Porsche 911 996 instrument cluster

[bjcarrera]

I need help. I attempted to install aluminum rings on my cluster gauge. I was using the supplied super glue and got glue on the plastic lenses. I tried to remove the super glue from the lens and made things worst, now the lens is scratched and has glue on it.

Is there anyway I can purchase the instrument cluster cover without having to buy the whole instrument gauge cluster? If so, does anyone have a part number?

Or, does anyone know how I can get the glue and scratched off the plastic lens? :cursing:

Edited December 10, 2006 by bjcarrera

[wross996TT]

I need help. I attempted to install aluminum rings on my cluster gauge. I was using the supplied super glue and got glue on the plastic lenses. I tried to remove the super glue from the lens and made things worst, now the lens is scratched and has glue on it.

Is there anyway I can purchase the instrument cluster cover without having to buy the whole instrument gauge cluster? If so, does anyone have a part number?

Or, does anyone know how I can get the glue and scratched off the plastic lens? :cursing:

Unfortunately I think you are out of luck...you'll have to buy the cluster (perhaps you can get one used?). Also there is no way to get that glue off. Most folks use a removable silicone adhesive. I used UHU Tac.

Edited December 10, 2006 by wross996TT

[bjcarrera]

I need help. I attempted to install aluminum rings on my cluster gauge. I was using the supplied super glue and got glue on the plastic lenses. I tried to remove the super glue from the lens and made things worst, now the lens is scratched and has glue on it.

Is there anyway I can purchase the instrument cluster cover without having to buy the whole instrument gauge cluster? If so, does anyone have a part number?

Or, does anyone know how I can get the glue and scratched off the plastic lens? :cursing:

Unfortunately I think you are out of luck...you'll have to buy the cluster (perhaps you can get one used?). Also there is no way to get that glue off. Most folks use a removable silicone adhesive. I used UHU Tac.

Shoot . . . I thought someone would say that. One other question and sorry if this is an obvious one. I assume my cars computer retains all the mileage, ECT... and if I plug in a new or users instrument cluster the instrument cluster will just bring up my cars mileage?

[bjcarrera]

If I can to pursche a new/used cluster; my car is a 2001, what are the years that are compatable. How far back can I go and how new, example: if I found a 1999 or a 2004 would they work with my car?

[Tool Pants]

You are not the first. Every few months someone on the message boards had the glue run onto the clear plastic lense. Do you really get a tube of runny superglue? When these rings came out years ago people were using silicon.

Porsche does not sell the cover and the last time I checked VDO did not sell parts. Your best bet is to find a defective cluster and swap the cover. 1999-2001 are the same. 2002-2004 are different.

The mileage is in the cluster. If you put a used cluster in your car and that used cluster has XYZ miles, then you will see XYZ miles when you turn on the ignition. There are companies, however, that can reset the cluster to any miles you specify. But if you find a used defective cluster for cheap, then you just swap the face and nothing has changed.

[bjcarrera]

Does anyone know if the cluster overlay from a 2003 work on my 2001 instrument cluster? I was able to find the overlay (plastic lens piece, one like the picture above) off of a 2003 cluster. I am wondering if this cover will fit my 2001, I just need to replace the cover. THANKS

[fastboydave]

Does anyone know if the cluster overlay from a 2003 work on my 2001 instrument cluster? I was able to find the overlay (plastic lens piece, one like the picture above) off of a 2003 cluster. I am wondering if this cover will fit my 2001, I just need to replace the cover. THANKS

I guess it should, surely they must be the same, it would be ridiculous to change that?? Funnily enough, i too have recently purchased the silver overlays. I used (unlike most using clear silicon) high tack/impact double sided tape. It gives you more control as you can put the strips in as many places as you like on the inside of the overlays, then position them just over the dials and go for it! Press into possition and your laughing. OK, the high impact will need a little coaxing to get off again, but surely better than any type of gluey runny mess that is difficult to contol/clean??

Good luck with them, i can sympathise.....

[specialist]

I need help. I attempted to install aluminum rings on my cluster gauge. I was using the supplied super glue and got glue on the plastic lenses. I tried to remove the super glue from the lens and made things worst, now the lens is scratched and has glue on it.

Is there anyway I can purchase the instrument cluster cover without having to buy the whole instrument gauge cluster? If so, does anyone have a part number?

Or, does anyone know how I can get the glue and scratched off the plastic lens? :cursing:

BJCarrera,

It is possible to polish plastic, but it takes a lot of patience and, to be honest, I'm not sure that you would want to try to polish out something that you are looking through because the fine scratches will probably always be there. I know that several companies make kits to polish out the plastic headlight assembly covers. One place ( http://www.properautocare.com/blbapllepoki.html ) carries a full kit to remove yellowing and polish out scratches from the lenses. I used this kit with a corded drill to polish out the inside and outside of the headlight assemblies on my SC400 when I retrofitted the Porsche Bi-xenon projector assemblies. It took a couple of days and some good blisters from the wet sanding phase, but I couldn't be happier with the results. This kit may help you with this problem. I can email some photos if you want to see what I'm talking about. I don't know what the other forum member's experiences have been with them in the past, though.

Specialist

[bjcarrera]

I need help. I attempted to install aluminum rings on my cluster gauge. I was using the supplied super glue and got glue on the plastic lenses. I tried to remove the super glue from the lens and made things worst, now the lens is scratched and has glue on it.

Is there anyway I can purchase the instrument cluster cover without having to buy the whole instrument gauge cluster? If so, does anyone have a part number?

Or, does anyone know how I can get the glue and scratched off the plastic lens? :cursing:

BJCarrera,

It is possible to polish plastic, but it takes a lot of patience and, to be honest, I'm not sure that you would want to try to polish out something that you are looking through because the fine scratches will probably always be there. I know that several companies make kits to polish out the plastic headlight assembly covers. One place ( http://www.properautocare.com/blbapllepoki.html ) carries a full kit to remove yellowing and polish out scratches from the lenses. I used this kit with a corded drill to polish out the inside and outside of the headlight assemblies on my SC400 when I retrofitted the Porsche Bi-xenon projector assemblies. It took a couple of days and some good blisters from the wet sanding phase, but I couldn't be happier with the results. This kit may help you with this problem. I can email some photos if you want to see what I'm talking about. I don't know what the other forum member's experiences have been with them in the past, though.

Specialist

Thank you- I really appreciate the help. I hate to buy a whole cluster if all I need is the overlay.