Replacement Instrument Cluster - How To Transfer Odometer??

Replacement Instrument Cluster - How To Transfer Odometer??

Hi Guys,
I just won a white faced OEM instrument cluster on ePay for my CE "rolla. It will be replacing the standard "black faced" cluster.
The question is, is it relatively simple to transfer the odometer and associated circuitry from the old cluster to the new one?
I am particularly good at dissassembling things and I would be willing to do this job instead of going to the dealer and paying a premium.
Is this feasable for the DIY'er?
Thanks!
Corolla Crooner

Why would you want to? Assuming that the new cluster reads zero miles...

It's completely possible that some of the mileage information gets recorded in various locations on the car - so following this theory, as soon as the new cluster sees power, the mileage field may populate with the correct mileage.

hehehe, the cluster is actually not new, but taken from an '03 Corolla with 5K on it.
Even though it would be cool to have 5K on the ODO again, the car still is on warranty and I would definitely want to keep a record of the original miles.

I am planning to carefully pry it open when it arrives, to see if I can swap the LCD display thingie. This presumably contains the associated circuitry (non-volatile) memory that keeps the car's mileage. Bimmernut's theory of the car keeping the mileage date elsewhere sounds interesting. I might just plug in the new cluster first to see if it reads the original mileage.

Yeah, but installing a LE or S gauge cluster into a CE has the potential for voiding the warranty immediately. I'm sure a dealer would be asking many questions - especially what happened with the current gauge cluster and that the LE/S gauge cluster is not original to the car...

Unless the dealer does the work. My car already has 26K. The warranty is good for 36K or three years right?

also, I can always wait until the warranty period is over to swap gauges, tho I don't believe I will be that patient. I guess I will end up paying the dealer to do it. They can then give me a written statement that It was replaced and original miles recorded. Just in case, if I need to sell the car.

Regards,
crooner

When I bought my 04 LE, I wanted to order a CE display because I did not want the white gauges. The dealer wouldn't do this because they said they would have to remove the odometer in the switch. They said this would have to go on the title, since the odometer was tampered with. Switching might hurt your warranty, so I would think you would have a hard time getting a dealer to do this.

Like I said I can wait until the warranty expires...
But I will try a couple of dealers to see what happens.
I reckon in case of an accident or other problem with the instrument cluster, they have to replace it.
And think about it, you can go and order a new one thru Toyota parts dept. If so, they have to be able to install it!

where can we get new speedo gauge? cuz im planning to get the ECU piggy back that takes out the speed limiter

interesting, I would like to know as well!!

Got the cluster today



Looks great. It has screws on the back so I will take it off just to see if I can swap the ODO easily.

It does look a little greenish, instead of completely white. I don't recall them being like this. Also, I believe there are differences between the LE and the S clusters. What version is this?
Thanks!
corolla crooner

Thats why I got in my S. Looks just right to me. maybe it only looks green cause its not in the car i dont know.

Installed the cluster today. It actually reads 32K instead of 5K as advertised by the seller!
That is not bad, since my car is 26K so it's a question of 3 or 4 months until I reach 32K.
I have the option of having the dealer install it, or just anxiously wait until the car hits 32K and swap the clusters.
By they way, the cluster looks AWESOME on my car!
I was so tempted to keep it installed but then I thought, my car is going to show HIGHER mileage, and that's not a good thing...

I also tried prying the thing open to see if I could swap the LCD odometer assembly. It is tightly packed in there. It doen't seem to be an easy task. I decided not to risk breaking the cluster or clusters!

You got an LE display. The numbers are green and the display gives off a dull "ghost" white with a slight geen tint. The S display has red numbers in it, but I've never seen it lit up at night. If I were you, I'd hold on to your CE display, to make sure you like the white gauges. Some people have a harder time adjusting to the brightness at night. You can dim it down, but it goes completely dark all at once, instead of being able to fade it all the way down.

mine dims all the way down. you have control just like a regular dim switch with the full specturm of brightness. but i still dont like it

You're better off having a licensed mechanic do this work. Odometer tampering is a federal offence.

Only if you get caught and btw, everybody in this thread is an accessory to the alleged odometer fraud :shock:

CALIFORNIA CODES
VEHICLE CODE
SECTION 28050-28053




28050. It is unlawful for any person to advertise for sale, to
sell, to use, or to install on any part of a motor vehicle or on an
odometer in a motor vehicle any device which causes the odometer to
register any mileage other than the true mileage driven. For the
purposes of this section the true mileage driven is that mileage
driven by the car as registered by the odometer within the
manufacturer's designed tolerance.



28050.5. It is unlawful for any person with the intent to defraud
to operate a motor vehicle on any street or highway knowing that the
odometer of such vehicle is disconnected or nonfunctional.



28051. It is unlawful for any person to disconnect, turn back,
advance, or reset the odometer of any motor vehicle with the intent
to alter the number of miles indicated on the odometer gauge.



28051.5. It is unlawful for any person to advertise for sale, to
sell, or to use, any device designed primarily for the purpose of
turning back or resetting the odometer of any motor vehicle to reduce
the number of miles indicated on the odometer gauge.




28052. If a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer of a new motor
vehicle makes any warranty to the purchaser of, and with respect to,
a new motor vehicle which is based on the amount of miles that the
motor vehicle is driven, only those miles which the motor vehicle has
been driven on and after the date that the motor vehicle has first
been sold as new to the purchaser shall be considered for purposes of
the warranty.
The mileage indicated upon the odometer of the motor vehicle on
the date that the motor vehicle is first sold as new to the purchaser
shall, for purposes of the warranty, be the mileage upon which the
warranty shall commence.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve any person
of any criminal punishment to which he would otherwise be subject
under Section 28051.
The provisions of this section shall apply only to motor vehicles
which are sold on or after the effective date of this section.



28053. (a) Nothing in this article prevents the service, repair, or
replacement of an odometer, if the mileage indicated thereon remains
the same as before the service, repair, or replacement. If the
odometer is incapable of registering the same mileage as before the
service, repair, or replacement, the odometer shall be adjusted to
read zero and a notice in writing shall be attached to the left
doorframe of the vehicle by the person performing the service,
repair, or replacement specifying the mileage prior to the service,
repair or replacement of the odometer and the date on which it was
serviced, repaired, or replaced.
(b) No person shall fail to adjust an odometer or affix a notice
regarding the adjustment as required by subdivision (a).
(c) No person shall, with intent to defraud, remove or alter any
notice affixed to a vehicle pursuant to subdivision (a).

"28053. (a) Nothing in this article prevents the service, repair, or
replacement of an odometer, if the mileage indicated thereon remains
the same as before the service, repair, or replacement"

So there you have it. I can have the cluster installed by Toyota so they can transfer my miles to the new Odometer.'

Or I can wait until the car reaches 32K to swap odometers.

In both cases, it would be compliant with the law.
Of course, I can get Toyota to sign a statement that It was replaced and original miles recorded.

also, being Odometers of electronic and mechanical nature, it is entirely possible for them to fail. I can disable the old cluster with static electricity so it will appear it died of natural causes. Then it would be only logical to replace the cluster.
That's my plan in case I need warranty work.

kriskraut: You said your display dims "all" the way down? Mine dims to a certain point, then it goes completely dark. It seems like there should be more room left for me to dim, but it ends suddenly. I don't care for the white gauges either. All the dealers claim this is a feature "to make it easier on eye strain." I think it makes it worse!! :? :roll: