Instrument cluster problems

[plastikboy]

I bought a 97 Jetta Gt a while back. I love that car, but I've had some problems with it that I've been slowly working my way through. The overheat light will blink on and off constantly, the check engine light comes on and off and the spedometer drops out, as well as the gas gauge.
If they were each isolated I would be inclined to believe I could just replace the faulty sensors (that's what the OBD is telling me that the problem is) and fix it one thing at a time. But at nearly a hundred bucks a pop or more for replacement sensors, I have to be sure that it will fix the problem. I'm really getting irritated though, because I already had a spedo/tach specialist look at my car and they quoted me like four hundred dollars to fix my spedometer alone and they would have to send my car out of state, so that price isn't even counting the shipping costs or the time I'd be without a car.
PLEASE HELP!!! could it be a problem in the dash that I could fix myself, or should i take it directly to VW to fix it?

[boschmann]

If the coolant reservoir is full then it's possibly a bad sensor making the light flash. Unfortunately the combination of other issues points to a failed instrument cluster module, very common. The only option is to fiind another working unit, which is getting harder every day.

http://www.car-part.com

[CaseyVR6]

I can't help much with diagnosis or labor, but with prices for parts I can help a bit. Call 1-800-vw-parts. They're in NY and ship COD. They offer new and reman parts that are actual VW parts (unlike auto zone or similar). They've also got prices I have yet to beat anywhere else. Seriously, these guys have kept me in my VW much longer than I would have if I still had to go through Kragan or the dealership.

[veedubmechanic]

Speedo sensors are cheap and they run off electrical wires not speedo cables.

[Jettahead97]

I feel ya!!! see my link: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul....php?p=2979935
It sounds like your cluster, it is something you can change yourself, just get a mechanics book, not the cheap Haynes or Chilton. I one for under $100.00 from the dealer, when I bought my car. The cluster was just under $300 from the dealer. The only downfall is it comes with 0 miles. you can check your area for a shop that can add the miles. That can be pricey, mine was $275. Or you can just document the original miles, then add what is on your odometer to get the current miles. The book labor time on changing the cluster, per VW, is 30 min, so if you have someone else do it, dont let them rip you off. I paid over 1200 in labor to figure out that was my problem. Good luck!