UPDATE Technical Bulletin
November 02, 2012
UPDATE – 90H2 Instrument Cluster (NVLW) – U.S. ONLY
NOTE:
• Perform this UPDATE on all applicable vehicles within NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY
• It is MANDATORY to perform UPDATES on all applicable vehicles in dealer inventory PRIOR TO
RETAIL SALE.
• Inform customers that this UPDATE will be available free of charge as long as their vehicle is within
the Warranty parameters outlined in this UPDATE.
NOTE:
Required DMS Wording//Text: (line item, customer concern description on repair order):
UPDATE 90H2 Instrument Cluster (NVLW)

Year Engine
Code

Model(s)

2012
2013

Jetta Sedan

Trans.
Code

From

To

All

3VW___AJ_CM033700

3VW___AJ_DM386273

All

REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

1

October 24, 2012

Original publication – MY 2013 U.S. Only

2

November 02, 2012

Added Model Year 2012 Inventory vehicles for U.S. Only

Condition
This update has been proactively released to prevent customer concerns related to clock and trip
meter adjustment using the instrument cluster buttons. Because of a fitment concern between the
instrument cluster halves the buttons mounted on the instrument cluster may not function properly.
This UPDATE is in effect until removed.
Vehicle must meet all of the following criteria:
•

Procedure is valid only for vehicles that show the 90H2 code in ElsaWeb, Campaign/Action
Information screen on the day of repair.

•

If the vehicle is sold it must be within the NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY

•

Procedure must be performed within the allotted time frame stated in this UPDATE.

•

Procedure must be performed on applicable vehicles in dealer inventory prior to sale.
Page 1 of 11

© 2012 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other
sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

UPDATE Technical Bulletin
Technical Background
Since the lower housing does not fit properly with the upper housing, the buttons do not make contact
when time and/or trip meter is being set. See Picture 1.

Picture 1

Production Solution
th

Improvement in the Production process as of September 30 , 2012.

Service
NOTE:
• ElsaWeb is the only valid inquiry/verification source. Check ElsaWeb on the day this vehicle UPDATE
will be performed to verify vehicle eligibility for the UPDATE. Status must show “open”. Attach an
ElsaWeb printout showing the “open” status to the repair order.
• If this UPDATE appears to have already been performed but the code still shows open in ElsaWeb,
contact Warranty before proceeding further. Another dealer may have recently performed this
UPDATE but not yet entered a claim for it in the system.
• ElsaWeb may also show additional open action(s); if so, inform your customer - this work can be done
while the vehicle is in for this UPDATE.
• Contact the Warranty Helpline

Page 2 of 11
© 2012 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other
sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

UPDATE Technical Bulletin
Work Procedure:
⇐ Check for proper operation of each
instrument cluster button .
•

If both buttons operate properly, WORK
COMPLETE.

•

If one or both buttons do not operate
properly, CONTINUE WORK
PROCEDURE.

Tip:
The estimated repair rate is approximately 20%
of vehicles inspected.

Tip:
The trim bezel and HVAC vent assemblies
should be removed together – if the vents do
not come out with the trim bezel they are
difficult to remove.
•

Turn ignition off.

•

Disconnect and secure negative battery
terminal.
Note:

DO NOT pull/pry on trim directly around vents.

Tip:
Interior of vehicle should be at or near room
temperature prior to removing trim components.
•

Verify all three HVAC vents in the
instrument cluster trim bezel are in the
full-open position.

⇐ Apply protective tape (e.g. masking tape)
to the knee bolster trim to prevent
damage .

Page 3 of 11
© 2012 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other
sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

UPDATE Technical Bulletin
⇐ Gently pry the lower section of the trim
bezel loose from the bolster trim.
Note:
Take notice to the location of the two tabs on
the bottom of the bezel . DO NOT pry
directly against these tabs. Instead, gently pry
the bottom of the bezel up and over the knee
bolster trim.
•

Gently pry the bottom of the bezel up
and over the knee bolster trim.

⇐ With the locking tabs in front of the knee
bolster trim pull directly on the bezel by
hand at the 9 o’clock, then the 3 o’clock
positions of the cluster .
Tip:
HVAC vents should pull out freely with the trim
bezel. If they do not, remove vents from dash
and install onto bezel prior to reassembly.
•

Disconnect the wire harness attached to
the emergency flasher switch prior to
fully removing the bezel/vent assembly

•

Remove the upper steering column trim

Note:
It is not necessary to remove the steering wheel
or the lower steering column trim.

⇐ Remove the instrument cluster mounting
bolts .

Page 4 of 11
© 2012 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other
sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

UPDATE Technical Bulletin
•

Carefully pull the instrument cluster
rearward slightly, and then tilt the
assembly downward to access the
wiring harness connection .

Note:
The slack on the harness connection is
limited. Only pull the cluster out far enough to
access and disconnect the harness.

