B8 S4 Cluster (red) to B8 S4 cluster (color) swap

**Ford Prefect** · 02-27-2017 06:37 PM

I'm looking to swap my gauge cluster to rid myself of the red center display, I can't read that thing at night and it's just subpar. I have done a bit of searching and have seen major upgrades to B8.5 with trim and even to S5, all more complicated than I want.

Mine is direct, B8 to B8 both S4 gauges. Guessing I need to have CP removed at least, but is there anything else? I have read that maybe the column stalks might need to be updated, can anyone confirm? Vagcom settings maybe?

Two more questions, can I replace the smaller non Nav display without upgrading to the full MMI? Lastly, anyone have the vagcom codes to make the white number climate controls work in place of the red number? I will be doing the full MII 3G+ later this year, just want to play a little in the mean time with the cluster, climate, and 7" display screen.

Thanks in advance. oh, and mileage is within a few thousand so I'm not worried about that.

**avantagg** · 02-28-2017 04:03 AM

Rich, there's a thread floating around here on how to update that cluster to color. You will need new wheel stalks to enable the new dash/display functions. I'll see if I can find it.

Here's a link to the coding for climate swap: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...1#post11972244

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**avantagg** · 02-28-2017 04:11 AM

Here's the link to color display retrofit: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...1#post11851028

**stereojorge** · 02-28-2017 04:56 AM

I personally had this done with a cluster I found on eBay then I had Tom over at SpeedoSolutions do all the programming/Immobilizer work needed! http://www.speedosolutions.com

http://www.speedosolutions.com/Audi-...ding_p_90.html

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**Ford Prefect** · 02-28-2017 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by avantagg

Here's the link to color display retrofit: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...1#post11851028

Thanks! I did find this thread but wasn't completely sure on the stalks, seems most the threads are doing the complete swap. I'd like to jump in just not head first since I've only had the car for about a month. Just keeps getting deeper to make these somewhat subtle changes, too. Guess I need to find those now, starting with finding the part number.

**Ford Prefect** · 02-28-2017 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by stereojorge

I personally had this done with a cluster I found on eBay then I had Tom over at SpeedoSolutions do all the programming/Immobilizer work needed! http://www.speedosolutions.com

http://www.speedosolutions.com/Audi-...ding_p_90.html

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Guessing you're local to them? I found them and they appear to be selling CP removal online, says to call them. Not sure how they could do that remotely. Guess I'll need to do everything together to prevent more than one charge for CP removal.

**stereojorge** · 02-28-2017 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

Guessing you're local to them? I found them and they appear to be selling CP removal online, says to call them. Not sure how they could do that remotely. Guess I'll need to do everything together to prevent more than one charge for CP removal.

I actually lucked out and the gentleman Tom was vacationing minutes away with his family in Florida, so we had a garage day!

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**elscotto80** · 02-28-2017 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

Guessing you're local to them? I found them and they appear to be selling CP removal online, says to call them. Not sure how they could do that remotely. Guess I'll need to do everything together to prevent more than one charge for CP removal.

I did the same swap on my A4. I found a cluster, shipped to Tom and told him the mileage I needed. Set it to a figure greater than what my car was and swapped it in once my car reached that figure. I then went to the dealership to remove CP. I also added the stalk with additional buttons. Couple vagcom changes and all done.

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**Zach L** · 03-05-2017 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by elscotto80

I did the same swap on my A4. I found a cluster, shipped to Tom and told him the mileage I needed. Set it to a figure greater than what my car was and swapped it in once my car reached that figure. I then went to the dealership to remove CP. I also added the stalk with additional buttons. Couple vagcom changes and all done.

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So you have the color display working with either Concert or Symphony radio? Everyone I've seen convert from red to color so far has the MMI navigation system so I figured MMI might be a requirement for it to work. If it's possible, I have VCDS and could do the coding found in the MMI retrofit thread. What radio do you have in your dash?

If so, how much did Tom and the dealership charge for those services? Thanks!

**Ford Prefect** · 03-05-2017 05:01 PM

+1 for the questions above. I am doing the MMI swap but wanted to change the gauges first.

**stereojorge** · 03-05-2017 07:33 PM

I did JUST color DIS cluster swap while still having Audi Concert on my old B8

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**Ford Prefect** · 03-28-2017 07:44 AM

Originally Posted by stereojorge

I did JUST color DIS cluster swap while still having Audi Concert on my old B8

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Was just playing around this morning and put the gauges in, secretly hoping CP was a myth. Want to verify since indeed it went into safe mode. What I saw was that nothing worked, tach, speedo, back lights. It showed the mileage and red "safe" above. The warning lights did light, but agin no back light. Just want to make sure that is what safe mode does (doesn't seem very safe) before wasting $130 bucks at Audi.

