Observations of the Autocheck Unit for the 1990 Audi 200 Turbo Quattro Avant. 

**Sept. 10, 2000: I have added a few more observations since putting this page up the first time.

This is the resolution I found the problem of the coolant level warning light flashing.  I recently bought the car, and upon checking the repair invoices I found this defect written up for the first time 5 years ago, and after many failed attempts (including changing the radiator reservoir and switch 3 times by the dealer) they gave up, so I bought the car with the problem.

It should be noted that I checked EVERYTHING else first, Multifunction Switch, Reservoir Switch, Wiring Continuity (Audi really needs to supply a few more inches of wiring in it's harness, would make life alot easier.) etc.etc.

This is a picture of the old unit, going to refer to it as an Autocheck, but I'm sure it probably does something else.  Here is a picture of the unit out of a 1989 nonQ Avant.  Part was graciously donated to the Cobram relief fund by Mike LaRosa. 

The above is the unit I removed from my 1990 200 Turbo Quattro Avant.  There are a few differences, the most notable being the extra IC chip to the left under the connector window. 

The quality of my ole Mavica leaves much to be desired, but above  is a side by side showing the differences between the top turbo quattro autocheck and the bottom nonQ NA model. 

This is a closeup of the extra chip that is present in the 1990TQA unit and not in the 1989 Avant unit. (Just squint and turn your head 47 degrees and you can read the numbers fine.)

This looks as if it was illuminated by the factory Headlights of an Audi but you can still see the same area as the previous picture, but on the NA Avant autocheck.  The cluster for the NA nonQ had the area where the check engine, open door and airbag light goes blanked out with a piece of plastic.

The Turbo Cluster had some differences, including this (I assume) diagnostic connector.

Note missing connector on the NA nonQ cluster.

This was present in the Turbo Cluster but not in the NA cluster.  I don't know what it is, but it looks like a stoneage resistor maybe?  **Update: I have been informed that this is a jumper for the mileage computer, there are different ones for liters/gallons and different tank capacities, Avant vs. Sedan. This is what I have been told, I have NOT confirmed it yet.

I connected the cluster and checked it with this thing both installed and removed, and there was no difference.

If you got this far...I swapped the Autocheck unit, despite the apparent differences and....IT WORKS.  For the first time in half a decade the coolant level warning is neither flashing nor chiming.  The radio station indicator works, along with all the gauges. 

**Update: The Boost indicator reads 5bar and up, the miles to empty and gallons burned on the computer do not display correctly with the Normally Aspirated board in the car. I have found a turbo cluster or two in boneyards, but they won't sell only the Autocheck Board. I'll just keep this one until something reasonable comes up. Besides, it's the wife's car, and she doesn't have a clue nor care what the computer displays.....

I have also had time to simulate alert conditions by jumping or disconnecting connectors, and all of them are working. Just put over 2500 miles on the wagon and the quiet of a working autocheck is very much worth the loss of the boost reading.

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