Just bought my first TT.

2000 Audi TT Quattro, blue, 5 speed manual.

183,000 Km

There are some problems with it.

First, the date on the cluster is wrong, showing the wrong year, month, and date. Time is fine. Is this a common problem?

Second, the gas gauge is wrong. When the tank is empty, it reads as half full. When the tank is full, it reads far to the right of the gauge. Would the cause of this problem be a faulty fuel sensor in the tank?

Third, I have read about the timing belt assembly being a big problem. I am not sure when or if the timing belt was done. I have quoted an Audi dealership at around $1,200 for parts and labor. Would anyone recommend having the timing belt redone at this mileage?

Fourth, I believe the air conditioning needs a recharging, and I will be doing this.

I would like to invest some money in a cold air intake kit. Does anyone recommend a specific kit for the TT?

Thank you.

 

Hi! I had a 03 TT for 8 years. I loved it! Upgraded to a S5.
Your date function on your cluster is easy to adjust. "Pull" briefly your left hand adjustment ****. That will put it into setting mode. You will know because the hour will start flashing. Continue to briefly pull the **** until the date you want to adjust starts blinking. Rotate the **** in the neutral or released position to adjust up or down (left or right). Once time and date have been set do nothing. It will revert out of the "setting" mode within a few seconds.
As for your instrument cluster, many years ago, there was an Audi recall on the instrument clusters on the TT's. the problem was failure and or very inaccurate indications of the gauges and failure of the LED back lighting. If your car did not have the new and improved cluster installed under warranty/recall, you are on your own. The going rate for a replacement is about $1200. There are companies that will repair your old cluster is you send it in to them. Google "Audi TT instrument cluster". You'll find lots of info.
Your timing belt should be replaced every 100,000kms. Audi says 140,000kms but that is dangerous for your motor. They are a weak point on the 1.8L motor. Spend the money and be sure. You'll sleep better for it. And it will cost you much, much less than if the belt fails.
Also BE SURE to replace the water pump at the same time. They should be replaced together as it only makes sense and the two are connected. You can take it to a good Audi VW guy in your area, to save paying the high shop rate at the dealership. It would be cheap for that guy to open up the cover and do a visual assessment of the belt. If he thinks it looks good, don't worry about it for 50,000kms.
As for your A/C, that's easy, take it anywhere to have the system recharged.

Good luck with your TT and enjoy. I hope I've helped.

 

I have successfully changed the date.

The guy I bought it from said he couldn't change it.

Guess he was wrong, a quick look in the manual did it.

I tracked down the Audi dealership that the previous owner was using.

It turns out the timing belt was done at 157,000 Km so I am okay for a while.

The next problem is the cluster. I have played around with the trip computer, and the mileage until empty seems to match the gas level in the tank, so I believe the faulty fuel gauge is a result of the cluster being damaged.

However, I have also purchased a fuel system cleaner from the Audi dealership in case the fuel system is just dirty but I doubt it.

I have tracked down a person parting out their 2001 Audi TT. It has the larger turbo. He is asking $250 for the cluster. Is this a fair price? He said it was in working order when he was driving his TT. Also, the cluster is MPH / KPH. If I buy this cluster, can I buy new dials with just the KPH and and then just switch them out?

 

Hey!
$250 is a good price for a cluster. But Beware. Get the part number from the '01 cluster and ensure it is the same P/N as your car. There are many different clusters available for TT's. depending on year and of course how the car is equipped. For instance if you have stock wheels and the donor cluster came from a car that was factory equipped with the larger "Option" wheels, all of the computers calculations will be incorrect. Not to mention the speed indication on the speedo!

Removal of your cluster is very easy and won't take you more than 20 mins in your garage.
Here is a link to a forum that explains it.
How to remove the instrument Cluster.... - AudiForums.com

So to avoid issues, get the correct P/N instrument cluster.
Another consideration is a new cluster will have to be reprogrammed with your correct mileage from the previous cluster. Something to keep in mind if you sell the car later.
I'd also suggest contacting the dealership who did the maintenance on the car, they can tell you from the cars VIN if the cluster had been addressed and can give you the part number. In fact any Audi dealership can give you this info.
Again google "Audi TT instrument cluster". You get a TON of info about the cluster issue.
Good luck. Let us all know how you make out.