MFA Retrofit: What You Need to Know

I have a question (again): What is needed to retrofit a Multifunction Display (MFA) to a Passat 35i 3A5? The car has the instrument cluster with the clock and the digital odometer.

Best regards, WarLord.

You definitely need a combination instrument panel for the MFA (Multi-Function Display) and a windshield wiper lever with MFA functionality. I'm not sure what other sensors you might need (e.g., oil temperature), as I'm not certain about that. In any case, you'll need a combination instrument panel that no longer has the connection for the vacuum hose (for fuel consumption).

You're welcome. I assume the vacuum port is only necessary for gasoline engines to determine the throttle position, correct?

Best regards, WarLord.

Yeah, that's what I imagine too...
I just wanted to point that out.
You can actually find those quite often on eBay.

However, I don't think it's a good idea to connect a combination instrument designed for a gasoline engine to a diesel engine. The tachometer reading would be completely inaccurate.
Were instrument clusters with the MFA (Multi-Function Display) common in diesel versions of the Passat estate?
I've been searching everywhere for a Golf3 TDI, and they're incredibly rare.

Hello,

Please check out the website of diesel-dirk: www.jagiella.net

Everything is described excellently there!

Best regards,
Albrecht

x world one wrote:

Were instrument clusters with the MFA (Multi-Function Display) common in the Passat wagon for diesel models?

Hi,

MFA (Multifunction Display) was standard equipment on all Passat 3A (35i facelift) models with the GT trim (at least on gasoline and TDI versions - I'm not sure about the TD).

Best regards,
Munch.

By the way, if you can't find a combination instrument for the 35i: The one from the T4 might also fit. (At least in terms of shape, I don't know if there will be any problems due to the 5 cylinders -> incorrect readings ).

Do you know if the new design works with this, or only the old one? The new design would be another step up in terms of aesthetics (although I think the Passat looks great already). The one from the Golf III is ugly (I wonder if there are any available on eBay for a TDI). Also, what about the mileage? I'll have to reprogram that too (I'd like to have my 167,000 km showing).

Best regards, WarLord.

Hi,

What do you understand by 'old form' vs. 'new form'? I'm a bit stuck right now...
And the mileage... that's a tricky thing.
I have an instruction manual on how to supposedly adjust the speedometers on our 35i models, but I haven't tried it yet. You need to create a custom cable (without an interface) and then connect it to the 3 pins on the back of the instrument cluster. The manual claims that you can then use a DOS program to adjust it. If you're interested, I can email it to you (about 1 MB).
'Unfortunately, nothing can be accessed via OBD, as the AI systems are not yet capable of diagnostics.'

[Translating...]http://shop.dieselschrauber.de/product_info.php/products_id/45

Oh, you mean for a T4!? Well, that won't fit, not even considering the shape... It looks more like a Golf 4.