Once everything is apart, you have to de-solder about 50 points that are about 1 mm wide. There is a product called QuikChip to help remove the old chip and it does work, but can make a mess. You got to be really sure you clean up the excess solder it dumps so as not to short anything. If I were to do it again, I would buy an inexpensive hot air rework tool. Re-installation was not easy.

I have alot of experience with electronics and trying to get all those points soldered properly took patience, a new .07 tip, a magnifying lamp (old eyes) and a few attempts. Whole process of removal and re-install of chip about 1hr, 45 mins. I can tell you I destroyed the old display upon removal and can see how you could damage the new one easily. Not for the faint or heart or those with little soldering experience. I figured I saved $100 over having it repaired by ModuleMaster. You need to decide if it is worth it.

FYI, I tried the heat trick on the ribbon cable and the pressure trick on the display edges and neither worked. When I looked at the ribbon cable with a back light, I could see points where the cable had come apart. I can not see how it could be fixed without creating jumpers over the broken parts. Considering those "wires" are hair thin, it is doubtful anyone could repair.

 

I had some line problems on my LCD when I purchased my 98 A4. I bought a used insrument cluster, and was about the change the LCD display only. However the whole display now goes blank after intial check...so now it is more that just the display. I get "Press clutch to start, and then "OK", then blank. Does anyone know why the LCD would go out after initial display is shown?

 

you would need a new display ..shouldnt be too much money

 

If I replace the entire second hand dash cluster that I have (I want to check the LCDs on the one that I got from the scrap yard) will the computer automatically update the mileage (in my case kms) on the new cluster?

 

Mileage is stored in the computer, not the display. Should be fine. I would be wary of junkyard cluster as so many of these displays eventually failed.

 

I bought the used cluster so that I could send my original cluster in for a new LCD to be installed (the soldering doesn't sound like my cup of tea), and not have to drive around with no cluster while the display was going on. Then I thought I could live with the two small lines missing. When I put the cluster on ebay some asked me what mileage was on the cluster, so I told people that I thought computer would retain car's mileage. The last time I changed a cluster (a mid-90's BMW) the cluster retained the mileage. I did tell next buyer that car had 100K over the dash display.
Anyway I plan to plug the cluster in to test it...if the LCD in good, maybe I will leave it in.

 

Official DIY 2000 Audi S4 LCD Instrument Cluster Pixel Repair

 

Has anybody looked into anisotropic conductive film? I have some of this for iPod ribbon repair. Also anisotropic conductive paste/epoxy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anisot...onductive_film

Anisotropic Conductive Films: Electronic Solutions : 3M United States