I have a good used instrument module to swap for my existing one (which has a faulty digital odo / trip display). The Haynes manual warns that ‘use of Mazda diagnostic equipment to complete a configuration procedure is needed before and after the replacement’.
Can anyone comment as to why this is and the consequences of just unplugging the old and replacing with the new unit?
Many thanks.
Drew
A further thought then:
Following the info from Rhino666, is it possible to just swap the Odo unit within the instrument cluster (the housing is screwed together) without upsetting the ECU etc?
I'm not concerned about retaining the correct mileage figure, as the recent MOT & a dated pic (as suggested) will provide evidence for any future new owner.
Simply plugging in a replacement cluster on a MK3 will not work.
The cluster is part of the ecu/immobiliser system on these cars, so it will only work on the original car and system it was programmed to.
You would either need to get it programmed to your ecu/transponder or replace all the key components, so ecu, transponders and cluster from the same car.
The cluster also records the mileage of the donor car so that is what will show on the odometer.
I would guess that it would be to set the odometer to the correct mileage of the car. If the old one is still readable I would take a date stamped photo before and after the swap and keep these with your documentation to prove the actual mileage of the car. Otherwise keep a copy of the last recorded MOT mileage and estimate the additional mileage to date for your before figure.
So, finally got round to trying to fit the alternative IP unit and as rhino666 correctly advised the car refused to start, though the used unit did show the full LCD display working (showing the recorded mileage of the car it came off, by the look of it).
I then plugged my OBD reader in and scanned for error codes, then cleared them, thinking (perhaps rather optimistically!) that this might be all that is needed to map the new IP to the existing car’s ECU. No joy. Swapping back to the the original IP restored all functions.
With the LCD readout working on the used unit, I’m now keen to get it permanently mapped to the car, ideally with a mileage re-set to the correct actual mileage of the car. The question is:
Is this really a job for a Mazda dealer only, or do independent car electrics specialists have equipment capable of carrying out this procedure?
As it’s a quick job to swap them over, I would be happy to travel to the right (reasonably local) place and wait whilst the work was done.
Does anyone know someone in the Glos / Hereford / Monmouth area who could help here?
Have you had a quote from a Mazda dealer? Swapping the cluster, as you probably know only takes a few minutes so the bulk of the cost would only be programming it to the car, maybe an hours labour for the lot.
I KNOW Norwich may be outside your travelling area, but these guys seem to be able to assist.
Hopefully they can repair your one?
They might even know some where a bit local to you.
Just a thought. https://www.jccars.co.uk/Instrument%20Clusters.htm
Hi Robbie,
No, I haven’t - probably from a wariness of high dealer hourly rates & their relative scarcity. I’ll try this option if no attractive alternatives, as you’re right about the ease of swapping them.
They certainly look up to the job. I’m not being overwhelmed with options here, so I’ll give them a tinkle next week, to see what they may be able to do remotely. They advertise repairs too, so repairing my original unit might prove to be a more cost effective & convenient optoion.
While having my coffee on a beautiful day found these for you too.
Be interesting to know the result as you never know, we might need them one day.
Some are quoting “A Fraction of the cost of main dealers”…
Nice one bud - good to have a few options. I did read a thread somewhere where a chap managed to fix his faulty LCD display by carefully remelting each of the soldered joints between the LCD module & the PCB base. Not sure I’m quite that brave, or have the requisite steady hand…
I know that ECUtek is able to disable the immobiliser, if that would not be a problem for you. Also, you need an ECUtek license. If you don’t have that already then it’s an expensive option.
I got my 1.8 cluster coupled to my new 2.0 car at a Mazda dealer but it took forever to find one that wanted and knew how to do it.