⇐ Release the locking tab on the
connector and unplug the harness from
the back of the instrument cluster .

•

Remove the instrument cluster from the
vehicle.

⇐ Place the instrument cluster face up on
a clean, sturdy surface.

Page 5 of 11
© 2012 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other
sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

UPDATE Technical Bulletin

•

With the instrument cluster removed
from the vehicle inspect the seam
between the two instrument cluster
halves .

⇐ If the cluster halves are not fully seated
together gently press downward on the
cluster. Be sure to press on the outside
edges of the glass as shown to prevent
damage.
Note:
Do not push directly on glass! Damage to
instrument cluster will occur if pushing directly
on glass.

⇐ While pressing down on the cluster,
apply tape from kit# 5C0 998 870, one
sticker over the button housing and one
over the locking tab .
•

Perform same procedure on opposite
side of instrument cluster.

Tip:
A total of four (4) pieces of tape from kit# 5C0
998 870 must be applied to the instrument
cluster to complete repair.

Page 6 of 11
© 2012 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other
sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

UPDATE Technical Bulletin

Tip:
In cases where gray tape may be installed,
remove gray tape and replace with tape from
kit# 5C0 998 870.

⇐ Inspect instrument cluster thoroughly to
ensure both halves are fully seated and
fastened together .

Tip:
With the repair complete, the seam gap will be
approximately 1mm.
•

Reconnect electrical connector to
instrument cluster and insert cluster into
position.

•

Reconnect battery ground cable.

•

Check for operation of both buttons on
instrument cluster before reinstalling.

•

Reinstall the instrument cluster and
reassemble the vehicle.

⇐ Check for proper instrument cluster
button operation .
WORK COMPLETE

Page 7 of 11
© 2012 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other
sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

UPDATE Technical Bulletin

Warranty
Claim Entry
Procedure

Enter your claim immediately upon completion of the UPDATE. Claims will only be paid
for vehicles that show this UPDATE code open in ElsaWeb on the day of repair. To
help ensure prompt and proper payment, attach the screen print to the repair order.

Claim Help

U.S. dealers - Contact the Warranty Helpline toll-free at 1-866-306-8447 for help with
claim entry.

Required Customer Ensure customers are aware of all work performed on the vehicle by recording the
Notification
information on the repair order.
Attach a copy of the Vehicle UPDATE Fact Sheet to the customer’s copy of the repair
order and take the time to explain this UPDATE to your customer.

Page 8 of 11
© 2012 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other
sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

UPDATE Technical Bulletin
SAGA Code 90H2 Claim Entry Procedure
Check ElsaWeb to confirm that this UPDATE code is open on the day of repair.
Service No.: 90H2
Damage Code: 0099
Parts Manufacturer/Vendor Code: 3ME
Claim Type
Sold vehicle = 7 10
Unsold vehicle = 7 90
Accounting Instructions
Criteria I.D. 01
Check Instrument Cluster buttons operation. Buttons operate correctly. No further work required.
Repair operation:

0183 00 99

10 TU

-- OR -Check Instrument Cluster buttons operation. Buttons do not operate correctly. Repair instrument
cluster with 3M tape kit
Repair operation:

9025 41 99

60 TU

Quantity

Part Number

Part Description

1

5C0 998 870

3M Tape Kit

There is NO reimbursement for wash or loaner vehicle!
If vehicle is not eligible for repair under this UPDATE (i.e.: totaled status) OR if customer refused
repairs.
Fax the Repair Order to VWoA at (248) 754-5093 and provide VIN, applicable Service Number, Customer
Information, Dealer Number and Date

Page 9 of 11
© 2012 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other
sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

UPDATE Technical Bulletin

Required Parts and Tools
Part Description

Part No:

Quantity
1

3M Tape Kit

5C0 998 870

(Note: Each kit contains four
pieces of transparent tape)

Tip:
The estimated repair rate is approximately 20% of vehicles inspected.

Additional Information
All part and service references provided in this Technical Bulletin are subject to change and/or
removal. Always check with your Parts Dept. and Repair Manuals for the latest information.

Page 10 of 11
© 2012 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other
sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

UPDATE Technical Bulletin
UPDATE FACT SHEET – UPDATE Code 90H2
Dear Volkswagen Customer,
Today we performed UPDATE code 90H2 on your vehicle. This UPDATE checks the
operation of the buttons on your instrument cluster that control the clock and trip meter and
repairs them if necessary. This UPDATE was performed for you free of charge.
Volkswagen periodically makes updates like this available in order to ensure our customer’s
continued satisfaction with the quality of their Volkswagen vehicles.
We at Volkswagen are committed to providing our customers with reliable, quality products
that are a pleasure to drive and own. If you should ever have any questions or vehicle
concerns, your authorized Volkswagen dealer will be pleased to assist you.
Thank you for driving a Volkswagen!