Can this be fixed or do I have to replace the entire cluster

[monkeydust]

I have some sort of blotch in the mileage readout on my instrument cluster. I hear this sort of thing is somewhat common. Is this something that can be fixed or do I have to replace the entire instrument cluster?

[CJ_Boxster]

You can probably get away with replacing just the mph gauge itself.. Try looking for damaged clusters and use the mph gauge out of it.

[Tool Pants]

It is garbage. Give it to me....

5 years ago I bought a "new" 996 cluster from ebay for my Boxster so I could have the 2 additional gauges. Turned out it was a "used" cluster with a defective middle LCD display, so I did not put the 996 cluster into my Boxster. Not into electronics, but back then people said that LCDs can bleed, or something like that. In my case not all the 996 cluster segments would light up for the middle display.

The air con control unit LCD display also has problems, but you can now buy a new air con LCD from ebay that is a close fit. Nothing to do with your instrument cluster, just an example.

Back then (5 years ago) I contacted several speedo repair shops and they could not get any repair parts for the VDO electronic clusters. This might have changed in the past 5 years. http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...20&start=20 Funny thing is, kbliew in the link, with the broken tach motor, had it replaced by Palo Alto Speedo shop 2 months ago. That was one of the shops I contacted 5 years ago that told me they could not get instrument cluster parts. So maybe parts are now on the market to fix your LCD display. Or, the shop had a used cluster that was used for parts.

Or, you can give me your cluster so I can canabalize it for parts....

The picture below is that 996 ebay cluster that I ended up taking apart to see if I could get the middle display to work properly.

I note from your picture that the OBC has not been turned on, but this has nothing to do with your question or the fact you have what looks like a defective left LCD display.

[monkeydust]

So maybe parts are now on the market to fix your LCD display. Or, the shop had a used cluster that was used for parts.

Well, maybe somebody on here would have more info on that.

Or, you can give me your cluster so I can canabalize it for parts....

Then I would have no cluster. :(

But, I see you have a mileage readout that isn't being put to good use that I could help you out with. ;)

I note from your picture that the OBC has not been turned on, but this has nothing to do with your question or the fact you have what looks like a defective left LCD display.

Because I didn't know anything about that. I'm taking it into the dealership on Friday to get a couple of new tires put on. I'll ask if they can enable the OBC while I am there and then maybe I can go on and do the singe switch hack that i saw on the web this morning at a later date.

[monkeydust]

Hey, are the LCD instruments soldered on or do they just plug in? Curious as to if I find a mileage LCD if I will be able to just unplug mine from the cluster and plug a replacement in.

[monkeydust]

Ok, I took my cluster out today and took everything apart. Now I can tell there is no way to fix the LCD screen. It is like the black part in there just got rubbed off or something. The LCD screen is connected via a ribbon that is stuck onto it (not sure how exactly but it is not detachable). But, I now know my only recourse it to replace the cluster. :(

I guess I'll just have to watch ebay for a cluster for sale. Then I need to figure out what I'm supposed to do with the mileage changing if I replace my cluster.

Edited September 22, 2007 by monkeydust

[monkeydust]

Well, good thing I need to get a new cluster because, for the life of me, I can't get my gauges to work anymore. I've pulled the thing apart and put it back together several times and I can't get the speedometer, tachometer, and gas gauge to work anymore! All of the LED stuff is working but that's it. I don't know what the hell I did but it wasn't good! :oops: