If you take an instrument cluster off an Octavia Mk1 1 VRS and plug it into another, what works, what doesn't work, do you get a fault code and how easy is it to change the odometer reading? Please state if you talk from personal knowledge or passed lore (I've had too many 'send 2 and thruppence, we're going to a dance' messages on other subjects).

I've spent ages looking through posts on the fuse 15 issue but nowhere can I find anything definite.

I ask this out of interest rather than addressing a problem as I've seen a lot of speedo problems here and I recently saw the results of changing the cluster on a Mazda RX8. I recently helped someone I know with a problem where I plugged in my instrument cluster. Everything seemed to work as normal without any dealer coding albeit that a fault code (for an incompatible cluster) was generated and I couldn't check most of the warning lights as they were illuminated for his problem (ABS/traction control ECU failure, which stops data feed to electric power steering, engine ECU, gearbox etc;). The odometer gave the coded car's mileage, suggesting the chip in the cluster holds mileage data. Both dealers and mileage adjustment specialists said this car's cluster could not be changed easily, if at all.

Cheers,

Ian

ps Forgot to say that changing the RX8 cluster did not affect the immobilizer.

Edited 10 October, 201015 yr by Ian_D

Instrument cluster is coded to the car, so has to be recoded to work in a different car.

Edited 10 October, 201015 yr by pauldazzle

Assuming that both clusters are the same part number for a start, the mileage displayed will be from the donor car, and unless you have the SKC for both cars and are able to re-program the cluster, you will not be able to overide the immobiliser and car will not start.

I assume that all of the warning lights would still work.

Most things should work, you just wont be able to start the car. To get the car to start with the donor cluster, you will need to code it to your cars ECU, its a fairly complicated task and better undertaken by a dealer. You can do it, but it will take quiet some time, a dealer on the other hand should be able to sort it in 1/2 hour. The mileage from the donor cluster cannot officially be altered, but there are ways I wont go into to do this. You will also need the SKC (4 digit pin) for both your current cluster and the donor one, to allow the coding to take place.

This is the sort of thing we do all the time. I know you're a fair way from us but if you get in touch I have a London based colleague who can help you out.

Guys, thanks.

I forgot to say that changing the RX8 cluster did not affect the immobilizer, although most sources said that it would (it turned out they were just passing on what someone once said to them in a pub/forum). The pick-up ring on the lock must go to the main computer without being routed to through the cluster (and why should it?).

So, forgive me for asking (ie don't shout at me for questioning what you say), just to put my mind at rest as I can't see why the immobilizer data should be held in the cluster rather than the main ECU, could one of you just confirm for me that the "immobilizer won't work" comes from first-hand knowledge rather than passed-on lore?

Cheers,

Ian

The immobiliser will not work.

The immobiliser will not work.

Thanks. Shouting louder works for me!

Cheers,

Ian