Figured I'd post this up. Most likely of no interest to most people.

I've seen a few Golfs and Boras on VW forums with instrument clusters that illuminate the needles even when the lights aren't on. I think it was an extra factory fitted extra on the R32s or sports models? I know a few Golf/Bora owners had instrument clusters recoded so that the "miles to empty" feature was enabled (something already enabled on the Superb). It got me thinking if the Superb could be recoded to illuminate the needles like the R32s? So I had a go myself at recoding the instrument cluster. Figured out how to illuminate the needles, LCD displays and the dials independently of each other .... or any combination of the three.

here are the results.

Needles only

Needles and LCD displays

Needles, LCD displays and dials.

Running mine with only the needles illuminated right now. Looks better in the flesh, quite like it in fact.

Soooooo how did you do it??????

Change address 0x01ED in the EEPROM to the following values where x does not change:

x3 = Displays on, no needles and no scales

x5 = Scales on, no needles and no displays

x7 = Scales and displays on, no needles

x9 = Needles on, no displays or scales

xB = Needles and displays on, no scales

xD = Needles and scales, no displays

xF = Displays, scales and Needles on

Edit: Now translated. I can't remember who the original credit goes to as I made those notes 4 years ago

Edited 30 April, 201016 yr by shark_90

Yeah it involves altering the EEPROM.

It does depend on which cluster you have though. Must be a VDO with an immo3. Some are Bosch and cannot be done. Others aren't immo3 and again can't be done.

Seriously be careful with this though, there's real scope to brick your instrument cluster if you ID the cluster incorrectly or alter the wrong values. Whilst researching this I came across more than one person who had recoded the cluster and ended up bricking it. Replacements can be expensive and the procedure isn't exactly straight forward apparently. Be aware also, dependant on which software you use to alter the hex, the addresses can sometimes be transposed ... causing you to inadvertently alter the wrong values. You just have to double check everything before you go ahead.

If any fellow Superb driver really fancies having this, drop me a PM and I'll help out.

Edited 1 May, 201016 yr by allclownsareevi

Cool stuff

Now look what randomly happened to my Maxidot today (as well as going into random European KM mode)

The top half turned red! Got me thinking, can this be re-coded to be a different colour? I know one of the other vag badges has red maxi dot (Audi?) Be cool if it could be coded to be green or something

This happened after I left the key in the ignition without turning it at all for about 10 mins, then I started the car.

is there a simples way of telling which instrument cluster is fitted??

is there a simples way of telling which instrument cluster is fitted??

Do you have access to VCDS or VAG-COM? If so the part number is displayed there in the instruments section. If not, there's a sticker on the reverse of the cluster, usually giving part number and manufacturer. Either VDO or Bosch.

You probably have an Immo III cluster I think. As a general rule, if the immobiliser symbol is on the speedo dial, then it's an immo III.

If someone could run an EEPROM scan on one of these dashes when they are playing up and displayed red/orange and/or Sharan pictogram, I can work out what the byte values have changed to to do this. I know which one affect these displays but not what values they turn into to do this.

Not a VAGCOM scan by the way

I would if I had the kit. :'(

Its only happend 3 times though, I cant replicate the maxidot playing silly buggers, although it does always seem to be if ive been sat in the car with the key in the ignition without starting it for a while AND the headunit has been left on when I left the car last (music doesnt start again until ignition is turned on).

Must be a way of altering it.