions." The specific SVM action code to be used for this update is 17A036. This update will bring the instrument cluster software to version 0762 from previous versions like 0761 or 0759, depending on the original software part number (e.g., 8W5920K, 8W5920L, 80A920***L).

Important Warnings

During the software update process, specific steps must be followed to ensure successful completion:

• If the update does not run on the first attempt, the technician should try again.
• If the update fails for a second time, the vehicle must be placed into bus sleep mode for at least half an hour before attempting the update process again.

Warranty Information

This repair is covered under Audi's warranty program. The claim types include 110 for vehicles up to 48 months or 50,000 miles, and G10 for Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles, requiring owner verification. If the vehicle is outside of any applicable warranty, this Technical Service Bulletin serves as informational guidance only.

The service number for this repair is 9025, with a damage code of 0039. The labor operation for the software update, which includes checking for DTCs, is 0151 0000, with a maximum time unit (TU) of 125. Diagnostic time (GFF) and road tests before and after the service procedure are not billable allowances.

Source: NHTSA ID 10199726