VW Clocks (Instrumentals) broken

ptarpeyoc

I've recently bought a 2001 Volkswagen Bora and the clocks aren't currently working on them,not showing milage or time rev gauge isn't working half of the time..without thinking I had gone to a scrap yard and got same clocks from the same year.

But if i change the clocks from old to new the car won't start as the immobilizer is in the clocks themselves preventing the car from starting..which is quite a pain,it's due for NCT soon and I need these to be fixed before I can even think about putting the car through but i'm not so smart in this area..really appreciate any help or whatever you can offer as an insight to my problem cheers

I'm located in Galway City if anyone knows any garages nearby that can sort me out :cool:

Chimaera

So the old cluster is at least partly functional, which is a good start.

First thing to check is that your original cluster and the new one you bought have the same part number (it'll look like 1J- --- --- -). If they do, happy days.

If the part numbers match, you need to clone your old cluster onto the new one. This will copy over all the settings, odometer reading and immobiliser codes that are stored on it. Your car will see it as the original one it had. You'll need someone with a tool called VAG-Tacho to do it (or an equivalent tool).

If the part numbers are different, it gets complicated. How complicated depends on how different the clusters are. At this stage, you need someone who knows how the data in the cluster is stored so the individual bits of info can be copied into the correct place on the new one.

Worst case scenario, you can buy a new cluster from the dealer who can install it and set up the immobiliser and odometer via diagnostics.

Superdedupity

I just swapped the clocks on an 01 Octavia dsl, same fault, €30 from breakers, running like a good un, no VAGCOM set up required.

ptarpeyoc

Chimaera wrote: »

If the part numbers match, you need to clone your old cluster onto the new one. This will copy over all the settings, odometer reading and immobiliser codes that are stored on it. Your car will see it as the original one it had. You'll need someone with a tool called VAG-Tacho to do it (or an equivalent tool).

Cheers for the response, The part numbers do match '1JXXX' now all I need is to find somewhere with a VAG-Tacho

ptarpeyoc

Superdedupity wrote: »

I just swapped the clocks on an 01 Octavia dsl, same fault, €30 from breakers, running like a good un, no VAGCOM set up required.

You just put the clocks straight in or the. Breakers swapped them for you?

You can't put them straight in on a mk4 or bora the immobiliser just doesn't allow the car to start

Superdedupity

Put them in myself, straight from the breakers, and the car did start, and has worked perfectly since (and is still in the family) on the octy, 2 torx headed bolts to remove cluster surround, held in with 4 small torx screws, multiplug on back.

Hadn't read anything on t'internet beforehand; just bought it, did it, and it worked. Have you changed one before personally ptarpey? You're welcome to inspect ours:)

Superdedupity

Does anyone know? I literally just swapped clocks, did not match part numbers (unless by accident), just got used diesel clocks, did not use VAGCOM, and the car has been fine for months?

ptarpeyoc

Well unfortunately its not working for me like that..wish it would! Would save tonnes of hassle

Chimaera

Superdedupity wrote: »

Does anyone know? I literally just swapped clocks, did not match part numbers (unless by accident), just got used diesel clocks, did not use VAGCOM, and the car has been fine for months?

My guess is that at some point the immobiliser in either your car or the one you got the second hand cluster from had been disabled. No good reason to do it, so I'd wonder what they were trying to cover up.

ptarpeyoc

Chimaera would VAGCOM be any good for this you reckon??

Chimaera

VCDS can be used for immobiliser matching if you have the SKC for your car. The dealer may be able to retrieve this for you if you go to them with the registration cert (this being a security related matter they'll probably want proof that you own the vehicle).

This page gives the full rundown of the capabilities of VCDS in relation to immobilisers: http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Immobilizer

ptarpeyoc

Why can't it just be so simple

mickdw

Why make it simple when you can make it difficult and get a few hundred quid in the workshop to make it work.

ptarpeyoc

mickdw wrote: »

Why make it simple when you can make it difficult and get a few hundred quid in the workshop to make it work.

I don't have a few hundred casually lying around im afraid :mad: