Carrera Gauge Swap

[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 !!!

[Reebuck1]

Tried the below suggestion and........IT LIVES.......IT LIVES.....THE BEAST HAS COME TO LIFE!!!!

All gauges appear to be working and car still runs great.

I'll try and give a detailed break down tomorrow.

I want to thank all of you for all the help you have been kind enough to provide.
I obviously would never have figured it out by my self. It is unbelievable all the collective experience that exists on this forum. Great work guys !!!