Cluster Odomoter Removal DIY, mileage reset !

I just bought a brand new cluster on Craigslist for my 2003 Porsche 996. I was not really looking to change the cluster as I like the black background but when I saw a great deal on a grey background I went for it. After installation I was really surprised to see that my original mileage was not stored in the ECU but in the cluster. So now my car show 32 miles on the odometer, which is the number of miles that was on the cluster when I bought, based on previous owner testimony... It is good to know that you have to be careful when seeing super low mileage car. check the Carfax and check for wear and tear. Now quick DIY for the removal. It is same as other I found except one warning how to remove the hazard switch, which I had to discover for myself... : 1/ press the hazard button -> button pop out and hazard are now blinking 2/ pull the button out by placing small screwdrivers on each side: left, right 3/ KEEP THE LIGHT BLINKING !!! 4/ remove the hazard switch by pushing tabs located on the left and right side of the switch, pull toward you CAREFULL, make sure the switch is on the ON position or you risk to break it as you pull it out... Ask me how I know... Also on my car MkII, I had to pull really hard as the switch would not get out, without pulling the oval surround at the SAME time. Don't try to pull the surrounding before the switch, it is to weak and it would break. 6/ you now see a torx screw (20), unscrew 5/ pull the microphone cap on the left of the cluster with very small screwdriver. 7/ you now see a torx screw (20) unscrew 8/ pop carefully the cluster upward, toward the roof it will pop 9/ CAREFULL, put a towel in between the cluster and steering column as it got sharp edges and will move when you remove the connections 10/ tilt cluster toward you and let it rest on steering column. 11/ remove cluster cables from behind by pressing tab and pulling lever toward you, pretty easy to figure. My 2 cents...

I seem to recall from some time ago that a new cluster can have the mileage updated but it had to happen with the first 100 miles/km or something or the capability was then lost. So if you still have that low of mileage you might check with the local dealer or someone that has a PST2 to see if you can still get it done.

I wont buy a texas porsche thats for sure I think the mileage can be put back to ECU mileage at the dealer. If you are reselling some time and somebody wants to picky down range its you that car fax would highlite as the place mileage went wrong. Sell it to a BP exec since like like to post low numbers in high number situtaions.

Yeah, I would have preferred it if it kept my original mileage. Next time I bring the car to the shop I plan to ask them to put it back to the right number. But Tom worries me with his stuff about the 100 miles limit to do it ... Because my dealer is 400 miles away ! and I am not planning to replace the cluster for the trip.

OK, here's the post I recalled from quite a few years ago (2003 to be exact) when this topic came up. The info is from "Tool Pants" I don't know if this still holds true today but it would seem that it certainly could. If you can locate someone closer than the dealer with a PST2 you would be OK.

arghhh damned !!!! I need to double check this as I really want to update the mileage... I'll have to call a dealer tomorrow to double check then... arghh again

The unit is easy to open up into two units B and C. One with the gauges and the other with the LCD's. On my 2000 996 I was able to do this. Have not tried it on the 2002 but should be close. This would let you use your old LCD read-out with the new gray faces. Note you will not have the clips seen in figure 2.

Wait....so if I buy a new cluster my mileage will be reset to the mileagecon the new cluster??? This doesn't sound right.

It used to be rolling over 100,000 you got a brand new car. Darn new odometers and dependable cars

Quotes source post: 7593378

Yes and no. A new cluster odometer can be programmed. Once the cluster has recorded more than 62 miles it is locked and cannot be changed even with the PST2 or PIWIS tester. But, private companies can make the cluster show any mileage you want.

Is there some kind of DIY kit that is selling so you can do this at home ? I am living pretty far from any big city and I'd prefer not to send my cluster by mail. I think today I will look into updating m new cluster with the electronic of the old one, but I hate to have to remove the cluster again. Most of what keep it in place are plastic tabs and I am afraid that after a couple of removal/installation the thing might not be as sturdy as it was before.

I tried to open my old black cluster but unfortunately the cluster is not the same as the mkI it seems. all the electronic is like one piece with the needle system. My other solution, removing the background and change only that part....BUT how do you remove the needle without breaking them ?

Personally, I think the least risky way to deal with this is to swap the clusters back and have the dealer install/update the replacement when you have the chance. I know it doesn't satisfy the instant gratification junkie (I'm certainly part of that crowd!) but there's less overall risk in that approach. The other option, as mentioned previously, is to have a local shop adjust the mileage. Though it sounds like you may not have any capable of doing that around you. Just my $0.02

Maybe I'm just being retarded, but you can really show whatever mileage you want? So how do you know if the person before you didn't change the mileage?

exactly my point.... I though the mileage was in the ECU and hoped that the porsche PPI would reveal eventual problems... but nothing is less certain right now...

