996 TT oil level not working

[jpflip]

May be Loren can give us an answer about the mileage adjustment in case of cluster replacement. May be this info is registered by the ECU….Hope we will get an answer to that….

[Loren]

If the any cluster has more than 52 miles then then the mileage can not be reprogrammed with PST2, PIWIS, or PIWIS 2.

Perhaps an instrument shop (like Palo Alto Speedometer) can dfo that but a dealer or shop can not.

[binger]

9x6 done on our bench with our emulator box. We do legal mileage correction on any cluster. I am just showing you what we did on a 9X6. Sorry for the confusion.

IMG_2575.MOV

IMG_2578.MOV

IMG_2580.MOV

Edited December 8, 2014 by binger

[mat59]

9x6 done on our bench with our emulator box.

Hi, thanks but what do you mean by that?

[Qmulus]

I'm jumping into this a bit late, but I have now repaired a few 9x6 clusters with issues with the oil level sensor circuitry.  In my experience on these though the oil level test would generally generate faults and not run the level test (996T), or be very inaccurate.  That would usually be consistent.  There were difference on the symptoms on the dot matrix center LCD on cars with OBC clusters (like the 996T) or with the standard display (most 996 and 986).  I wouldn't doubt the issue is in the cluster, as that circuitry is particularly susceptible to problems resulting from jump starts, etc. 

 

Swapping in a used cluster that was properly prepared to test should not be an issue.  A normal 996 cluster can be coded to work in the 996T, so you don't have to worry about getting the exact one if you are going to test.  That said, if it were me I would just go through the cluster to verify functionality.  It would be less time consuming than sourcing and programming up another cluster for your car.

[Silver_TT]

great info, exactly what the OP needed to know....

[mat59]

I'm jumping into this a bit late, but I have now repaired a few 9x6 clusters with issues with the oil level sensor circuitry.  In my experience on these though the oil level test would generally generate faults and not run the level test (996T), or be very inaccurate.  That would usually be consistent.  There were difference on the symptoms on the dot matrix center LCD on cars with OBC clusters (like the 996T) or with the standard display (most 996 and 986).  I wouldn't doubt the issue is in the cluster, as that circuitry is particularly susceptible to problems resulting from jump starts, etc. 

 

Swapping in a used cluster that was properly prepared to test should not be an issue.  A normal 996 cluster can be coded to work in the 996T, so you don't have to worry about getting the exact one if you are going to test.  That said, if it were me I would just go through the cluster to verify functionality.  It would be less time consuming than sourcing and programming up another cluster for your car.

Many thanks,

I now have to find a replacement cluster, which is my next challenge. My cluster has the part number 9966412150470C. I'm trying to find a direct replacement with the same part number, however, this is proving difficult. I'm not sure how able my mechanic is to recode a non turbo cluster to provide turbo functionality. Does the exact same part number have to be used or are there any similar part numbers that can be swapped in? I'm wondering if all of the 996 clusters have the same connectors at the back. Is there a way of checking say if a cluster will work with my chassis number?

I've found a GT2 cluster that could be good as it's also in KM's rather than miles. As I'm in Dubai I want to get this right as shipping is expensive and takes quite a bit of time to get things here.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

[Silver_TT]

Have you tried any of the parts dismantlers?  Oklahoma Imports, LA Dismantlers, etc in the USA.... there are quite a few of them and I'm sure they would ship to Dubai if you pay for it.  I've bought good-as-new parts from these guys for 1/10th of the price.  It only make sense for certain parts but a cluster may be one of those.........

 

The compatibility question would be one for Loren but my guess is that I don't think a non-Turbo cluster will work on a Turbo.

[Loren]

Have you tried any of the parts dismantlers?  Oklahoma Imports, LA Dismantlers, etc in the USA.... there are quite a few of them and I'm sure they would ship to Dubai if you pay for it.  I've bought good-as-new parts from these guys for 1/10th of the price.  It only make sense for certain parts but a cluster may be one of those.........

 

The compatibility question would be one for Loren but my guess is that I don't think a non-Turbo cluster will work on a Turbo.

 

Correct - no boost gauge.

Plus 996 Carrera had the early cluster (My1998-2000), a one year cluster (MY2001), and then the "Turbo like" cluster (MY2002-2005).

[jpflip]

Your car is a 2001. The number you are posting is for a canadian car in kilometers….??? … There is one on Ebay for $400.00 but in MPH! http://www.ebay.com/itm/996-641-213-0470-C-PORSCHE-2002-911-TURBO-SPEEDOMETER-SPEEDO-CLUSTER-29674-Mile-/281524583179?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item418c2c3b0b&vxp=mtr. You can put the digital in kilometers per hour even if the analog is in mph...

Edited December 13, 2014 by jpflip

[Qmulus]

The hardware is the same on the different late 9x6 clusters (with dot matrix OBC), so you could theoretically put a 986 Boxster cluster in a turbo.  The problem is that proper cluster for your car will have the speed in km/hr, the correct speed range, the right color gauge faces, etc.  Each combination has its own part number.  The only one that will be an exact match for your car is that part number.  Others will work, but you will have to deal with whatever difference in display, etc. that cluster has.  The easiest solution from my point of view would be to fix the existing cluster.  Then there is no messing around.

