Help! 2002 Boxter S Instrument Cluster - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Hi all, I have been enjoying a 2002 Boxter S 6-speed for several thousand miles since purchasing in mid 2021 but recently experienced an electrical short in the instrument cluster (I believe) causing a melt-down at the green electrical connectors, male & female, and evidence of heat on the male blue connector which was crumbling apart (aging?). I had garaged it after a normal drive and a few days later I was beginning another trip but in second gear while pulling away I noticed the tach & speedo including digital were indicating zero when I smelled smoke. After returning to my driveway and turning off the ignition ASAP everything cooled down allowing me to quickly drive it into the garage and disconnect the battery where it sits now. The whole ordeal from garage and back to driveway lasted about 15 minutes and I am very concerned that no fuse was blown since they are all intact with correct amperage according to the chart. Previously all the gauges worked well except the oil level gauge indicated full constantly and I have assumed that was a sender problem. Naturally, I am looking for a compatible replacement cluster and male connectors, blue and green. I am finding several 2001 clusters and wonder how to tell if they are compatible and what is involved in reprograming the cluster? Also, with the cluster disconnected, removed and ignition on I have put up the top successfully and wonder if harm will come by cranking to remove and return it to the garage to access the attic for Christmas decorations and stay out of the doghouse? I will greatly appreciate any advice from the Forum since I am way over my head with this.......Jim W. PS: I would also like to avoid burning my Boxter and house down.......

You say your cluster has green and blue connectors and I assume a grey one. You need a cluster with these color plugs. You will also need the cluster to be for the manual transmission. Beyond that it should be plug and play. As for plugs, they are usually available used on Ebay. Not necessary but a scanner such as Xtool X100 will set the milage to whatever you want and also not necessary an eprom read write can be used to change the VIN . Good Luck

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I believe you're incorrect. Can you support that claim? I'd like to be wrong... From their marketing materials: OE-Level Full Systems Diagnostic XTOOL X100 PADS diagnostic scan tool can access the electronic control unit (ECU) of various vehicle control systems, including the engine, transmission, antilock braking system (ABS), airbag system (SRS), and read ECU information, read and clear DTC and check living data and freeze frames. --Attention Please: 1. All the service function or key programming function can not work on ALL vehicles. Please come to us with your car VIN and required functions for compatibility check! 2. X100 PADS CAN NOT perform Mileage Correction function or Bi-directional control. 3. X100 PADS do not work for VW/for BENZ/for BMW specific vehicles or for Toyota smart key all key lost. 4. How to activate the x100 Pads Tablet: Please download the newest user manual from "Product guides and documents" (No activation code requiring anymore)

Starter986 You speak and write about the X100 PAD of which I know nothing. I own and use an Xtool X100PRO2. It will change the odometer on this cluster.

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Thank you for the correction. Do you prefer that device over a Durametric, particularly for our 986 cars? Further, can that device change both the digital and analog readout?

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Many thanks to you and all for your replies. You are correct that the third connector is grey. My Boxter's VIN is WP0CB29872U661354 and cluster info is VDO 110.080.039/037 PORSCHE 986 641 233 00 EOD. I have found a couple of used clusters on line with very close numbers including one with close mileage that I am very interested in. Naturally, if a compatible cluster is plug & play that would be great since all I wanna do is drive & grin. I have some mechanical and VERY few digital skills with zero knowledge of the devices described here and would greatly appreciate further advice from you and other Members....

Codger/Starter I have both the Durmetriic and and the Xtool I use the Durametric for Porsche problems and the Xtool for my other cars. It happens that the Xtool will change the Digital odometer on my 986 I think it has no problems with 986 clusters from about 1998 to 2004 Some time ago I replaced my 986 cluster for a 996 cluster. I used an eprom read write with my laptop to change the 996 cluster VIN and model year to match my 986. I had to also use it to change the 996 cluster gas tank calibration because it is different for 4 wheel drive vrs 2 wheel. The 996 gas tanks are different shapes. What I remember pretty clearly is that the 986 boxster has an early cluster and a later cluster. They are not interchangeable. The later cluster has a blue and green and grey connector. I'm pretty sure that the later blue green grey clusters with the correct transmission are interchangeable. I do not know how to tell if a 986 cluster has an OBC until it is powered up. If it does you can activate it with the Duremetric.

Again, thanks for the information. I may have a friend (previous owner) with a Durametric but he is about 60 miles away and I am wondering if I would be able to install the new/used cluster and drive there if it does have the OBC (or not)? I do have an iCarsoft analyzer but am sure it will not help at this level...