Electrical Instrument Lights Out

[OK117]

The instrument lights, and gauges are out on my 1992 Passat. They just went out. The headlights work, the instrument lights on the AC and radio panel area work. The interior light works.

The instrument lights are out. Speedometer is out, so is tachometer. The fuel gauge works. The oil light works. Car runs normally. The indicator instrument lights do not flash.

I thought it might have been the dimmer control, but no.

Need help, thanks in advance,

Dean

[OK117]

The fuse was good. I did reseat the fuse.
This morning the instrument lights are working.

I would like to track down this intermittent inactivity.

Does it sound like anything you have encountered?

Someone told me the computer chip resets itself?

Thanks.

[boschmann]

The electrical connector at the back of the cluster is a common failure. Banging on tp of the dash sometimes makes things work. Finding a fix for the connector is a big challenge.

[OK117]

I read an earlier post of yours regarding the electrical cluster behind the instruments. Just yesterday when the lights went out again, I did as you suggest and gave the top of the dash a bang, and... they came back on. Thanks. I am getting to know this car better.

I have fixed the automatic shifter stick light by removing the old bulb and soldering in a similar bulb into the small inner white plastic bulb housing. Tricky, it works.

Thanks for your help.