Colour DIS retrofit?

[dracolnyte]

Just wondering if this is possible or has anyone done it before?
Swapping the center driver information system from the red monochrome to a more vibrant colour display.

[audifirst]

you need new cluster, there is no way retrofit

[08a4guy]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but does anyone know how swapping the clusters would work? Is the mileage of the car stored in the DIS or does the DIS run off of the ECU's information? Meaning, would it simply be a plug-n-play swap or would there be coding/security issues one would have to deal with? Couldn't find anything related to this in my searches...

[NPuter]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but does anyone know how swapping the clusters would work? Is the mileage of the car stored in the DIS or does the DIS run off of the ECU's information? Meaning, would it simply be a plug-n-play swap or would there be coding/security issues one would have to deal with? Couldn't find anything related to this in my searches...

David is knowledgeable on this subject. I believe that the mileage is stored on the cluster itself and if the mileage stored passes a certain amount, it becomes locked.

There is a thread about it somewhere.

[08a4guy]

David is knowledgeable on this subject. I believe that the mileage is stored on the cluster itself and if the mileage stored passes a certain amount, it becomes locked.

There is a thread about it somewhere.

Thanks Nick! I'll check in with David :-)

[DavidB8]

I should start a 1 976 line or something.

Some interesting updates on this one. The only reason this modification becomes difficult is because the mileage can not be altered on a set of gauges after they have accumulated 60miles/100kms. Something to do with how Audi has their system set for some reason.

Well albeit I sacrificed sleep last night over the 4 month long pursuit I did finally have success. I can now alter the mileage on the odometer. Although I only altered my current gauges from 9307 km's to 9300 km's it does show it can be done. So technically I should be able to reset a gauge cluster to 0 allowing the dealer to set the mileage during a swap. At the very least I can set the mileage to match or close to match the gauges in use.

Sorry no VCDS tricks for this one. It took a special programmer to make this one happen. If anyone needed a set of gauges altered though you could always send them to me.

[NPuter]

I should start a 1 976 line or something.

Some interesting updates on this one. The only reason this modification becomes difficult is because the mileage can not be altered on a set of gauges after they have accumulated 60miles/100kms. Something to do with how Audi has their system set for some reason.

Well albeit I sacrificed sleep last night over the 4 month long pursuit I did finally have success. I can now alter the mileage on the odometer. Although I only altered my current gauges from 9307 km's to 9300 km's it does show it can be done. So technically I should be able to reset a gauge cluster to 0 allowing the dealer to set the mileage during a swap. At the very least I can set the mileage to match or close to match the gauges in use.

Sorry no VCDS tricks for this one. It took a special programmer to make this one happen. If anyone needed a set of gauges altered though you could always send them to me.

The ECU does store mileage correct? (Meaning it isn't just the instrument cluster that tracks mileage)...

I may be interested in this if I can find a US cluster for a good price...

[DavidB8]

No just the cluster on our cars.

[OEMplus.com]

DavidB8,
very interesting, might I ask how you got around the Audi protection lock on the cluster?

-nick

[NPuter]

No just the cluster on our cars.

There is a measuring block in 01-Engine that reports vehicle mileage. Does this just come from the instrument cluster?

[DavidB8]

DavidB8,
very interesting, might I ask how you got around the Audi protection lock on the cluster?

I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you. Tell you what.. I'll trade you. I'll give you what you need to program the odometer in exchange for the tools and ability to program dongles ;)

There is a measuring block in 01-Engine that reports vehicle mileage. Does this just come from the instrument cluster?

Always asking the tough questions... Well I can always check to see what the MB is showing with the change I made to my cluster. MB's do show lots of information though not always relevant to the module showing them. So it could stand to reason that the mileage is read from the cluster. I can tell you that when you do a cluster swap at the dealer it's all done through the cluster module. Now I can't say for sure if their system goes behind the scene and sets it somewhere else as well though. Fact is, if your swapping your gauges properly the mileage on the cluster should match the ECU anyways. Still a valid question though and good information to know if your buying a used car to see if there is a way to tell if the mileage has been altered.

