Carrera Gauge Swap

[Cloudsurfer]

Aside from swapping EPROMs/ circuit boards, etc on these things, swapping a 986 to 996 cluster is not a big deal at all if you have access to a PST2 or PIWIS.

I guess what you did here is FAR more involved, since you started with a damaged 996 cluster, but all this work is not necessary if the 996 cluster you want to install is good, as all you have to do is code it to the car with the PST2/ PIWIS. This is also how you program the 996 cluster to be a C2 (vs C4) for proper fuel level calibration, and how you get the convertible top light to work (coded as C2 Cabrio).

The only thing you cannot do is re-code the mileage (this only works with a new cluster that has under 60 miles on it). Supposedly Palo Alto Speedometer can re-code the mileage, but I haven't tried this.

[KevinH1990]

You are correct.

The advantage to this method is reduced cost. I paid $155 for my damaged 996 cluster. The article on the Pelican website said that a good used cluster would cost $500. I expect that a new cluster would be over $1000.

Palo Alto will reprogram the mileage, but I think their price is $200. Add the cost of two-way shipping and your total cost would probably be closer to $250. If you have any other programming issues, most people would have to pay a shop for access to a PIWIS or PST2 so add the cost of to at least an hour of labor for that.

On the other side of the ledger, I did have to buy an EPROM programmer and clip. I was able to sell it on to another board member at a slight discount, so the net cost was only $25.

This was more or less an impulse project for me, and I don't think I would have done it if I couldn't keep the cost down. I also admit to a bit of thrill when I got it to work.

[Cloudsurfer]

Originally Posted by KevinH1990

You are correct.

The advantage to this method is reduced cost. I paid $155 for my damaged 996 cluster. The article on the Pelican website said that a good used cluster would cost $500. I expect that a new cluster would be over $1000.

Palo Alto will reprogram the mileage, but I think their price is $200. Add the cost of two-way shipping and your total cost would probably be closer to $250. If you have any other programming issues, most people would have to pay a shop for access to a PIWIS or PST2 so add the cost of to at least an hour of labor for that.

On the other side of the ledger, I did have to buy an EPROM programmer and clip. I was able to sell it on to another board member at a slight discount, so the net cost was only $25.

This was more or less an impulse project for me, and I don't think I would have done it if I couldn't keep the cost down. I also admit to a bit of thrill when I got it to work.

I see your point, and can especially appreciate the satisfaction when you get things to work

I happen to have a PIWIS, so the coding part for me isn't a big deal, but I am curious if doing this via the EPROM route also yields the correct mileage in the new cluster?

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by Cloudsurfer

I am curious if doing this via the EPROM route also yields the correct mileage in the new cluster?

Yes - See post 13 on page 1 of this thread . You can copy the encrypted mileage from the Boxster cluster and insert it in the code for the Carrera cluster. The example in post 13 is for the "old-style" clusters that were in the 97-00 cars. The process for the 01-04 cars is a little more involved. Send me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll send you the instructions.

I imagine that the folks at Palo Alto Speedometer have discovered the key to the encryption process and that allows them to insert any mileage they want in the cluster.

[Cloudsurfer]

Originally Posted by KevinH1990

Yes - See post 13 on page 1 of this thread . You can copy the encrypted mileage from the Boxster cluster and insert it in the code for the Carrera cluster. The example in post 13 is for the "old-style" clusters that were in the 97-00 cars. The process for the 01-04 cars is a little more involved. Send me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll send you the instructions.

I imagine that the folks at Palo Alto Speedometer have discovered the key to the encryption process and that allows them to insert any mileage they want in the cluster.

That would make sense. I always figured that the folks who advertise being able to do this had reverse engineered the EPROM bit.

[gavinyuill]

Originally Posted by KevinH1990

I imagine that the folks at Palo Alto Speedometer have discovered the key to the encryption process and that allows them to insert any mileage they want in the cluster.

I can do this as well if needed, but don't want a load of dodgy low mileage cars on the road

[Benjamin]

Here are my recollections from 2 years ago when I did this mod. As a reminder, I had a perfectly working 986 cluster and purchased a 996 cluster with a bad LCD. I kept my 986 motherboard, so my mileage, VIN, and fuel gauge calibration stayed. There were two bits that I needed to change in order to enable the voltmeter and oil pressure gauges.

I tried to buy a less-expensive programmer, but in the end couldn't get it to work and bought the GQ.

I seem to remember the warning light layout had some differences between the two clusters. I'd have to dig through my pile to find the Carrera version and see what is different. I ended up putting the Boxster warning light template on the Carrera cluster.

Everything seems to work perfectly for me. I like to tinker and I don't like to pay dealers, so I saved money and learned a lot.

Benjamin

[Reebuck1]

Benjamin, This exactly what I am trying to do. Keep my 986 mother board and digital gauges but use the 996 analog gauges. Just like you my 996 digital gauges were defective. If you still have your original cluster EPROM
files and what you changed I sure could use them. Thanks for the post. Reebuck1@aol.com

[Reebuck1]

Looks like I made another mistake....received this great suggestion


Hi ,


One thing that jumps out is that due to the read being byte swapped by the programmer the wrong byte has been changed for the voltmeter. This is why the unit is now in KPH, you accidentally changed the byte that controls that function. (BB changed to 01 at x00005006)

I have put it back as it should be, changed the correct byte for the voltmeter and written it to a new file. Try uploading this and see how it functions.