 

Possibly the best solution is to get the main circuit board from another 996 cluster coded and configured as yours is, with zero'd odometer.  Then swap that circuit board with the problem board in your cluster and have the cluster matched.  The problem is that without having your cluster to pull the firmware from, it may be hit or miss if it is done exactly right remotely, but I think it would be pretty straightforward.  If that makes sense...  The factory tools will not do this, at least as far as I know.  My experience is with Autologic, Durametric and some other diagnostic and programming tools.  I haven't played with the factory tools, other than a PST2.

Edited December 13, 2014 by Qmulus

[Qmulus]

Your car is a 2001. The number you are posting is for a canadian car in kilometers….??? … There is one on Ebay for $400.00 but in MPH! http://www.ebay.com/itm/996-641-213-0470-C-PORSCHE-2002-911-TURBO-SPEEDOMETER-SPEEDO-CLUSTER-29674-Mile-/281524583179?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item418c2c3b0b&vxp=mtr. You can put the digital in kilometers per hour even if the analog is in mph...

 

Yes, that would be good.  Just code it for km, zero the odo, and swap the main board into your cluster.  You just need to remove a few torx screws, and undo three connectors to separate the main PCB from the front PCB that has the gauges.

 

Then sell me your old cluster! :)

 

Alternately, you could check ebay.de and see if you can find a turbo cluster that is already has the speedo in km.

Edited December 13, 2014 by Qmulus

[mat59]

Hi all,

Thanks again for all of your help. Qmulus, let me get this straight, if I find a a used cluster and have it sent to you are you offering to recode the main board to my car and then post it out to me (for a fee)? I can then sell you the 'broken' cluster that is in my car ?

[Qmulus]

Well, that wasn't actually my intent, but I do think I could handle that if you would like.  PM me and we can discuss.

[mat59]

Hi all,

Just to add to my joy, I now have another problem.

I've not yet sorted the oil level indicator problem but this will be sorted soon as I've found a cluster and I'm hoping to have it in the car soon. As this may take a while I collected the car today to bring it home until the cluster arrives. On the way home I noticed the oil pressure does not go above 3-3.5 under acceleration and sits at between 0-1 when idling. This is very concerning!

The engine has been dropped when the wiring was checked and put back in. The oil was changed when this happened. There are no visible oil leaks from the engine.

I'll be sending it back to the garage tomorrow. Any idea what's going on?

Thanks again,

Matt

[jpflip]

It can be the sender that failed often but my guess is one of the two wires going to it is loose….It is a small, gold in color, canister located just behind the oil filter housing….

Edited December 16, 2014 by jpflip

[mat59]

Thanks!

Will check this tomorrow. It couldn't be due to them putting too little oil in could it? By sender do you mean the oil pressure switch?

[Qmulus]

The thing is, if you have a bad connection the needles usually pegs, as the resistance of the sender goes up with pressure.  If the sender fails internally it could read low, but a poor connection will make it read high. 

 

There are two wires to the sender.  One is the gauge signal (variable resistance), the other is the oil pressure switch (on or off) for the low oil pressure warning.

[mat59]

Update:

Well, things just went from bad to worse. The replacement used cluster turned up in the post. Had my specialist fit it and take it to Porsche for coding and guess what? They say the replacement cluster is also damaged! This time the oil level does work but the speedo and rev counter don't. Bought it through ebay so should be able to get my money back on it. The hunt for another starts again.

My first reaction was that I thought this was very odd. The replacement cluster was the exact same part number so it's not to do with compatibility issues, I think?! The only thing I can think of is that although the part numbers are identical, my car is 2002 and the replacement cluster is from a 2005.

Any thoughts?

This has been an epic PITA. Car's been off the road more than it's been on it in the three months I've had it.

Edited January 20, 2015 by mat59

[richardc2cab]

Sounds like you have the same problem as me, if you trawl the web its almost 210% certainly the cluster when you have replaced the measurement unit, I would ideally like someone to repair my cluster as it can be done 

[richardc2cab]

If you search on google under "996 turbo instrument console oil level measurement" it throws up a few interesting posts

[richardc2cab]

Mat any news on your side ??

[Qmulus]

I repaired Matt's cluster, tested it in another 996T here, and it is now on its way back to Dubai.  Matt should have it back in the next few days.  It took a bit longer to turn around as I was on vacation when the local 996T was available to test it in, but it turned out well.  I don't like shipping things half way around the world without being able to test them completely.  I can test everything BUT the oil level circuitry in my '03 986 S, as that circuit is a bit different due to the different oiling system on the M96.

 

This does seem to be a common problem with the 986/996 clusters, at least the late ones.  His makes the fifth one that I have had to repair with the same issues in just the last few months.  The other cars were local, so I would imagine that this is a very common problem.

Edited April 2, 2015 by Qmulus

[mat59]

Hi all,

OP here. I can confirm that upon re-fitting the cluster today, it does indeed work faultlessly. May thanks to Qmulus for a great service. This should now be the 'go to' option for anyone with a faulty cluster. Much cheaper than a replacement cluster and you get to retain the correct mileage readout. I must stress that I had the two sensors checked and replaced and the wiring checked prior to getting the cluster fixed. Would thoroughly recommend Qmulus for cluster issues.

[mcbit500]

Did you also solve the oil pressure issue?