I have been having electrical issues for a few years now, and would like to try and solve them.

1. My clocks sometimes freeze or switch off whilst driving, then start up again. Occasionally, the speedometer will stick at speed, eg, 30mph, so when i am doing 30mph it will show 60mph.

2. My key fob no longer works, so i have to use the key to unlock the drivers door, then put the key in the ignition to switch of the alarm and open the doors. It is not a battery issue, can this be fixed ?

How can you be sure it is not a battery problem? A simple multimeter voltage test is inadequate to detect a dying battery, so as a first step get the battery professionally tested. If the battery needs to be replaced get a decent one, not a nasty Lion or the like. I doubt it will need to be coded to a 24 year old car, but check with the vendor.

Once you have a proven decent battery suspicion then falls on the instrument cluster, which tends to fail on A3s of this era. It can usually be repaired by companies such as ECU Testing at a fraction of the price Audi would charge you. Less than £300 if I recall correctly.

20 minutes ago, cliffcoggin said:

How can you be sure it is not a battery problem? A simple multimeter voltage test is inadequate to detect a dying battery, so as a first step get the battery professionally tested. If the battery needs to be replaced get a decent one, not a nasty Lion or the like. I doubt it will need to be coded to a 24 year old car, but check with the vendor.

Once you have a proven decent battery suspicion then falls on the instrument cluster, which tends to fail on A3s of this era. It can usually be repaired by companies such as ECU Testing at a fraction of the price Audi would charge you. Less than £300 if I recall correctly.

My fob initially stopped working for about a month. then started working again. Then not so long after it packed in once more. I went to a local car accessories/parts shop who like you said, sold me a decent battery. it worked for a couple of weeks, then packed in again. I have tried again changing the batteries, but no such luck.

 

Thank you for the input.

I was referring to the main 12 volt car battery when I suggested to get it tested. You may find the other problems disappear once that is proven.

It is definitely not the car battery, i had that changed for a new one.

So what? Even new a battery can fail if it it is unsuitable or the charging circuits are faulty. That's why I suggested getting tested. However if you want to work on the assumption it is in good condition then I refer you to my first reply regarding the instrument cluster.

48 minutes ago, cliffcoggin said:

So what? Even new a battery can fail if it it is unsuitable or the charging circuits are faulty. That's why I suggested getting tested. However if you want to work on the assumption it is in good condition then I refer you to my first reply regarding the instrument cluster.

I appreciate your feedback, but done the things you have suggested so far. Someone has mentioned that there could be a bad earth contact somewhere on the car but not been able to trace such.

Without access to the car all I can is suggest the most likely problems. If you believe there is a bad earth but can not find one an auto electrician may be your best bet.

This could be an issue with the instrument cluster. They can be tested and repaired and I'd recommend looking for local firms. 

Regarding the key, have you tried the spare key so that you can rule out the key. In failing that it could be an issue with the receiver. Has the car ever had wet carpets as wet passenger front foot well can damage the ccm. 

What news on your problem Reg? I see you visited the forum seven hours ago.