Kevin in Atlanta

Are all 1989-95 instrument panels swappable?

Bilal928S4

I think that the 89 is a special version. Not 100% sure.

FredR

Kevin,

This is an interesting query- I have 3 display units- the one in my 92 GTS chassis, the one from my expired 90 S4 and another one that came from a model year wreck I do not know the model year but understood it was an 88.

I recently had the dash panel out and decided to try the other two units units to see if they worked- they did- and all had the same characteristic problem with the oil pressure indication issue I have [erratic]. When I checked the display part number all three had the same designation. The 90 model introduced the PSD system so one might have expected some difference on a panel from an earlier model year.

The 90 S4 I totalled had no air bag [but USA MY 90 models had them]. Maybe such additional features were built in in anticipation of future developments?

Presumably all models with the digital dash were similar? I know the earlier S4's [87 maybe 88?] were different.

Regards

Fred

Tom in Austin

There were several software versions for functionality changes. Some of the warning light positions were vacant on '89s, for example, people say the '89 cluster had a socket for an airbag light but no bulb.

Kevin in Atlanta

I was thinking of swapping it the ex's 91 because the gauge face was delaminating.

Vilhuer

I think airbag, RDK and PSD possibility were all already in '89 MY panel even though they were not in use and warning light is missing. '89 MY was first year for digi dash. Even something like Japanise only converter temp light possibility was build into all of them. There were obviously changes but core is same and I think crucially also wiring is same. So they are very likely interchangeable over entire '89-95 range. Some programing features are different but those what are included into each board will probably all work.

Livio928

Another query about the 89 digi dash.

I had a US 89 and it would toggle between imperial and metric, however my two CDN versions do not have this function which I find it odd. My original thought is that more Canadians would travel to the US as opposed to the other way around and thus the toggle made things easy but this is not the case.

I don't want to get into an argument that Canadians could convert the speeds in thier head easier than Americans because that ain't true... is it??

Vilhuer

It seems only US cars have program version which allows units to be changed. It could be handy in Europe also. There is also possibility of legal issues why factory didn't include it to all markets.

Livio928

Anybody know if it is just a matter of programming that in?

Vilhuer

Its only programing but thats easier said than done. Chip where program is is available and someone has bin file for I'm sure. Just need knowhow hot to do it and also how to keep or transfer current mileage. This requires some gymnastics.

There are few threads about chip problem which looses driving distance when certain chip gets old. This is problem to which there isn't proper solution yet. Unit configuration and few other things could be fixed at same time.