Thanks in advance.

**stereojorge** · 03-28-2017 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

Was just playing around this morning and put the gauges in, secretly hoping CP was a myth. Want to verify since indeed it went into safe mode. What I saw was that nothing worked, tach, speedo, back lights. It showed the mileage and red "safe" above. The warning lights did light, but agin no back light. Just want to make sure that is what safe mode does (doesn't seem very safe) before wasting $130 bucks at Audi.

Thanks in advance.

Yes sir!

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**Ford Prefect** · 03-28-2017 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by stereojorge

Yes sir!

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With lightning quickness! Thanks for the fast response!

**Zach L** · 06-07-2017 05:52 PM

No more red in my 2010 A4. Swapped in a color DIS cluster and B8.5 climate control while still having Audi Concert radio. Will probably upgrade later to MMI 3G+ or just the B8.5 Audi Concert (to have matching silver knob and gloss black inlay).

**Ford Prefect** · 06-26-2017 05:18 AM

Originally Posted by Zach L

No more red in my 2010 A4. Swapped in a color DIS cluster and B8.5 climate control while still having Audi Concert radio. Will probably upgrade later to MMI 3G+ or just the B8.5 Audi Concert (to have matching silver knob and gloss black inlay).

Nice!

How much component protection removal for you? Did the shop understand what you wanted the first time?

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**Zach L** · 06-26-2017 06:16 AM

A typical shop can't do component protection removal. It was the local dealership.

I did the climate control install and coding for that right before I brought it in because it won't blow air until component protection is removed.

They scheduled me for a day when their most senior technician was there. I assured them they wouldn't need to code anything, but they said they'd have to do coding. They insisted I bring the original parts in with me, so I did. That's not necessary either but whatever.

I got the car back and everything works, but I did have to recode the modifications I had done previously to the central electronics module like the needle sweep, remote windows, etc. They messed with more than they should have but everything is working well now. Although I think it probably took them longer, they only charged me for an hour of labor.

**Ford Prefect** · 06-26-2017 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by Zach L

A typical shop can't do component protection removal. It was the local dealership.

I did the climate control install and coding for that right before I brought it in because it won't blow air until component protection is removed.

They scheduled me for a day when their most senior technician was there. I assured them they wouldn't need to code anything, but they said they'd have to do coding. They insisted I bring the original parts in with me, so I did. That's not necessary either but whatever.

I got the car back and everything works, but I did have to recode the modifications I had done previously to the central electronics module like the needle sweep, remote windows, etc. They messed with more than they should have but everything is working well now. Although I think it probably took them longer, they only charged me for an hour of labor.

Thanks. I meant dealership. I called one and they were thoroughly confused on what I was asking. Everything I've read has said about an hour.

I want to make the same change as you, have the stuff. I also have whole MMI 3G+ minus the fakra cables. Torn of if having CP removed twice is worth it.

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**Zach L** · 06-26-2017 08:50 AM

I honestly would start with something simple that they perceive as easy, especially if you're getting push back and confusion from them. It might be worth an extra hour ($140) versus them not doing it at all.

It also will help if you have some kind of a relationship or even just your name already in their service database. I do all my own maintenance/repairs, but I had gone to this dealership one time in the past for a pre-80,000 mile oil change (I thought it would help with oil consumption warranty if I ever needed it). So when I called the service advisor I think it helped that he could bring me up in their system and not think I'm just some random guy trying to pull something on them. Service advisors are actually really ignorant with technical know-how and understanding, and 90% of technicians can't think outside of what the computers tell them exactly to do.

These type of jobs are odd balls and not money makers. From a business standpoint they don't make sense, so I'd kiss ass and make them want to help you.

**melomandn** · 07-04-2017 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by stereojorge

I personally had this done with a cluster I found on eBay then I had Tom over at SpeedoSolutions do all the programming/Immobilizer work needed! http://www.speedosolutions.com

http://www.speedosolutions.com/Audi-...ding_p_90.html

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Just wanted to give a shoutout for that link! I've been looking for someone to do an immobilizer defeat and hadn't heard of speedosolutions before.

Going to give him a call tomorrow