XC90 R-design blue cluster to a standard XC90?

007 · Post by **007** » 23 Aug 2011, 08:13

Hi,

My question is if the XC90 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.

lasthumain · Post by **lasthumain** » 24 Nov 2011, 13:54

normaly they have the same plugs but the problem the blue cluster may came from V8. do you have V8 too if yes i think yes it ll work. if you did it already can you let me know if it did work for you and where did you get the cluster from ? i m looking for one.

007 · Post by **007** » 28 Nov 2011, 22:43

lasthumain wrote:normaly they have the same plugs but the problem the blue cluster may came from V8. do you have V8 too if yes i think yes it ll work. if you did it already can you let me know if it did work for you and where did you get the cluster from ? i m looking for one.

Hi, here is a quick summary:

1. Due to I didn´t find the XC90 R-Design blue cluster used, I had to purchase the blue one for S60R (my risk) on ebay
2. When I received the blue cluster for S60R, I dissasembled it and took out the 4 blue gauges with 4 needles (of course I must tried to handle this cluster first due to this was my first time doing this!)
3. I removed the original black standard style cluster from my XC90, then the same procedure that #2.
4. ¨Simply¨ replaced the blue ones on the standard black cluster. The gauges are easy to install BUT you must have to be accurate with the needles because if you don´t, they will be as ¨uncalibrated¨, I mean, if the SUV engine is ON but stopped the speed gauge would indicates 60mph or if you know your fuel tank is full, the needle would indicates 1/2 tank (these are examples).

5. THE PROBLEM: I didn´t note the difference of the material between the standard black and blue gauges, the black ones are made of a translucent material, and the blue ones are made of aluminum. So when I ¨simply¨ installed the same black cluster BUT with the R-Design blue gauges on my SUV, I noticed this!:

: Picture for #5

Think driving with this cluster at night!!!

6. So: I checked again the original remaining parts of the S60R blue cluster and found that for the R-Design models the cluster have some LED lights on top of each gauge (1 for temp, 2 for mph, 2 for rpm, 1 for fuel), so: the main connector of the S60R is different for my Xc90´s... but you must never give up! and think on a solution...

7. SOLUTION AND HOW IT WORKS NOW: I removed the installed black cluster with the blue gauges (¨simply¨ installed...) and took the:
- Original connector/electronic board (with blue gauges and needles installed)
- The black bezel that the original S60R cluster have: because this bezel is the one and only that can carry the oem Led lights
- The front glass that came with the S60R cluster
Basically, I made one cluster of two!.

8. Now the modification to make the leds turns on and off: only if you have seen a R-design cluster you must know that there is a special small connector that comes from all the led lights to the electronic board of the cluster directly, of course our standard style cluster doesn´t have that ¨added¨ small connector, so simply cut the small connector and you will have both cables without male connector that can be welded to a switch or to the side marker lights (as I did).

9. FINALLY: I welded both cables coming from the LEDs to a piece of cable bought at any electric/electronic shop, then welded this 2 ends to the left side marker light, and it´s done!!!:

: Picture for #9

This way, when I am driving from morning to early afternoon, the cluster is like first picture, but you can see the gauges and all the items perfectly, you don´t need the leds at that time, but when night comes I simply turn on my side marker lights and instantaneously I have my cluster like the 2nd picture.

1 complete working day... but it looks great at night. BTW, this was made on a XC90 2004 T6. Hope this is helpful for all!

Rgds.

Shadows · Post by **Shadows** » 01 Dec 2011, 10:23

I did it too.

I mounted the classic DIM gauges.
It was fairly easy to do. With any out problems. Put the needles with help off GPS guidance from my iPhone, warm engine and with a full fuel tank. And a previous picture of Speed and revs. as reference.

And then it looks like this:

Done on my '04 model

xallenx · Post by **xallenx** » 14 Dec 2011, 18:46

So no blue but just the silver aluminum?

Shadows · Post by **Shadows** » 11 Jan 2012, 02:20

xallenx wrote:So no blue but just the silver aluminum?

No, not just the silver aluminium. Silver rings with black dials.

Since my car isn't a R-design, i wouldn't go for the blue dials. Despite the blue ones is looking very good.

The black ones like mine are standard on normal XC90 and others Volvos from about 2007 and forward.

lasthumain · Post by **lasthumain** » 19 Jan 2012, 20:54

You Know They are the same clusters s60 s80 v70 and xc90 . The only difference is the software.

Shadows · Post by **Shadows** » 26 Jan 2012, 04:44

lasthumain wrote:You Know They are the same clusters s60 s80 v70 and xc90 . The only difference is the software.

I have been told told, that the housing isn't the same, with those to the XC90.

007 · Post by **007** » 19 Aug 2012, 11:28

Shadows wrote:
lasthumain wrote:You Know They are the same clusters s60 s80 v70 and xc90 . The only difference is the software.
I have been told told, that the housing isn't the same, with those to the XC90.

Yes, you are right, the housing is a bit different the XC90´s version.