02-05 WRX Instrument Cluster Disassembly

[K3LAG]

For step by step instructions on disassembling a 02-05 WRX instrument cluster. See this post in my build thread:

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?12055-The-Savage-build-thread&p=151484&viewfull=1#post151484

As always, if you have questions let me know.

Larry

[grayghost]

Larry, or anyone else do you know if the 2006 would be about the same? Grayghost

[K3LAG]

Larry, or anyone else do you know if the 2006 would be about the same? Grayghost

The basic disassembly is the same, but the EEPROM is surface mounted rather than a DIP making it a more challenging replacement.

Larry

[metalmaker12]

How about an Sti, than I would be really impressed, but great right up bro. Nice work

[K3LAG]

How about an Sti, than I would be really impressed, but great right up bro. Nice work

STi is also surface mount.

Right now I only have EEPROM images for the 02-03 WRX and 04-05 WRX without the extra temperature display. If I could get my hands on a cluster with the temperature display to copy the EEPROM I could do them as well.

I'm working on the steps to become a vendor so I can sell EEPROMs. I hope to have that all done soon.

Larry

[RM1SepEx]

I'm looking into the opportunity to reset my 05 WRX ODO, keep us posted please

[Evan78]

Cool, resetting to 0 mileage would be nice. Are you willing and able to provide pricing at this time?

[K3LAG]

Cool, resetting to 0 mileage would be nice. Are you willing and able to provide pricing at this time?

Price will be $30 shipped. I will post the rest of the details once I get the vendor status taken care of.

Larry

[Evan78]

Cool, that's definitely worth it.

[AZPete]

Larry, would it be possible for a 2006? .

[K3LAG]

Larry, would it be possible for a 2006? .

Not at this time. From what I have seen, the EEPROM in the 2006 is surface mounted which makes replacing it a bit more challenging. I'm looking into possibilities, but no solution at this time.

Larry

[RM1SepEx]

do they plug in to the harness the same so you could substitute an earlier gauge pod?

[K3LAG]

do they plug in to the harness the same so you could substitute an earlier gauge pod?

Mostly yes, but depending on the cluster there may be a couple of wires that need to be moved or removed.

I haven't researched this too much in depth, but there are a lot of threads on various Subaru forums about doing cluster swaps. Many are swappable, but there are small quirks you have to watch out for.

Larry

[RM1SepEx]

Thankfully I have an 05 an I'm looking forward to ordering a chip!

[metalmaker12]

STi is also surface mount.

Right now I only have EEPROM images for the 02-03 WRX and 04-05 WRX without the extra temperature display. If I could get my hands on a cluster with the temperature display to copy the EEPROM I could do them as well.

I'm working on the steps to become a vendor so I can sell EEPROMs. I hope to have that all done soon.

Larry


I can send you my Sti cluster to get rid of airbag and diff lights.

[K3LAG]

I can send you my Sti cluster to get rid of airbag and diff lights.

You should be able to turn off those lights by either grounding or applying 12v to the appropriate input wire on the cluster. If you look at the wiring diagram for your year of cluster you should be able to tell which way it needs to be tied. It's not something that can be changed by programming. I'm not really set up to work on other people clusters. I will only be offering odometer EEPROMs for now.

Larry

[longislandwrx]

did you have to oversolder first or was a pump enough?

[K3LAG]

did you have to oversolder first or was a pump enough?

For the clusters with a DIP, using a pump or braid works fine. I used a pump as it was quicker and put less heat into the part.

For those wondering about '06 clusters, I hope to have an answer this weekend.

Larry

[FFRSpec72]

Looking forward to the chips being available

[K3LAG]

For those wondering about '06 clusters, I hope to have an answer this weekend.

Larry

Good news for the 2006 guys. I got my hands on a 2006 cluster today (Thanks Westview!) and it has a DIP.

Sales should start next week. I'm just waiting for some parts to come in.

I'll have chips for 02-03, 04-05 without temp display, and 06 with both displays. I don't know if 07 is the same as 06 at this point.

Larry

[svanlare]

Hoping the '07 is like the '06, would be nice to reset the odo.

[07FIREBLADE]

What's the current price that you are locating at? And does the sti cluster fall under the specific years too?

[K3LAG]

$30. STi clusters are not included as they have a surface mounted EEPROM.

Larry

[07FIREBLADE]

There goes my idea of switching to a sti cluster after I get registered. Cool this sounds like a decent and cheap mod to add to the long list.

[K3LAG]

There goes my idea of switching to a sti cluster after I get registered. Cool this sounds like a decent and cheap mod to add to the long list.

You will likely want to change the odometer before you title the car. If you do it afterward you will have to document and disclose the odometer change.

Larry

[Xusia]

Regarding the temp display, is there a way to tell visually? I have no idea which mine is.

[K3LAG]

Yes. The temp display is actually a second LCD under the fuel and temp gauges. The only 04-05 cars that have the temp display are those that had automatic climate control as far as I can tell. I'll post pics of the clusters I can do next week when I'm ready to start taking orders.

Larry

[Xusia]

Mine's a 2003. And I'm pretty sure it only has 1 LCD, so I think I get to give you my money! :)

[07FIREBLADE]

Illegal in California according to the dmv even though it's a special construction with new parts. Car is never getting sold so for selling purposes I don't really car.

[longislandwrx]

Illegal in California according to the dmv even though it's a special construction with new parts. Car is never getting sold so for selling purposes I don't really car.

how do they know its not a brand new cluster from the dealer?

[K3LAG]

Illegal in California according to the dmv even though it's a special construction with new parts. Car is never getting sold so for selling purposes I don't really car.

I think the person at the DMV misinformed you. Here is what CA has to say about it: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/reg_hdbk_pdf/ch5_odometer_mileage_reporting.pdf

CA law appears to be pretty consistent with the other few states I've looked at.

Larry

[Jaime]

Changing the odometer pretty much has to be legal everywhere. Otherwise, you'd have to junk a car when the instrument cluster fails.

However, changing the odometer without doing the correct paperwork is highly illegal. Fortunately, the process most of us will go through to get our cars on the road already includes an odometer disclosure statement, so this is a great time to do a reset.

[Xusia]

I wonder what the DMV would do if you told them the instrument cluster was damaged, and you repaired it yourself (new EEPROM). Since you couldn't see the exact mileage, and because it's a new car, you set it to zero.

[K3LAG]

I know a bunch of you guys are waiting for me to start selling EEPROMs. I'm waiting for one item to show up in the mail so I can get them programmed and I'll be ready. Hopefully it will only be another day or two.

Larry