Gauge Cluster Repair

[KevinH1990]

I have a gauge cluster from a 2001 Carrera that I would like to swap into my Boxster. I have reviewed the instructions and it appears to be within my capabilities. However, in looking at the cluster, it appears that one of the LCD's is damaged.



Can I swap the LCD from my Boxster cluster or is there a company that can repair this?

Thanks

[ChrisZang]

some time ago I posted a few pictures of an open old-style cluster here:
http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-parts-sale-wanted/30373-1-1-2-996-clusters-old-model-please-read-story.html

Looking at the pictures I think the part is swappable, but you need some steady hands and should really know what you're doing

[particlewave]

Yes, you can. Just straighten out the metal locking tabs on the metal frame, remove frame from pcb, LCD and contacts slide right out of frame, and swap. About a 30 min job

[KevinH1990]

That looks like delicate work for someone with limited experience (like me). I would be risking damage to my cluster in the process of swapping the parts. I'll hook up the cluster in my car to make sure there aren't any other problems. Then I'll search for someone selling a Boxster cluster to serve as an organ donor.

That way I'll still have my original cluster in working order if something goes wrong.

Chris, this is twice that you helped me out in about a week. Too bad you already sold your damaged clusters I might have been able to use some of the parts.

Here's a picture of the entire cluster.

[KevinH1990]

I managed to remove the plastic lens without damaging anything:



However, removal of the damaged clock/oil gauge lcd module is now blocked by the white plastic part that holds the gauges. Based on a review of Chris Zang's pictures from his "for sale" post, it looks like I need to remove enough parts to get the cluster to this condition before I can remove the lcd:



Before risking damage, does anyone have tips for removing the white plastic part? It appears to be held on by this clip:



I also see two screws. One is near the bottom of the speedometer:



The other is near the bottom of the fuel gauge:



I would appreciate any tips on dissecting this without damaging anything. With the exception of the lcd, the cluster is in perfect condition and would make a nice upgrade to my car.

[particlewave]

Nevermind, I misread your post. There are two slide connectors in the rear of the unit that need to be slid outward toward the outside of the cluster. They are the electrical connections that connect the PCB to gauge cluster. No screws for this part. I'll try to post some pics later...

[particlewave]

Slide connector engaged. There will be one on each side of the rear of the cluster. Slide it toward the outside of the cluster...

[particlewave]

So that it looks like this...

[particlewave]

With the two slide connectors disengaged, release the clip on the white plastic part and the gauge faces will slide right out...

[particlewave]

At this point, it may be easier to just swap the entire PCB.

[KevinH1990]

Thanks - that was the information I needed.

This is how it appeared after I removed the metal retainer:



Now, how do I remove the lcd?

Do I remove the ribbon cable from the lcd or from the cluster?

[particlewave]

Yeah... I can't recommend that anyone do this. I consider myself a pro at electronics work, and it only took me about 10 minutes to take the gauges out and take these pictures for you. I've done this five or six times while swapping LEDs for the backlighting. I just put the gauges back in the car, and now I have a freaking snowflake. WTH?
Must be some kind of thermal shock from going from the 50 degree garage to the 75 degree living room. Not happy over here

[KevinH1990]

Very sorry to hear that. I feel very badly about this.

That is the exact problem with my cluster. It's obviously some kind of design flaw.

On mine, it looks like a thin film over the lcd is de-laminanting.
Can you fix it by heating it and pressing it into place?

[particlewave]

Boy, do I feel stupid. I never touched the LCDs at all. Made it a point not to...
I may pull it apart again sometime and take a closer look, but I don't think I'm going to today. I thought about hitting it was some real light heat from a blow dryer and see if that changes anything, but not sure. You can see in the last picture that I posted that the LCD is fine. I immediately put it back together and reinstalled it in the car, so something must've happened in between there...

I apologize that I can't be of more assistance. That type of ribbon cable on the LCD is probably soldered to the circuitboard...though I'm not sure. I've never had it that far apart before. In my earlier post about the LCD, I was thinking of the climate control unit which uses a different system of connections.

Looking at the bright side, I wanted a set of white clusters anyway, so I may be getting some new ones after all.

[KevinH1990]

I'm trying heat on mine. Here's how it looks after 2 five-minute cycles with a blow dryer.





It looks slightly better, but it has a long way to go before it is acceptable.

[particlewave]

Hmmm...maybe promising.

[ChrisZang]

Originally Posted by KevinH1990

Thanks - that was the information I needed.

Do I remove the ribbon cable from the lcd or from the cluster?

Whichever seems to go off easier, I'd say
Man, I really wish I hadn't practically given the old clusters away for nothing.
Tells me a lesson to hang onto things until the right time arrives

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by ChrisZang

Tells me a lesson to hang onto things until the right time arrives

I often think that too, but then I become concerned that I may start hoarding.

By the way, I saw this post by you on Pelican:

Problem with 996 cluster install in 986 - Pelican Parts Technical BBS

Do you think it is worth trying to plug the gauges from my 996 cluster onto my 986 main board? I don't want to break anything.

[BrokenLinkage]

Slightly off topic but closely related:
I'd like to upgrade to a 996 cluster, but I like the sporty font style of the Boxster clusters. Does anyone know if this font is available in a new guage face for the oil & voltage meter faces?
Failing this, my next choice would be to add them in black, for a less obtrusive appearance, to my silver-white 986 gauges. Can the outboard 996 oil & voltage gauges be transplanted to my 986 cluster and circuit board, thus retaining the original gauge faces centrally (without a precarious gauge face transplant), and also retaining my correct odometer reading?
Thanks for any info or guidance before I undertake some wild goose chase.
-mine is a 2001s if this matters

[BrokenLinkage]

Actually post #12 from the link referenced below suggests I could move the central guages from my boxster to the 996 unit, with some issues, thus answering one of my questions.