Carrera Gauge Swap

[Benjamin]

This is a great write up! I have a 2000 Boxster S and and 99 C2 gauge cluster with a bad LCD, so I am in a similar boat to what you were. I say similar because evidently there could be some differences in the fuel sending units between 99 and 00:

"In addition, the very early C2 cars used a different fuel level sender than the one that is used in the Boxster. As a result, installing an early C2 cluster into a Boxster may not give you the most accurate fuel gauge reading (although I did install one on my project Boxster, and it appears to be working okay)." - Wayne @ Pelican

His swap was a straight cluster for cluster, not the board from the 986 and the gauges from a 996.

My 996 C2 board is part number is 996 641 103 03 70C. (I don't know if it is the "early" style or not)

Is this something that is potentially also correctable via EEPROM, or is that a hardware difference on the board?

Any help from anyone would be appreciated.

Benjamin

[juicepro]

Kevin, what tools do you need to take apart the cluster, just a torx bit?

[gavinyuill]

Originally Posted by juicepro

Kevin, what tools do you need to take apart the cluster, just a torx bit?

Yes, remove 2 torx screws, then push the two clips on the back towards the outside of the cluster - this might seem a little scary at first as it feels as if they will break, but it disengages the electrical plugs that connect the two boards together, then unclip the large clip from the bottom of the cluster and it should fall easily into two halves.

[topradio]

Well I have to say a big thanks to you all, especially Benjamin for sending me the gen and his 996 file. I got around to finishing off this mod today and reprogrammed the eeprom (changing the bits to enable the voltmeter) It works great

I am going to post this mod on Boxa.net making reference to the work you guys have done.

Keep up the good work.

[gavinyuill]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

This is a great write up! I have a 2000 Boxster S and and 99 C2 gauge cluster with a bad LCD, so I am in a similar boat to what you were. I say similar because evidently there could be some differences in the fuel sending units between 99 and 00:

"In addition, the very early C2 cars used a different fuel level sender than the one that is used in the Boxster. As a result, installing an early C2 cluster into a Boxster may not give you the most accurate fuel gauge reading (although I did install one on my project Boxster, and it appears to be working okay)." - Wayne @ Pelican

His swap was a straight cluster for cluster, not the board from the 986 and the gauges from a 996.

My 996 C2 board is part number is 996 641 103 03 70C. (I don't know if it is the "early" style or not)

Is this something that is potentially also correctable via EEPROM, or is that a hardware difference on the board?

Any help from anyone would be appreciated.

Benjamin

Yes, the fuel gauge calibration is stored on the EPROM, copying over the contents of your old one will fix up the fuel gauge. However, if you use the Boxster programming on a 996 cluster, the oil sender and voltmeter will not work. I have found the correct bits to turn this on with the older unit, but not with the newer one. If I can get some more newer eprom dumps I may be able to reverse engineer it though.

You can tell the old unit from the newer by the color of the connector on the back. the older unit is Black, White and Blue. The 99 and 2000 should both be the older unit, so you are in luck.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by gavinyuill

Yes, the fuel gauge calibration is stored on the EPROM, copying over the contents of your old one will fix up the fuel gauge. However, if you use the Boxster programming on a 996 cluster, the oil sender and voltmeter will not work. I have found the correct bits to turn this on with the older unit, but not with the newer one. If I can get some more newer eprom dumps I may be able to reverse engineer it though.

You can tell the old unit from the newer by the color of the connector on the back. the older unit is Black, White and Blue. The 99 and 2000 should both be the older unit, so you are in luck.

Great! I bought the 996 cluster for $150 because it has a defective LCD. The oil sending unit was $83, so all in all I will be $233 into it. I may as well do the OBC add on at the same time I have the cluster out.

I will send you both of my EEPROM dumps if you have any interest. Both are the older style. I also don't know the specs of the donor 996.

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

Both are the older style. I also don't know the specs of the donor 996.

When you read the programming on the cluster, you can enter the VIN on this web site:
Scouser's Porsche VIN Decoder

That might tell you whether if is from a coupe or a cabriolet. However, for my 996 cluster it said the donor car was a coupe, but the top operation warning light was activated. So, it is not 100% accurate.

It sounds like you got a good price on your cluster. I think I paid $155 with shipping. I was able to sell my silver gauges to another Boxster owner for $150. You may find that someone wants your old cluster for parts.

Good luck with your project.