Upgrade DIS from monochrome (red) to colour

[richribbon09]

Hi all,

I have just purchased a 54 reg A6 (C6) 3.0 TDI Quattro and am very pleased with it.

However, one thing is bugging me - the monochrome DIS looks a bit dated and out of place, especially as the car has MMI High (well, i assume it does, it has the colour screen and DVD sat nav).

So, I was wondering, does anyone on here think they could upgrade a monochrome DIS to a colour DIS?

I have worked out that you need a whole new cluster - not so much of issue as i can get a used one from here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290476054347&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I checked the part number and am 99% sure its the one with the colour DIS.

Now, i have spoken with a few 'Audi specialists' and they told me it isn’t something they can do, and that only a main dealer could do it. So, i contacted my local Audi (Birmingham) and was told they couldn’t do it and it wasn’t recommended as it can lead to complications!

So, does anyone on here know of anyway to do this. I don’t have any of the VAG-COM kit required to do this so would need to pay someone to do it.

Thanks

[MFGF]

If you replace the dash insert, you will need to get the immobilizer re-coded, and not many people outside the dealer network can do this. Try someone like Ben at Shark Performance (shark_90 - http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/member.php?u=29381 ) who specialises in this kind of thing.

Regards,

MF.

[richribbon09]

Hi MF,

Thanks for the info - have just tried to PM Shark_90, but as my post count is so low, i cant do it. :(

Anybody fancy PM'ing him on my behalf at all?

Cheers

Rich

[a8 tech]

dealer only as its cp protected and mono chrome is mmi basic+ so its pointless fitting the colour dash without upgrading to mmi high with dvd nav

[MFGF]

Hi Rich,

Just send him an email sales@sharkperformance.co.uk or call direct on either 08712 211281 or 07824 776709

Cheers!

MF.

Edit - just saw A8 Tech's post above, so it looks like a trip to the dealer will be required anyway to remove Component Protection.

[richribbon09]

dealer only as its cp protected and mono chrome is mmi basic+ so its pointless fitting the colour dash without upgrading to mmi high with dvd nav
I have updated the dash and also retro fitted mmi high to 4f a6 but its costly £2000 unless you drop on a damaged vehicle.

Some wires crossed here? I already have the colour dash (and the sat nav) - its the colour DIS (the display between the rev counter and the speedo) that i want updating.

[richribbon09]

Hi Rich,

Just send him an email sales@sharkperformance.co.uk or call direct on either 08712 211281 or 07824 776709

Cheers!

MF.

Edit - just saw A8 Tech's post above, so it looks like a trip to the dealer will be required anyway to remove Component Protection.

Cheers for the info - will email him now.

Wil post back his response.

[richribbon09]

Edit - just saw A8 Tech's post above, so it looks like a trip to the dealer will be required anyway to remove Component Protection.

Thats the problem i think - i have conacted a main Audi dealer (birmingham) and they dont want to touch it! :mad:

[a8 tech]

If you have dvd nav colour mmi and dash then you have colour dis
If you have red screen mmi you have red dash mmi basic plus
The dash is not the immo but its componant protected and it can be fitted then encoded and cp released but you need to change the mileage which cant be done by the dealer.
There are after market programs that can clone the dash/release cp but they are exspensive and very few people own the software.

[kodkod.84]

Yes I am confused why you would have the colour MMI big screen, but not a colour DIS screen. I thought the two would go hand in hand.

[richribbon09]

Yes I am confused why you would have the colour MMI big screen, but not a colour DIS screen. I thought the two would go hand in hand.

Yeah, i was confused as well.

After doing a bit of digging it seems that Audi only made the colour DIS standard in later A6's (C6's) I believe - so a few original 2004\2005 A6's like mine got the monochrome DIS's. :mad:

[richribbon09]

If you have dvd nav colour mmi and dash then you have colour dis

Not in my case - i can post some pictures if you like? it wasnt a retofit of the colour MMI either, it was factory fitted. It just seems that the colour DIS wasnt standard in the first few A6 (C6's) produced, even if they had the colour MMI.


The dash is not the immo but its componant protected and it can be fitted then encoded and cp released but you need to change the mileage which cant be done by the dealer.
There are after market programs that can clone the dash/release cp but they are exspensive and very few people own the software.

I have read the mileage can be reset t match the real mileage using a VAG-COM, not exactly sure how though.

I think the trickiest thing is the immobilser codes.

[a8 tech]

9507

9508

[a8 tech]

you can not adjust the mileage via vag com

vcds and vas can only adjust the mileage upto 50 miles, after this mileage there is no adjustment with either of these tools so you need another program to carry this out

the dash is not the immo, start authorisation is the immo control unit.

The dash needs unlocking and the vin needs writing via cp through start authorisation to match the vin identity of the dash to the vehicle

[richribbon09]

9507

9508

Not sure where you going with the pictures? I do have a colour screen in the dash but the DIS (nothing to do with the MMI) - the little rectangular screen inbetween the speedo and the rev counter - is a monochrome one!