I was pretty sure the car does log cluster changes though but I've spent so much time on so many things this part is a little fuzzy to me now.

What MB do you want me to look at Nick?

[NPuter]

I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you. Tell you what.. I'll trade you. I'll give you what you need to program the odometer in exchange for the tools and ability to program dongles ;)



Always asking the tough questions... Well I can always check to see what the MB is showing with the change I made to my cluster. MB's do show lots of information though not always relevant to the module showing them. So it could stand to reason that the mileage is read from the cluster. I can tell you that when you do a cluster swap at the dealer it's all done through the cluster module. Now I can't say for sure if their system goes behind the scene and sets it somewhere else as well though. Fact is, if your swapping your gauges properly the mileage on the cluster should match the ECU anyways. Still a valid question though and good information to know if your buying a used car to see if there is a way to tell if the mileage has been altered.

I was pretty sure the car does log cluster changes though but I've spent so much time on so many things this part is a little fuzzy to me now.

What MB do you want me to look at Nick?

I don't quite remember which measuring block it is - I'll go and check.

I am kinda hoping that the mileage is locked into the ecu. Otherwise, wouldn't someone be able to buy a new cluster and basically have a new car?

[DavidB8]

I don't quite remember which measuring block it is - I'll go and check.

I am kinda hoping that the mileage is locked into the ecu. Otherwise, wouldn't someone be able to buy a new cluster and basically have a new car?

yeah and that's the age old problem and why registration and tracking and research is so important when you buy a car. The catch with the Audi is that you can't really do it with a new cluster because the dealer still has to adapt it to the car. Now with your current cluster that would be easy enough to alter.

Let me know on the MB and I'll check it when I get home.

[Nison_Li]

Sent you my S4 gauges in the mail!
my dealer cant adapt it because it's over 100kms.

yeah and that's the age old problem and why registration and tracking and research is so important when you buy a car. The catch with the Audi is that you can't really do it with a new cluster because the dealer still has to adapt it to the car. Now with your current cluster that would be easy enough to alter.

Let me know on the MB and I'll check it when I get home.

[ms3008]

I'm definitely interested in doing this as well. Does anyone have any part numbers? I spoke to my dealer today about the swap and they were pretty hesitant about it.

[DavidB8]

I'd hold on until I get a chance to play a little more. I did one change after being up for 20 hours. Not a great success rate just yet :)

[malish]

Immo needs to be synched up for the cluster to work. I'm guessing that David alters mileage directly on the chip but I'm sure that there are tools that can do it through obd.

[DavidB8]

I got into this just to change my own. It was cheaper for me to get a used cluster and the programming tools than it was to buy a new cluster.

I haven't gone beyond there yet. I haven't looked at on Chip yet but that may be my next step. I'm collecting chip programmers now as well as the 4 different VAG programmers I have now.

[TR464]

I'm definitely interested in doing this as well. Does anyone have any part numbers? I spoke to my dealer today about the swap and they were pretty hesitant about it.

Why do you ask this general question again ? I already named a part number, so please let the public verify it with your specific car data.

[ms3008]

Why do you ask this general question again ? I already named a part number, so please let the public verify it with your specific car data.

I thought you gave me a general part number but upon reading it again, I just realized that you've already given me a part number.

But yeah you caught me here. I was lazy and just wanted to see if anyone had the comprehensive list.

I have the part number but not the required suffix. So to be more specific, for the A5 the part number is 8T0 920 931 L or 8T0 920 931 LX for a cluster in KPH. The last letters depend on the car.

For anyone who is interested, the number for the A4 is 8K0 920 980 / 981 + suffix, "980 / 981" determines color + speed in miles.

Only thing is that I'm not sure what is the required suffix for a 2011 model in KPH, no ACC and gasoline engine.

But since my dealer is hesitant about this and David is still working on it, I think I'll put this on hold until the expert gives the green light!

