Broken Stem on Instrument Cluster

[rpoc]

I have a 2002 996 Tip, with broken stem on the instrument cluster. I have taken the cluster apart following all the posts and pictures, and looking at the stem, as it is attached to the instrument ribbon, I cannot see how the broken stem can be removed and replaced with another stem from another cluster. Any help would be appreciated.

Thx

[Tool Pants]

No help here. Did not get as far as you.

I was going to fix a 996 ebay cluster with a bent and a broken stem to use in my Boxster. But then I discovered the 996 cluster also had a bad middle LCD display.

By the way, the metal stem 996 clusters were 1999-2001. 2002 Porsche switched to plastic stems. So your pictures would not be of a 2002.

[rpoc]

No help here. Did not get as far as you.

I was going to fix a 996 ebay cluster with a bent and a broken stem to use in my Boxster. But then I discovered the 996 cluster also had a bad middle LCD display.

By the way, the metal stem 996 clusters were 1999-2001. 2002 Porsche switched to plastic stems. So your pictures would not be of a 2002.

Are the plastic stems in the 2002 and newer 996 clusters also part of a switch that is soldered to a ribbon, if so, then there is a big difference between a Boxter cluster and a 996 cluster. The posts I have seen here, suggest that the stems are easily interchangeable, and that the hard part was finding a donor cluster. Is de-soldering the switch off the ribbon something that can be done at home?

Again, thank you for the reply.

[Tool Pants]

On a cluster with plastic stems the stems are easy to swap, if you can find a stem from a donor that is not broken. The end of the stem fits into a switch, but the stem is not part of the switch like it is in a metal stem cluster. So, this is a different design then a metal stem cluster.

I did not try to remove the metal shaft switch from the board. As stated, my cluster turned out to also have a bad LCD display so there was no point in trying to replace the switch.

[lfe]

Hi All

I too have one of these plastic stalks broken. I cannot believe Porsche does not sell them seperately. I too was going to go the e-bay route, and buy a broken cluster to harvest one of these.

Anyone have any idea where to get one for less than the cost of a used instrument cluster.

Thanks in advance

[2Brak]

I realize it stinks that you need to replace the whole cluster but they are only about $225.

[Tool Pants]

If you have the broken end of the shaft you might try to pin them together.

Might also ask the mechanics at your dealership if they have been saving them from warranty replaced instrument clusters.