986 Cluster LCDs

[particlewave]

No glue. Screws and snaps.

The needles are not keyed. Getting them back on correctly will be a nightmare.

[Qmulus]

Originally Posted by particlewave

No glue. Screws and snaps.

The needles are not keyed. Getting them back on correctly will be a nightmare.

In my experience, getting the needles off without popping the gears out of place inside the gauge motor is more difficult than getting the needles on correctly. If you are careful and mark where they are on the stops and put them back to that exact spot, you usually can get the needles dead on.

For what it is worth, I have new gauge motors for the newer clusters and I stock the three LCD panels with the cables for the old style clusters.

One thing you might notice on the PCB for the gauges is that there are the provisions for extra circuitry which I think was used on the Carrera GT cluster, which is pretty much the same. The Carrera GT interestingly had TPMS, which I think would be really nice to add. I have figured out how to enable the boost display on a late 986/996 cluster with the "dot matrix" display. I am thinking of trying to trick my PST2 to think a 996 cluster is a Carrera GT cluster, and get it to code it to a CGT configuration to see if any interesting gets added. Yeah, when I have time...

Sorry, off topic.

[harrg67]

Are those LCDs only for the bonded cables or do you have them for the 2002 that have connectors?

I appreciate all the extra info. Keeps me thinking if I have the chops to pull this off. I'd love to move to a 996 cluster but want to be sure I keep the accurate odo info.

Originally Posted by Qmulus

In my experience, getting the needles off without popping the gears out of place inside the gauge motor is more difficult than getting the needles on correctly. If you are careful and mark where they are on the stops and put them back to that exact spot, you usually can get the needles dead on.

For what it is worth, I have new gauge motors for the newer clusters and I stock the three LCD panels with the cables for the old style clusters.

One thing you might notice on the PCB for the gauges is that there are the provisions for extra circuitry which I think was used on the Carrera GT cluster, which is pretty much the same. The Carrera GT interestingly had TPMS, which I think would be really nice to add. I have figured out how to enable the boost display on a late 986/996 cluster with the "dot matrix" display. I am thinking of trying to trick my PST2 to think a 996 cluster is a Carrera GT cluster, and get it to code it to a CGT configuration to see if any interesting gets added. Yeah, when I have time...

Sorry, off topic.

[Qmulus]

Originally Posted by harrg67

Are those LCDs only for the bonded cables or do you have them for the 2002 that have connectors?

I appreciate all the extra info. Keeps me thinking if I have the chops to pull this off. I'd love to move to a 996 cluster but want to be sure I keep the accurate odo info.

I do not have new LCDs for the late clusters, and I don't think they are available separately like the early ones are. If you are not in a hurry, you can usually find a used Boxster cluster that is otherwise damaged or ugly for $75 or so and use it for parts.

[harrg67]

Thanks for all the advice! I am going to try to find a cheap one for the parts for now. Let's see how lucky I am..

Originally Posted by Qmulus

I do not have new LCDs for the late clusters, and I don't think they are available separately like the early ones are. If you are not in a hurry, you can usually find a used Boxster cluster that is otherwise damaged or ugly for $75 or so and use it for parts.

Originally Posted by P_Carfahrer

There is a pretty good guide on how to disassemble the cluster on rennlist with a thread title changing the gauge color face or something like that.

I have recently changed all LEDs on both a gen 2 986 and 996 cluster.

Changing the LCD is no problem, just don’t touch the LCD contact points (not really cables) that will usually come separated from the LCD. Also make sure you get the LCD snap covers completely seated or the LCD will have ghosting.

When you take off the needles, put painters tape under the pointer ends and accurately mark the positions to get them properly placed. I also took a piece of paper that I had cut a slot in to slide under the needle to keep from scratching the gauge face.

That said in doing the clusters three stepper motor shaft/gear assemblies came separated and I had to replace them. I tried to take one apart to fix it and they are not meant to be taken apart. Like Qmulus I also have additional stepper motors. Replacing them is a ******************** with unsoldering the old from the board and soldering the new one.

Originally Posted by particlewave

No glue. Screws and snaps.

The needles are not keyed. Getting them back on correctly will be a nightmare.