Instrument Cluster issue on 996 4S mod 2004

[liberatod]

Hi all,

I had an issue yesterday on my car where I noticed that the instrument cluster did not show the speed on the small display on the left. I checked several times and didn’t find anything broken excepted the clock knob when I removed the instrument cluster.

I noticed leds soldered on the motherboard when I opened the Instrument cluster but no bulbs like the previous 996 models.

Any suggestion on how to resolve this issue and get it fixed?

Do you think Porsche will replace the instrument cluster under warranty?

I just renew the warranty at my Porsche dealer 3 weeks ago!

Thanks

Liberato

[Loren]

Double check that all of teh connectors are firmly locked in place on cluster.

[liberatod]

Double check that all of teh connectors are firmly locked in place on cluster.

Hi Loren,

I appreciate your quick response.

I checked the three connectors in the back of the Cluster (Gray, Blue and Green connectors and both are firmly locked).

I also checked all connectors on the mother-board of the Instrument cluster and didn't find anything.

I really suspect that the motherboard is passed away.

I will check tomorrow with my Porsche dealer and will let you know.

Edited June 1, 2008 by liberatod

[Loren]

This isn't a replacement cluster is it?

If so, it may not be programmed correctly.

[liberatod]

This isn't a replacement cluster is it?

If so, it may not be programmed correctly.

This is the original instrument cluster. It has never been replaced in the past.

[Loren]

Well then, it is likely bad. Sorry.

[liberatod]

Well then, it is likely bad. Sorry.

Hi Loren,

Do you know which of the three cables contain the signal for the speed?

I have been told by a friend that could be the optical connection....

I escalated the issue to my Porsche dealer and now I need to wait 1-2 weeks to get the instrument cluster replaced under warranty. However I requested to have the model with the white dials and they responded that it was not possible because an exchange needed to be done with the exact part-number.

Liberato

[Loren]

B13 (blue connector) is the speedometer signal.

Too my knowledge there are no optical connections on the instrument cluster - optical is only used for the audio system network (MOST).

[tholyoak]

Actually Loren, the B13 is the Speedometer A signal which is the speed signal FROM the cluster TO other units that use this signal. Most obvious is the speed dependent volume on the radio. The later clusters get the speed signal from the ABS controller via the CAN bus network.

-Todd

[liberatod]

Hi Loren,

I was able to find the root cause of the problem; in fact the issue was a small rectangular part responsible to transmit the signal to the display. Talking with Birba Racing Company (www.birba.com) worldwide leader on Dials for Porsche, they told me that this plastic part in reality is a fiber....

I have also become now a specialist on dismount Instrument Cluster and change dials.

Should anybody from this forum need dials in miles for North America, please contact directly:

BIRBA RACING

Gianfranco Benevento

www.birba.com

Tel. 0039 081 8371557

Fax 0039 081 8371595

Edited June 15, 2008 by liberatod