Missing check engine light?

[A_Man_Eating_Duck]

I had a solenoid go in my trans so it was in limp mode, but i had no indication of the fault from the cluster. When i ran VAG-Com on the car to find out what was going on, it also reported an error code with the engine (Idle Adaptation At Limit). So there were 2 fault codes and the cluster appeared normal.

I took the cluster out this morning to see if maybe a bulb had gone, when i looked on the back, the only bulbs i could replace were the indicator, high beam and back light bulbs. I had a quick look through my Bentley manual and the picture of the back of the cluster didn't match up to mine. I also put the cluster in the sun so i could see the symbols underneath the dials, but i couldn't even find the symbol.

Any ideas?

it's a 1997 golf Mk3 VR6, 01M auto trans, Jap import.

[VR6]

Trans faults do not show in the instrument cluster. Nor engine ones for that matter. There is no check lights until the mk4 models. What trans fault codes came up? If the fault open or short to solenoid 6 came up it is more likely to be the internal wiring loom to the solenoids. There are 7 solenoids. 5 are high resistance but 2 are low resistance. which means thay draw a bit of current. This is the most likely cause of the wiring loom failure

[80 Vert]

Have had a few with open or short to solenoid, which turned out to be the auto ECU. This is just as common as the loom failure.

[A_Man_Eating_Duck]

ahh ok, thanks guys.

I thought i was loosing it for a second

The Trans is already been fixed under warranty, one of the solenoids was faulty (i think solenoid 3). the trans guy said it was the first time he has seen a solenoid fail so quickly in a 01m (only been in there for 1.6 years).

Another quick question, for the people with 01m transmissions, are the gear changes with this box through the 1 - 2 usually quite heavy? this being my first auto (and last ) i really have nothing to compare it to.