Not sure i can make it any clearer? :confused:

[MFGF]

Not sure where you going with the pictures? I do have a colour screen in the dash but the DIS (nothing to do with the MMI) - the little rectangular screen inbetween the speedo and the rev counter - is a monochrome one!

Not sure i can make it any clearer? :confused:

My last A6 had MMI High (colour screen) but a red DIS. It didn't have any kind of navigation installed though - I specced MMI High as an option when ordering the car. This was a September 2005 (55) car. I think most cars with Nav High came with colour DIS, but I suspect early models may not have.

Cheers!

MF.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[a8 tech]

Not sure where you going with the pictures? I do have a colour screen in the dash but the DIS (nothing to do with the MMI) - the little rectangular screen inbetween the speedo and the rev counter - is a monochrome one!

Not sure i can make it any clearer? :confused:
OK was the nav retro fitted!!!!

[richribbon09]

OK was the nav retro fitted!!!!

No, as stated in my previous posts - the MMI High and DVD Sat nav were factory fitted.

Having a real battle to convince you that Audi did infact produce some early A6's with MMI High and a monochrome DIS eh? :o

[a8 tech]

Convinced, just retrofitted mmi nav to a 2005 4f a6 with colour mmi and red dash. accept my apology

[richribbon09]

Convinced, just retrofitted mmi nav to a 2005 4f a6 with colour mmi and red dash. accept my apology

No Problem - just a shame i can't get anyone to fit a new cluster for me. Neither Audi nor any third party will do it.

Oh well. :(

[richribbon09]

Right, update on this:

I have just purchased a second hand cluster (4F0 920 980 M) colour DIS (I hope! http://audiforum.us/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif) to replace my monochrome DIS cluster.

A few questions:

1) Does anyone have any step by step instructions\rough guide on how to remove the instument cluster? I have done an search but the only info i can find relating to this is for the older A6 (C5) model - which isnt much use.

2) I have organised someone to adjust the mileage and do the coding (Dr Dash!) - but if i put the new cluster in now I assume the car will be driveable while i wait to have it coded?

Thanks in advance for any info.

Rich

[joshA6]

dont try and change the cluster just yet as the immobiliser is built into the cluster iirc. You need to change and program it at the same time and I am sure you will need the clusters security code

[richribbon09]

dont try and change the cluster just yet as the immobiliser is built into the cluster iirc. You need to change and program it at the same time and I am sure you will need the clusters security code

Not sure that is correct? Looks like i have just answered my own question - I have just been reading that the immobiliser is NOT built into the cluster (unlike loads of other audis). Seems this guy did it and the cluster just went into 'Safe' mode but he was still able to drive his car?

http://audiforum.us/c6-platform/11245-instrument-cluster-a6-2007-a.html

[timdave25]

Please keep us up to date as I also have a 2005 MMI (colour main screen) but with Red DIS and would like to live in full colour.

[dandam]

Is it possible to change the main screen to a colour one if you MMI basic ? ?

I'm living my whole life in bed and black ;)

[timdave25]

Note: I found from another forum that the colour DIS for A6 ends with 93x or 98x (I have not tested this so cannot confirm if correct).

[joshA6]

Is it possible to change the main screen to a colour one if you MMI basic ? ?

I'm living my whole life in bed and black ;)


In short..No. you need to go for the MMI high upgrade which is costly. It would need a new headunit, amp, screen, buttons, cd changer justy to get to the basic spec plus a lot of coding. TBH people say it costs around £2k and I don;t thin kit is worth it

[dandam]

In short..No. you need to go for the MMI high upgrade which is costly. It would need a new headunit, amp, screen, buttons, cd changer justy to get to the basic spec plus a lot of coding. TBH people say it costs around £2k and I don;t thin kit is worth it

Thanks, I have decided I like my life in red and black !!:Blush2:

[richribbon09]

Is it possible to change the main screen to a colour one if you MMI basic ? ?


It seems thread hijacking is rife in this forum!! :zx11:

[richribbon09]

Note: I found from another forum that the colour DIS for A6 ends with 93x or 98x (I have not tested this so cannot confirm if correct).

My research has shown that as well - I have purchased a 4F0 920 980 cluster. hopefully wont have any issues with it.

[timdave25]

My research has shown that as well - I have purchased a 4F0 920 980 cluster. hopefully wont have any issues with it.

When are you planning on doing the change over? I have found a cluster with the same part number but would rather wait to buy until I can get confirmation it's correct. There is no point in both of us having an extra red DIS.

[richribbon09]

When are you planning on doing the change over? I have found a cluster with the same part number but would rather wait to buy until I can get confirmation it's correct. There is no point in both of us having an extra red DIS.