The pressure gauge should be working with this program though, so I do not know why it isn't. Have you checked your wiring and have a known good 996 sender unit installed?

Cheers

I'm on it THANKS !!!

[The French Dude]

Hi, what do you need exactly to make a 911 gauge working on our 986 ?
Specific sensors ?

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by The French Dude

Hi, what do you need exactly to make a 911 gauge working on our 986 ?
Specific sensors ?

The basics are in this article: Pelican Technical Article: Boxster 996 Gauge Cluster Upgrade - 986 Boxster (1997-04) -

If you need instructions for reprogramming the cluster, send me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll forward them to you.

Good luck.

[KRAM36]

When using your existing Boxster circuit board, did it retain the car's vin and mileage?

[Reebuck1]

Yes it does retain the original Boxster data...mileage ,ser.#
The issue is turning on the two new 996 gauges. The question for me is can the Porsche dealer turn on these two gauges or do you have to remove the board and re-program the 93c56B flash chip with an EPROM programmer? I am at the Porsche dealer as I type and I'll let you know tomorrow.
I am using the 996 gauges with my original Boxster mother board. Two outside gauges do not work yet and analog speed gauge runs about 7-8 miles faster than my digital speed gauge. OTHER WISE ALL ELSE WORKS.

[KRAM36]

Getting the volt meter to work seems to be an eprom deal, but for the oil pressure I think you have to install a different sending unit on the motor and run a wire from it to the cluster?

[Chuck W.]

Originally Posted by KRAM36

Getting the volt meter to work seems to be an eprom deal, but for the oil pressure I think you have to install a different sending unit on the motor and run a wire from it to the cluster?

For mine, the volt meter needed nothing to be activated. The oil pressure does require a new sender unit and a wire to the new cluster.

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

For mine, the volt meter needed nothing to be activated. The oil pressure does require a new sender unit and a wire to the new cluster.

Now that's interesting. It's the 01 to 04 cars that require the newer cluster. This is beginning to look like an easier mod to my 03 then what the Pelican article shows.

Just need to find gauges for a Tip trans from a convertible with white gauge faces.

EDIT: Since I will be using the Boxster circuit board, do I still need gauges from a convertible?


.

[Reebuck1]

Oil pressure gage requires a 996 oil sending unite with two leads. One goes to the wire that is already on your 986 and the second lead requires you to run a wire to your blue pin connector on the back of your gage cluster. Pin # 9 or #13 I can't remember which one right now. I'll check for you later.

No answer from the Porsche dealer today (on turning on the extra gages)they have to replace a bad theft module
before they can get to the gage cluster. They ordered the bad part and it will not be in until Thurs. I'll let you know.

[KevinH1990]

On my 2000, I had to do the EPROM programming trick to get the voltmeter to work. That may be a difference between the "old" and "new" style clusters. The oil pressure gauge worked fine after I hooked up the 996 sending unit and inserted the wire in the back of the cluster.

The programming should also took care of the speedometer error and the top motion light. However, the top motion light on my 996 cluster worked before I programmed it. The VIN stored in the cluster indicated it was from a coupe, but it had the bulb already installed for the top motion light. So, the VIN decoder site may have had an error.

There was quite an extensive discussion on Renntech about this and most people indicated that the dealer couldn't help them.

[Reebuck1]

Thanks Kevin ! My problem was I could not get my EPROM reader to read the chip in on 986 mother board. Chip showed # as ( sc 56M ). This was not listed in the EPROM inventory. I tried entering the 93c56B chip
number but it showed no data when I tried to read the 986 chip. So I could not see the data on the chip. I had to take the car to the dealer because of a window issue that turned out to be a bad theft control unit.
(Waiting for part to come in now.)
I figured while I was at the dealer I would have them turn on my new cruse control install and also turn on the two new switches on my 996 gauge swap.
They tried BUT failed.
Reason appears to be the result of my installing the 996 motor and having my
986 DME flashed as a 996 ROW. The guy who did my re-flash locked the DME so it would not revert back to the original 986 coding if I disconnected the battery.
SOOOOOOOO we are trying to work our way through this.
Any thoughts on how to get at the flash chip?? It would be easier if I could just do the mother board chip instead of having to go the DME path.

[Trey T]

Sounds fishy....

People only flash ROM, right? If so, ROM doesn't get erased or reverted back unless there's another device/software piggy-back onto it to give it a command... which sound really odd.

I don't much about Porsche ECU programming, but to me, I have never heard of such thing for other cars.

Originally Posted by Reebuck1

... The guy who did my re-flash locked the DME so it would not revert back to the original 986 coding if I disconnected the battery.
SOOOOOOOO we are trying to work our way through this.
Any thoughts on how to get at the flash chip?? It would be easier if I could just do the mother board chip instead of having to go the DME path.