The pictures appear to show the gauge should disconnect from the LCDs. Looks like the separation point is at the white tabs marked with the red arrows. The center black arrow is the ribbon connector between the gage faces and the LCD circuit board. Arrow to the left marks the screw that is used to lock the white tabs. The left and right bottom arrows may also need to be unplugged to remove top.

Ok so as I am not taking challenges like that lightly, I went for it... Even though it is easy... youhave to pretty much unscrew every single screw you can see. You can detach the far left and far right dial easily by simply removing the connectors and pulling the tabs, but to remove the speedo, rev and gas gage (those 3 dials are coming as one piece, you have to completely remove the circuit board in the back. Only when the circuit board is removed you can gain access to the last screw holding the rpm dial and also have access to two smal tabs that hold the three dials to the main mold. Enjoy the pics.. Before doing that, figure that I put bak my black speedo as I realized my radio display 'PROTECT' and would not work ! arghhh So the question is: If I switch the dials, I use my old circuit board... Will my radio work !!! ??? I am not sure If I want to attempt this... even though the temptation is great Opinions ?

Very Nice job: That is what I expected, looks like you’re technical. You should be ok switching gauge faces since all the CPU information is on the LCD board. I would give it a try. The silver gauge is much better looking than the black. Not sure why you’re getting a radio error, it must be the 2003 MOST system tied with the gauge LCD board. Whatever you do don’t pull of the gauge needles without marking the operating position of each needle; you may through the calibration off.

Conclusion of this DIY story. After my failed attempt to mount a completely new cluster in my car, because the radio would stop working , protect message, and also my mileage would not be right, I am now attempting to install the gray background dial over my original circuit board. Why all that work instead of jsut switching the background ? ... I did not want to simply switch the dial background as there are too many post talking about breaking the mechanism while pulling on the needles or throwing the needle out of 'alignment'. So today I removed my black original cluster AGAIN ... I opened it up to the last bit to remove the black dials, I mean the whole 3 center components (odometer, rev, gas) and the two small ones (battery, oil temp). Then I replaced them with my new grey background components. So I end up with my old cluster main circuit board, which contain the little lcd screen at the bottom of the RPM meter, and on top of that my 5 grey background component. I was a bit scared to do this again with no guarantee that the old circuit board would communicate properly with the new dials, but it works ! My Frankenstein cluster is working perfectly well. All gauges working and my radio (MOST) is also working fine. So for those of you who wondered if it is possible, now you have your answer see below pics of the cluster with proper mileage and playing nice with the radio:

You found a new definiton of pain.

Wow, congrats to you. I don't have that kind of patience or nuts to do that. Very nice job.

Phil, good for you! I like the white (actually silver) gauge faces.

nice! dont let the air-cooled guys give ya crap, they have a secret "issue" with odometers that requires an operation too....(ask me how I found out ) WTG on your success!

Nice, job...now do the IMS upgrade. See how in the new issue of Excellence magazine.

Great write up.

About the IMS funny you mention that, as I'd love to do it ! i just feel that I don't have all the info I need. The DIY are pretty good but in Mechanics I am really a newbie, I hope some better more precise DYI will pop up as I'd really love to do it. I also have a PSS10 install that I'd love to do

The new issue of Excellence magazine has the complete step by step procedure for the IMS upgrade. Some of the steps are an over kill but a great write up. The hard part of the IMS upgrade is removing the transmission, labor intensive.

Chris996 and philoo, you are my heroes! This was all the information I needed! I bought a "pristine" used cluster on eBay for $250 which then of course turned out as a piece of junk. But with your findings it turns out that my old (partially broken) cluster and the (partially broken) cluster from eBay were a perfect match and after following your instructions and assembling the good pieces from both clusters into one good one I now have a working cluster again You da man!

So this is a new style cluster. Does anyone know if this will work with an Old style cluster? I have a 99 Boxster and want to install a 996 cluster but the clock on the 996 cluster is damaged and trying to avoid the cost of getting it fixed.

Hi philooo, does your airbag warning light have normal function at startup? I mean does the warning light appears for some seconds after you switched ignition on? At my 2004 996 C2 I tried the same. After I connected one spare part instument cluster I saw the mileage from this spare part. After changing back to original one my airbaig warning light is always off. regards Peter

Probably not going to get an answer from philoo... Last Activity: 09-21-2018 04:48 PM But maybe?