Instrument cluster woes
 

I have tried to learn if the instrument cluster can be swapped out, and the mileage etc recoded in the replacement cluster? Or is this only possible on FL?
I read in other threads here, but I'm not any wiser.

The LCD screen is of no help as it is. The text shown in the photo is the only display I can make sense of. As I drive, it goes black. Then it flashes something once in a while. But there is no way I can guess what it is displaying.

So my question is. Would it be possible to buy this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-S8-D2...e0277#viTabs_0
and reprogram it with the info from my car?
My other option might be to have some specialist to physically swap the screens between the clusters.

Any thoughts or advice on this?

I've only had dealings with the FL cluster, but there is a comment on the eBay listing which is helpful:

Pre Facelift Clusters work without the need for any immobiliser recoding

From what I've read about replacing the clusters, the FL clusters have the immobiliser built into them, making a swap more difficult. With the PF, the immobiliser is separate, so you don't have that problem. If I understand that correctly, that would mean you don't have to get the keys recoded to the replacement cluster. I'm sure I've also read somewhere (maybe not on this forum) that you can change the mileage on the PF a lot easier.

There are others on here who can confirm if this is correct or not.

If you don't want to bother about changing the mileage, what you could do is contact A8parts and ask them if they have any other PF clusters with mileages roughly around what yours is. I did this with mine and kept it until my actual mileage was within a 1,000 mile and then got it changed.

Thank you
I didn't notice the comment, because I didn't scroll down far enough. It's a relief I won't have problems with the immobiliser :)

That's right, you can just swap the cluster and car will work just fine for PF car.
The cluster you linked is in mph so you should ask them if they have any with kph dial faces or get one from ebay.de Swapping dial faces is a possibility but fiddly job with potential to break something so I would get cluster that's already in kph.
Coding and adaption channels like the engine, region, distance and time left till next service can be read and entered in replacement cluster with VCDS or similar tool
Mileage change is a bit trickier as not officially supported by Audi but there are couple of aftermarket tools that should be able to do it or you could re-solder the EEPROM chip from old cluster.

I have Super VAG tool like this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUPER-VAG-...cAAOSw~y9ZB61I which is supposed to be able to do mileage correction. I used it to retrieve PIN for my 1997 S8 and 2000 A6 so that I can code extra keys and immobiliser chips for remote start. I have the PIN numbers now for use in future and don't use tool for anything else so I am considering selling it if somebody is interested.

Thank you. I am happy it is possible to swap the cluster. A lot easier than having it rebuilt.
At first I thought the mph doesn't bother me as the dial show kmh as well. But on second thought, I realise that the mileage will be in miles, not kilometers.

Thing is, the clusters I can get here in Sweden cost a lot more. Like £180.
Doesn't look like there is much to choose from the german ebay, just A8.

I think all clusters store mileage in km but will display it in either km or m depending on coding or adaption.
And it's always worth e-mail or phone call to A8 Parts to see if they have one with km/h in stock.

I see. You have really been of great help, thank you :)
And I see the e-mail is on the forum header, cool!
I will do as you suggest and send them an e-mail this weekend.

Without buying new there is no guarantee that any used cluster will not have the same problem. The DIS LCD screen failure is a very common one and given the age of these cars now then chances are that the fault may exist on any used cluster.

You can buy the LCD panels new, and its not difficult to swap them over if you are good with a soldering iron.

There is a place in the UK that can fix the dial units and sort out the dot matrix problems

I am not sure how good I am with a soldering iron. It is worth considering, as I was trained to do it well in the Navy. But that was 30 years ago.