OT (but not far): what happens with a mismatch in "coding"

[gmushial]

For a part to work it has to be coded... ok: and if it is not: what happens?

I posted in the E39 subforum - but there is little if any of the technical expertise that is here, there... so I'll try here:

Situation: I need to replace the stepper motors in the instrument cluster - which means having the 530 down for 2+ weeks... but sitting in a junkyard 5 miles away is another 530, same config, just with 160k miles more on it... and I'm wondering: what would happen if I pulled the cluster and shipped it off to be repaired; and in the meantime, use the cluster from the junkyard 530? I believe these clusters need to be "coded" - when one buys a new one from bimmer, it includes the phrase "uncoded"... so: when there is a mismatch in coding within the system: will it even start or run? Or does the EWS (??) preclude that? Or should I just live without the 530 for as long as it takes, and not consider the junkyard cluster?

as always: many thanks - greg

[328 Power 04]

The used cluster will work, but have the tamper dot on it. You may also get ABS/DSC light on for vin mismatch between the abs module.

The used cluster may raise the stored mileage in your light control module to the higher mileage. This is more common of the newer cars. You may just have tamper dot and error lights for some systems.

EWS will not interfere with car starting.

[328 Power 04]

A third option is to find a good used cluster, and have the mileage and vin changed on it to match your car. Then you put into your car, code all the car specific settings into it using NCSExpert (simple) and drive on.

The e39 clusters require opening to change vin and mileage, to program directly to the eeprom chip. There are ways to do it without removing the needles or stepper motors (a difficult job to remove those).

[gmushial]

The used cluster will work, but have the tamper dot on it. You may also get ABS/DSC light on for vin mismatch between the abs module.

The used cluster may raise the stored mileage in your light control module to the higher mileage. This is more common of the newer cars. You may just have tamper dot and error lights for some systems.

EWS will not interfere with car starting.

Thank you... and as I said: there are plenty of opinions over there, very much not the knowledge.

A follow up: then after the cluster is repaired, and I reinstall it: then any "knowledge" of there having been a swap and a reswap, will be gone? Or will there be some lasting evidence that will need to be chased out of the system.. ie, not sure now much info the systems really do keep, or don't.

Again: many thanks.

[328 Power 04]

What I am most worried about is the higher mileage cluster raising the miles that are stored (as a backup) in the light control module.
I have never purposefully done a test like that. I know e60 and up will auto update the miles up... leaving you stuck at a false higher miles.
I don't think the e39 does that.

But lets say you drive 1000 miles before you put your repaired cluster in.. then your LCM will have a higher mileage than your repaired cluster now.

Opinions below:
If I were faced with this decision, I would replace the cluster with a good used one in which I would change the vin and mileage myself, and forget about fixing the original.

[gmushial]

I'm in favor of what's more reasonable... do you have software to set vin and mileage? ... as a related but totally off the wall question: will a e39 run w/o a cluster installed?

[328 Power 04]

IResizer_15323112747020.jpg

It's more about doing some little things to the hardware (to avoid pulling needles, high risk of damage), and then manual hex editing.


Yes, car should run.