Instrument cluster - how do I code a new one

[Goran]

It looks like I will need a RHD instrument cluster with a mile-speedo to be able to register the car in the UK.
Looking at a few threads I see that the facelift insturment cluster carries an imobiliser and has to be coded to the keys?
Does anyone know how to do this using VCDS?

Othe alternative I was thinking of, can the speedo dial be detached from a RHD instrument cluster and re-attached to my instrument cluster? Are the dials glued in or can the be unbloted?

[71camaro]

Could you just use an American/Canadian cluster in MPH?

[Adrian E]

Ideally you want mph and kmh if you intend taking it back to Germany at any stage (or anywhere else in Europe, obviously!) so clock swap would be easiest option

I'm not sure on the ins and outs of the options - I would expect you could transplant just the speedo into your existing cluster, but not sure how coding could be done.

It MIGHT be easier to swap the whole cluster and as a nice touch you'll have a miles odometer which if done properly you can have 'corrected' to show the current kilometer-age in miles so it all looks correct. Best to get that done professionally so it's fully documented and also as you can then produce an invoice to DVLA if required. I doubt they'll want to see it.

Adding a fog light to the offside is about the only thing I can think of that you'll need for MOT, so probably easiest to add another light so you have 2 or buy a used set of inner lights and wire accordingly. Not sure how easy it is to swap the wiring round?

[71camaro]

I don't recall all that's needed electronically for a cluster swap, but it is beyond VAG-com as I recall. Ring up someone like Revo or whoever does chip-tuning in the UK. Most of them should have the answers.

[Goran]

Thanks, yes it sounds like a good idea to get it done professionally. I'll get hold of a UK cluster and go to MRC or maybe even the local dealer to get it coded.
Found some VCDS instructions, looks like I need the immo-ID from both the original and replacement cluster, so best to go to someone who knows how to extract them.

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index...rument_Cluster)

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by Adrian E

Adding a fog light to the offside is about the only thing I can think of that you'll need for MOT, so probably easiest to add another light so you have 2 or buy a used set of inner lights and wire accordingly. Not sure how easy it is to swap the wiring round?

The wiring is all there and "live" with the connectors tidily "parked", you just need the bulbholder and bulb (and to punch out a flimsy blanking plate) to get a 2nd fog light.
The only thing I've noticed is that the beam pattern on the 2nd one (obviously nearside for me) isn't as good. I do wonder if there are different lens mouldings for LHD and RHD rear clusters.
To make sure just take the cover off in the boot lid and have a look.

[71camaro]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

The wiring is all there and "live" with the connectors tidily "parked", you just need the bulbholder and bulb (and to punch out a flimsy blanking plate) to get a 2nd fog light.
The only thing I've noticed is that the beam pattern on the 2nd one (obviously nearside for me) isn't as good. I do wonder if there are different lens mouldings for LHD and RHD rear clusters.
To make sure just take the cover off in the boot lid and have a look.

There's a reflector in one that isn't found in the other. (I just had a set of rear lamps I chopped up for an LED project)

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by 71camaro

There's a reflector in one that isn't found in the other.

Interesting, I looked for something like that but didn't spot it.
Is it something you could make yourself and slot in, out of aluminium foil for example?

[Adrian E]

I imagine a 2nd hand inner lens unit from a RHD car would cost buttons - bulb holder etc all present and correct and just put the wiring where needed

[Goran]

Thanks guys! sounds fairly straight forward, I'll have a look tonight.