[coolwater]

Nice so you can alter mileage now.
I'll call you when I'm ready to trade-in the ride.
Show me the CarFox. :)

-cW

[NickZag]

Nice so you can alter mileage now.
I'll call you when I'm ready to trade-in the ride.
Show me the CarFox. :)

-cW

My Q7 had a milage discrepancy that showed up on the carfax and was a red flag when I went to trade it in. Even Carmax was freaking out. Turned out the previous owner had the setting on KM instead of miles and then switched it, but the techs where entering the KM as milage in the service history. It took forever to get fixed.

[TR464]

... I have the part number but not the required suffix. ...

Sorry, still don't get you.
What do you think the suffix "L" / "LX" (with X being an exchanged item) I named stands for?

[DavidB8]

Well it looks like the current method has it's draw backs. The gauges are very smart. From factory they are programmed that you must enter a number higher than 100 km's during programing. This even stands true for the dealer with a new set of gauges. I am guessing if a set failed under 100km's then they would just use the default out of the box 0 starting point. If you try to enter anything less than 100 kms they will automatically default to 110kms.

The only catch to this is the dealer can't set the mileage but the mileage can still be set. So if you know what your mileage is you can set the new gauges to it. Of course the best time to do that would be after the swap so the mileage could be set as close as possible to the current. I'm still looking into other methods and have identified the main IC ship and so forth. It's just not high priority for me at the moment. It was never meant to be something I thought others would get use from.

[DavidB8]

But since my dealer is hesitant about this and David is still working on it, I think I'll put this on hold until the expert gives the green light!

I wouldn't worry to much about it if I where you. Your not going to find a gauge set on eBay for a 2011 for some time, let alone an A5. Your only hope would be new and then it wouldn't matter. You'll have to be patient for this one. I took me a year to find my gauges and then it was from a foreign wrecker and not even eBay.

Don't worry I'm pretty sure you have enough other stuff to work on soon ;)

[Canuckian]

Don't think I'll be needing David's services for kilometerage adjustment any time soon...I am coming up on a year of ownership on my 2011 A4 P+, and JUST passed the 5000 km mark on the odometer. I blame it on the fact that I have been deployed 4 times already this year with a fifth time in the near future as well as the fact that I live close to the base on which I work.

[DavidB8]

Well I have 9300km's on my car in almost 2 years and 7000km's was driving it home from the dealer.

[Canuckian]

Well I have 9300km's on my car in almost 2 years and 7000km's was driving it home from the dealer.

David's got me beat! I need to start taking advantage of the autobahn's over here before I am posted back to Canada!

[vtheman]

Well I have 9300km's on my car in almost 2 years and 7000km's was driving it home from the dealer.

Jeez, where did you buy your car, in Mexico?

[vtheman]

DavidB8,
very interesting, might I ask how you got around the Audi protection lock on the cluster?

-nick

May we ask you to be a little more customer friendly?

[DavidB8]

Jeez, where did you buy your car, in Mexico?

Do you know where I live??

[vtheman]

Do you know where I live??

Where no polar bear will venture :)

[ms3008]

Sorry, still don't get you.
What do you think the suffix "L" / "LX" (with X being an exchanged item) I named stands for?

That's what I'm not sure about, was confused about the two diffferent suffixes. But I get it now. It's a core exchange item. Only realized this after David's post. I'll keep a lookout for that part now that I have the proper part number to start with. Thanks for clearing that up. But I don't think I'll do this mod anytime soon now that David has stuff in stock for me..

I wouldn't worry to much about it if I where you. Your not going to find a gauge set on eBay for a 2011 for some time, let alone an A5. Your only hope would be new and then it wouldn't matter. You'll have to be patient for this one. I took me a year to find my gauges and then it was from a foreign wrecker and not even eBay.

Don't worry I'm pretty sure you have enough other stuff to work on soon ;)

Haha that's true! Almost forgot about that. Can't wait for the kits to arrive! I also got the folding mirrors so I can do everything at the same time. Already started planning out the installation in my head for the past few weeks.

