Cluster wont catch miles

[juan.manjarres]

Hey guys, I need some help. Yesterday I installed a cluster a friend gave me because the lcd on the original was shot. So I installed the new one. The car is said to have around 190k miles, this new cluster has 119k miles. So I ran the cluster code to consolidate the mileage so that it gets the higher mileage so that I can know my original miles and it wont do anything. I first hold the reset button and turn the key to the first step. I go to test 15 and hold untill it shows off. Then I go to test 9 and hold it there and it just shows me --------. I need help guys hopefully someone that can help me make this work, Thanks guys I really appreciate any help.

[juan.manjarres]

anyone?

[J!m]

a new cluster needs to be coded to the car.

I am surprised it doesn't show the TMU light, but you can try this in stead:

On the back of the 'new' cluster, there is a protruding bump. Pry this off the back (there is an arrow indicating where the screwdriver can open it) and expose the coding plug.

Pull the coding plug from your old cluster, and install it into the new cluster.

Install new cluster. TMU light will likely be on, but possibly not. It depends on how many miles you have driven on the cluster after you installed it. If you drove no miles, it should be fine. If you drove any miles (more than one) it will likely light up the little light above the mileage display.

I would not have messed around with the cluster coding, as it is unreliable at best, as you have found out. It really needs to be coded by the dealer; the cluster test functions are very limited, although I have heard that the mileage can be corrected to the higher reading (so in your case the cluster mileage would be sent to the DME as it is higher, right?).

Change the coding plug.

Good luck!

[juan.manjarres]

Oddly enough I did this last night only to find out that it didnt make a difference. I installed the old chip and the new cluster and it still shwoed the 119k on the odometer. I also did the test 15 to off and test 9 for 4 secs and nothing. With neither chips the manipulation dot has not gone off. Im beggining to think to just leave it like this.

[J!m]

It sounds like you sent the high mileage to the DME, and that is the new 'correct' mileage.

If the light is not on, I'd just leave it as-is and be happy it is working again!

[juan.manjarres]

I guess. It actually kept the low mileage. When I bought it the guy told me it had around 190k miles on it. Me wanting to know reality I got this cluster. I saw that it had to be a cluster with lower mileage and I installed it and now it just shows the lower mileage, which now I guess I can hope to live with. I just hate it because now the title of the vehicle says 190k and the odometer shows 120k. Oh well atleast I can track miles now for service and my service lights work. If the manipulation dot has not gone on, will it come on with time or will it stay like this?

[J!m]

Typically, it comes on instantly, so if it's not on, it should remain out for you.

The title will match soon enough! If you sell it, you can say you didn't drive it much for a while...