Right, the cluster i have purchased is 4F0 920 980 M \ H17 S0660

My research has shown that that this particular cluster has been taken from a 2006 2.0L Diesel A6 (from examing different peoples VAG-COM readings and thier related results).

My car is a 2005 3.0 Diesel A6 but i dont think that will matter. I am 100% sure this has a colour screen and supports Navigation and Phone as well.

I have compared the faces of the two custers and they are identical - i actually think the new one I have has an extra two lights that seem to be related to the air suspension - but mine doesnt have that but i hope it wont be a problem.

I am not sure when i will get this done to be honest - I have found someone to do the software CP coding and the mileage for me..but no one seems to want to help me with the physical bit to remove the old one and put the new one in. As i have said, i would do this myself but dont have anything to go on....:mad:

[timdave25]

... I have found someone to do the software CP coding and the mileage for me..but no one seems to want to help me with the physical bit to remove the old one and put the new one in. As i have said, i would do this myself but dont have anything to go on....:mad:

If you don't mind me asking who is doing the software side of things? Shark Performance? I gave them a ring yesterday morning but they have not returned my call yet.

I thought the physical bit would be the easiest but I have not researched yet, I thought the suround pulls off which would expose the screws holding the cluster in place?

[richribbon09]

If you don't mind me asking who is doing the software side of things? Shark Performance? I gave them a ring yesterday morning but they have not returned my call yet.

I thought the physical bit would be the easiest but I have not researched yet, I thought the suround pulls off which would expose the screws holding the cluster in place?

I contacted an ebay member called doctordiagnostics who said they could code the cluster and adjust the mileage for £185:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AUDI-A3-A4-A6-RS4-REPLACEMENT-LCD-SCREEN-DIS-DISPLAY-VW-/220734599368?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3364ceb0c8

I got a quote from an internet site called 'HappyDayz Ltd' but they quoted me 'roughly' (which means more!!!) £720 for them to supply and fit a new cluster. For them to just code and fit a cluster i purchased it would be a whopping £360!!! Needless to say i have not even bothered replying to them - taking the **** a bit there methinks.

With regards to Shark Performance - i also contacted them ages ago RE: cluster change, but never got a reply. I also tried calling them but they never answered - which means they are not an option for me........the old addage of 'you snooze - you lose' comes into effect here so I wont touch them with a barge pole!

With regards to removing the cluster - after paying 10k for a used car the last thing i want to is to knacker any trim trying to take out the cluster!! If it turns out i cant get it done for a reasonable price then i will simply put the cluster i have brought and stick it on ebay to recoup some of the money i paid for it........then put that towards some new alloys! ;)

I suugest we compare notes on how to remove the cluster?

[a8 tech]

pm sent

open link and down load

[richribbon09]

pm sent

open link and down load

Wow!!!

Many thanks a8 tech - if you are ever in the Sutton Coldfield area i will buy you a few beers! :beerchug:

[kite]

MFGF is in your area.
He may be able to help with coding.

[richribbon09]

MFGF is in your area.
He may be able to help with coding.

Cheers for the info - will see if i can contact him.

[timdave25]

I thought the physical bit would be the easiest but I have not researched yet, I thought the suround pulls off which would expose the screws holding the cluster in place?

DON'T Listen to me! I have just had a look at a picture, it looks like there are screws holding the suround in place. This needs a little more thought :1zhelp:

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqQOKjgE0bnqQIChBN,p+D84Pg~~_12.JPG

[richribbon09]

Woo hoo!

I now have a colour DIS.

Spoke to Ian at Tamworth Audi and he removed the CP and fitted the new DIS for the standard hourly rate (£99).

Everything works fine with the new colour cluster.

So, its official - Audi Wolverhampton and Audi Birmingham do not have a clue what they are talking about!

:biglaugh:

[timdave25]

So it was a simple as removeing the CP?

Did the mileage need to be transfered?

[richribbon09]

So it was a simple as removeing the CP?

Did the mileage need to be transfered?

I wasnt allowed to watch - but Ian at Tamworth Audi (their master tech) said it slotted in without an issue. Only took him an hour to do the CP coding.

He wasnt able to to do the mileage - he said that Audi would not give him the codes....which he was not happy about. I said i should be able to find someone to do it and he agreed it can be done. Not really fussed at the moment as i have made a note of the milage the car was at when it went in and the mileage of the new cluster - so can work out what the mileage is supposed to be when i (eventually) get it done. Not that i mind at the moment - the cluster is showing 40k less miles than the car has actually done! :p

All in all i am over the moon - I now have a colour DIS cluster which was purchased and fitted for an all-in price of £171!! Very pleased. Plus they did a free health check, cleaned out the plenum chamber, greased the door handles and hinges, topped up the washer fluid, replaced a missing valve cap and offered to wash and vacumn the car! Also provided me with a coffee whilst i was waiting!

:beerchug:

[Marzy1357]

pm sent

open link and down load

Could you please send me the link as well?

Thanks