I spoke to my dealer about the programming of the keys and he said it will cost around $200 for both keys and I told him what you said about the keys being different but he said there's a chance I might be able to use my own keys. Not sure if new keys are needed actually. But I guess that's a discussion between me and you for another time.

As for the instrument cluster, I didn't know it would be that hard to find. Yes you're right, a new one wouldn't make sense. So I'll be patient and continue searching! Thanks for clearing that up.

[DavidB8]

Haha that's true! Almost forgot about that. Can't wait for the kits to arrive! I also got the folding mirrors so I can do everything at the same time. Already started planning out the installation in my head for the past few weeks.

I spoke to my dealer about the programming of the keys and he said it will cost around $200 for both keys and I told him what you said about the keys being different but he said there's a chance I might be able to use my own keys. Not sure if new keys are needed actually. But I guess that's a discussion between me and you for another time.

As for the instrument cluster, I didn't know it would be that hard to find. Yes you're right, a new one wouldn't make sense. So I'll be patient and continue searching! Thanks for clearing that up.

I'm expecting everything here next week. Everything is in Canada in Transit, so I'm as excited as you are. Maybe on the keys, but hope for the best prepare for the worst.


OP. The catch with new gauges is you need a core to exchange and it has to be the same model. You can get a used set from eBay if your lucky and save about $300 with the exchange part but your still in for $800-1000 from the dealer.

[eclimax13]

bringing this back... why is it that you cant just simply replace the center display?

[NPuter]

bringing this back... why is it that you cant just simply replace the center display?

The display is built into the cluster and the interface for the red display is most likely completely different than the interface for the color display.

[audifirst]

bringing this back... why is it that you cant just simply replace the center display?

different board and display , there is no way to retrofit monochrome display into color one..

[Gunnark100]

HI, finally did you? is that possible, I have an a5 2011 2. with ugly red/white display
For a5 looks the color displays are:
-For PR-9Q4,9Q8
until 31.05.2010 8T0920931CX (replaces the C) combi-instrument; 280KM/H; petr. engine
after 31.05.2010 8T0920931LX (replaces the L) combi-instrument; 280KM/H; petr. engine
-For PR-9Q4,9Q8+; 8T4 (8T4 Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC))
until 31.05.2010 8T0920931FX (replaces the F) combi-instrument; 280KM/H; petr. engine
after 31.05.2010 8T0920931PX (replaces the P) combi-instrument; 280KM/H; petr. engine

So looks I need 8T0920931LX (or L) but 8T0920931PX is for cars with ACC (my car does not) so not sure that will work.

appreciate help

Yes its possible, not go with ACC one, if i remember from motortalk it may not work.


http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...r-dis-09-A4-B8

[The Infiltrator]

HI, finally did you? is that possible, I have an a5 2011 2. with ugly red/white display and PR-9Q7
For a5 looks the color displays are:
-For PR-9Q4,9Q8
until 31.05.2010 8T0920931CX (replaces the C) combi-instrument; 280KM/H; petr. engine
after 31.05.2010 8T0920931LX (replaces the L) combi-instrument; 280KM/H; petr. engine
-For PR-9Q4,9Q8+; 8T4 (8T4 Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC))
until 31.05.2010 8T0920931FX (replaces the F) combi-instrument; 280KM/H; petr. engine
after 31.05.2010 8T0920931PX (replaces the P) combi-instrument; 280KM/H; petr. engine

So looks I need 8T0920931LX (or L) but 8T0920931PX is for cars with ACC (my car does not) so not sure that will work.

appreciate help

Did you find one and change it out yet?

[The Infiltrator]

No, i don't it seems for my a5 2011 2.0t petrol is the 8T0920931LX (replaces the 8T0920931L) but I am not 100%. I found one with 50k km and my car is just 30k and do not know how to make them match. Did yours?

I'm working on finding out how now.
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...r-dis-09-A4-B8