XC90 dash cluster new or used..........????

brett0105 · Post by **brett0105** » 02 Jul 2009, 02:09

Greetings I have an 03 XC90 dash goes on and off, dealer tells me I MUST buy brand new as used will not be able to be programed to fit my car. Is this true does anyone fix them

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 02 Jul 2009, 05:50

Welcome to MVS.
Are they saying you need a brand new instrument cluster?
I am thinking that the problem might lie elsewhere.
True to some extent that the cluster has to be new- but not really... if an old one is new, it has to be "blanked out" in order to accept the new programming- some dealers know how to do this- others don't seem to have a clue.

007 · Post by **007** » 23 Aug 2011, 08:11

Hi, this is my first post... my question is if the R-design blue cluster is compatible with my standard 2006 XC90? (I mean if the connectors are the same) and after plugging it (if compatible) would be necessary to take the suv to the dealer to program something?.

I will really appreciate your reply. Thanks.

Post by **jimmy57** » 23 Aug 2011, 09:18

The cluster or Driver's Information Module, DIM, can be used from another vehicle. If the used cluster has higher milage than your car then the CEM, the main module for the car, gets its milage record upwritten to the higher milage. If the used cluster has lower milage then you are OK. The cluster from a 2006 will not work in a 2003. There was a major change in the OS of the whole car computer system in 2005. Effectively there are almost none, if in fact none, of the modules that can be interchanged across the 99-04 and 05-present line.

Post by **jimmy57** » 23 Aug 2011, 09:21

The cluster or Driver's Information Module, DIM, can be used from another vehicle. If the used cluster has higher milage than your car then the CEM, the main module for the car, gets its milage record upwritten to the higher milage. If the used cluster has lower milage then you are OK. The cluster from a 2006 will not work in a 2003. There was a major change in the OS of the whole car computer system in 2005. Effectively there are almost none, if in fact none, of the modules that can be interchanged across the 99-04 and 05-present line.

When the modules are interchangeable then you still need a reload of software to assure the DIM will display all messages for equipment on the vehicle it is fitted to and will display properly for the engine and transmission and other info fed from various modules on the car.

Shadows · Post by **Shadows** » 11 Sep 2011, 09:33

007 wrote:Hi, this is my first post... my question is if the R-design blue cluster is compatible with my standard 2006 XC90? (I mean if the connectors are the same) and after plugging it (if compatible) would be necessary to take the suv to the dealer to program something?.

I will really appreciate your reply. Thanks.

A blue R-design dash or the new classic DIM (as the swedes call it) can't be used on an old XC90, with the normal gauges.
BUT, it is possible to switch to the new gauges by simply take a new dash an take the black or blue gauges an mount them on the old one. This way it is the old dash but with new design.
I have done it on my XC90 - took under a hours job.

From my other forum:
New gauges is mounted

Went quite easy, just to find a supply to the light in the top of the dash, was a little tricky

The mounting of the dials including the plast frames was very easy. Even putting the neadels on was easy. I took pictures at 100 km/h, so I knew how the rews was in compare with the spped.

Then a drove with car a trip with warm engine and fuld tank. Used the GPS on the iphone with my speed shown on the phone, and then pressed the neadels light on, and when I stopped - pressed them firm on.

Hurra !

..and now

007 · Post by **007** » 19 Sep 2011, 14:10

Thanks, I will do it this way!.