MJP911

Has anyone done the upgrade to the 996 instrument cluster? I've done tons of reading on the internet and have read all the blogs. My question is whether it is really necessary to reprogram the 996 cluster when installed on the 986? Will it work properly without reprogramming? From what I read, the programming is needed only to get the top indicator light to work and to make sure the instrument cluster and radio are coordinated for the radio security function. Given that mine is being used as a race car (SPB), I don't care about either. Is there another reason the programming is needed?

KevinH2000

If you are swapping a cluster from a 996 it will work fine as long as it is from the correct year. As you note, the fact that the mileage and VIN will be incorrect don't matter in your case. The top indicator light may work if you swap a cluster from a cabriolet.

Achillies

Here is a link to the DIY

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...96_Cluster.htm

GVA-SFO

Have not done it yet, but would REALLY love to dot it !
(Some times, in turn 11 at Laguna Seca, I have seen some brief red flashes on the area of the oil pressure, and frankly, I really hate to not have an oil pressure gauge !)
..But, I do not think that it is very easy to do it well, ..i.e.: to still pass smog tests after that, (VIN OK, mileage ok, etc...)

Chuck W.

I swapped one into my 2001 986. Damn easy. The only change I did was sending it to ODO-Pro.com to have the odometer reset.

Here is the break down on my cost for the modification;

996 X71 Instrument Cluster $250.00
996 Leather Surround $85.00
996 Hazard Button $20.53
Oil Sender $56.63
Wires $17.10
Re-Set Odometer $89.00
Total $518.26

Sold 986 Cluster (Cleared after shipping and eBay Fees) $163.69
Total Cost for 996 Cluster $354.57

I could have cut $85 off the total by keeping the Boxster surround and modifying it. But the stitched leather 996 one looked too good to pass up. That would have made the total cost for me $269.57.

I did the labor myself and with all the stuff on the net it was very easy.

I bought the 996 cluster, leather surround and hazard button from qualityporscheparts on eBay. The oil sender and wires from Sunset Porsche.

The 996 is so much nicer than the Boxster. If offers addition features and a better layout besides the two extra gauges.

Just a thought.

txhokie4life

Do you have to add an oil pressure sender for the 986 to work with 996 cluster?

KevinH2000

Yes - The link to the Pelican Part DIY has full instructions.

Good luck with your upgrade.

fazm

Hello! Sorry for the insane necro, but I'm neck deep in this job and have reached a snag:

I have a 2004 986 S and I'm installing the gauge cluster from a 2002 Cabriolet 996. I have run the oil pressure sender wire and now have it in the harness. Oil pressure sender is installed. I had a local shop clone over my boxster mileage (and hopefully VIN) to the 996 cluster. I'm now working to enable the onboard computer. I have already toggled the OBC on using Durametric and following Aaron's guide (Help Me DIY YT channel). The problem I have now is that pins 21-24 are populated on the wiring harness for my gauge cluster already!

Unlock the oil pressure sending location (pin5 for my car)- which was empty - 21-24 have wires in them! Are these hanging out somewhere near the steering column? if so, that's much easier for me to tap. Here's the pelican guide I'm following: https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...BC_upgrade.htm

Any help is appreciated.

fazm

Here's spots 1-16:




Here's 17-32:

fazm

I suspect I am mistaken and the OBC wires go into my grey harness while the oil pressure sender wire goes into the blue harness.

fazm

Also, if you're reading this thread at this point you probably need this: https://www.suncoastparts.com/produc...X6CLPLUGS.html