7 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHVDOrepair Newport Beach Ca?
Leading reported evidence
Replace sent the instrument cluster
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Sent the instrument cluster to them over the winter, screen was replaced, works perfect.
Leading evidence: 'Replace sent the instrument cluster' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'instrument cluster controller -- this is not socketed' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Recommend vdo facility based' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
instrument cluster controller -- this is not socketed
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
The problem is very probably a bad instrument cluster controller -- this is not socketed but soldered directly to the instrument cluster circuit board -- or possibly an I/O buffer chip.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Bottom line is I can recommend the VDO facility based on my recent experience.
Repair facility here in northern ca, at palo alto speedometer
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
There is another highly rated instrument cluster repair facility here in northern CA, at Palo Alto Speedometer:
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
instrument cluster controller -- this is not socketed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
The problem is very probably a bad instrument cluster controller -- this is not socketed but soldered directly to the instrument cluster circuit board -- or possibly an I/O buffer chip.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
7 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261027T042512Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Has anybody used them for any instrument cluster repairs? VDOrepairs.com. I sent them an email but wanted to see if anyone had any feedback? Dealing with a cluster where the speedos and tach dropped, but all other warning lights and gauges are functioning.
Just don't want to drop the $$$$ on a brand new cluster if I don't have too.....even though I know that is the general consensus.
Haven't used them, but I talked to them when our ODO snowflaked. Everything I read about them was positive and so was my interaction.
They were up front that trying to repair these clusters is a gamble. They give you the price for the repair, but will also tell you that the costs may go up as other things tend to get damaged when you crack it open.
The last I looked a used cluster was about the price of VDO's, but then you are stuck with the donor car's mileage and coding. The coding can be fixed with a PIWIS, but the only way to fix the miles is with a hack by someone really good with electronics.
The other option, of course, is a new cluster which is pricey. The PIWIS can reset it's mileage within the first 50 though.
Thanks gnat. Good to know they are at least honest and upfront. Ideally just want to keep my existing cluster, but we'll see what the cards hold. At this point I would repair if possible or just do new.
Other reviews or ideas?
Call Singh Kaku at European Car Specialists (949)261-0600. If it has to do with 911's, he is THE guy. I drive 120 miles to get him to work on the P-car. Saved me a boatload of $$ and got me back in an affair with my P-car. He is in Newport Beach, so I am sure that he knows these guys. Tell Singh that "Fast Frank" sent you.
I have used vdorepair.com and was very satisfied. The LED screen in my tachometer had many dead pixels. Sent the instrument cluster to them over the winter, screen was replaced, works perfect.
I believe you will find Porsche instrument cluster repairs are done at the VDO facility in Lake Havasu City, AZ.
Not too many months ago I had my instrument cluster sent there to have it repaired to address a constantly on air bag warning light. There were no error codes associated with the light. A new air bag controller did not extinguish the light. A handy instrument cluster out of another car did not manifest the air bag warning light on symptom when installed in my car.
The cluster board received a couple of new components. I do not know which ones. Unfortunately the air bag warning light remained on. The tech I spoke to told me that there are other parts he can replace and he can transfer all the info that is unique to my car from the old parts to the new parts so the odometer and mileage are unaffected. I'm pretty proud of the nearly 294K miles on the odometer and do not want to lose this.
The next time I have the car in for other service I'll have the instrument cluster shipped back to VDO in AZ to have the parts replaced which hopefully will have the air bag warning light dark.
I spoke with the tech at VDO several times, once before the unit was sent and once afterwards. I was pretty impressed with the tech. Even though the air bag warning light is still on after his efforts I do not think this reflects badly upon him. The problem is very probably a bad instrument cluster controller -- this is not socketed but soldered directly to the instrument cluster circuit board -- or possibly an I/O buffer chip. Briefly, all warning lights are on a common power line. They are constantly powered and would be on until each LED is grounded. What has probably happened is the instrument controller pin -- or the I/O buffer pin to which it controls -- that controls the ground of the air bag warning light is bad and as a result the LED is always on.
It would be the replacement of the instrument cluster controller or the I/O buffer chip the next time that would hopefully have the air bag warning light dark.
Bottom line is I can recommend the VDO facility based on my recent experience.
There is another highly rated instrument cluster repair facility here in northern CA, at Palo Alto Speedometer:
718 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Phone
[phone removed]
I might be tempted to use this place as it is a bit closer and its turn around time is reported to be shorter than VDO's. I would have to call the shop first and talk to someone to get a feel if the shop could help matters with my cluster though.
Since one has to ship the instrument cluster whether it gets shipped to someplace in AZ or someplace in northern CA makes little difference.
Be sure when you ship the unit wherever you elect to ship it you pack the unit right. Use plenty of bubble wrap.
Thanks for the referrals, tips and advice. It gives me some new leads.
Palo Alto speedometer can do some work on them but not the non working speedo/tach.
Now I have some calls to make on Monday!
I'll post what I find out.
Best,
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
