Changing mileage and speedo cluster from KMH-MPH for none UK cars

[Shazad]

Hi Everyone,


I regularly import a lot of VW/Audi vehicles from Japan—models like the Polo, A3, etc. Many of them just need the mileage changed from kilometers to miles and the speedo swapped over using a UK donor cluster. For example, Polos like the 6R and 6C usually require a UK cluster that’s then programmed to match the imported car, along with adjusting the mileage.


I currently have someone who does this for me, but the only issue is that he's quite far away—it’s about a 4-hour round trip each time to drop off and pick up the clusters.


I'd love to learn how to do this myself (but unfortunately, he's not willing to share how it's done). I’m a bit of a DIY junkie and really enjoy learning this sort of stuff.


Does anyone here know how this process works, or can recommend any training courses or resources where I could learn? I’m based around the London/Kent area.


Any help or suggestions would be really appreciated!


Thanks in advance,
Shaz

 

[JeniCzech92]

For recent cars (MQB platform and newer), this cannot be done with VCDS alone. The cluster is part of component protection mechanism, and also integrates immobilizer. Both of these features needs to be paired correctly via online procedure that is unavailable to VCDS users - only dealer-level tool has access to this.

 

[Shazad]

For recent cars (MQB platform and newer), this cannot be done with VCDS alone. The cluster is part of component protection mechanism, and also integrates immobilizer. Both of these features needs to be paired correctly via online procedure that is unavailable to VCDS users - only dealer-level tool has access to this.

Hi Jeni, that's what I'm trying to find out how to do it, obviously it requires some kind of training, what's the name of the dealer tool that you mentioned is required for this procedure.

 

[JeniCzech92]

The dealer tool is ODIS-S, requires genuine interface, or at least a quality clone to work. Additionally you need to be registered in VW GeKo system to connect your ODIS-S to VW servers. There is no way around it the way it is implemented - the component presents a challenge to the CAN gateway, the CAN gateway must respond correctly to this challenge to unlock component protection. To respond to the challenge, the CAN gateway needs to know a key that could be generated only by VW - the generation process depends on a knowledge of a "master key" - a key that is safe and secure on VW servers and never directly shared.

Another possible way to work this around would be to modify the firmware so the CP and immo is disabled, another not so easy feat, it's been known to happen on certain infotainment modules, but afaik not possible on clusters.

 

[Crasher]

ODIS can't change the mileage on a used cluster, only new upto 100Km. For this job you need tools that are generally used for nefarious purposes.

 

[JeniCzech92]

But can ODIS pair the used cluster's CP/immo? If yes, it may be possible to roll it up with CAN emulator to factual mileage, at the very least. I think that's what happening when someone claims he can refit used cluster if the mileage is lower.

 

[Crasher]

I have been able to pair used clusters with ODIS and then some won't, just like engine ECU's, some will, some won't... rather like women.

 

[Shazad]

ODIS can't change the mileage on a used cluster, only new upto 100Km. For this job you need tools that are generally used for nefarious purposes.

This guy I use for conversion, does use old clusters which I buy from eBay and provide him, the only condition for the cluster to be used for is the last latter at the end of the part number should be E or above, for example PN for cluster:6R0920960H ends with H, this type of cluster can be modified, I've also heard he’s just changing the mileage to MPH in original clusters and changing the dials over and him getting us to buy the cluster is just him trying to keep us in a loop, this is something I do when I do for imported BMW F10 clusters use a dial from UK spec BMW and change the mileage in cluster ECU.

 

[Uwe]

rather like women.

Now, some they do and some they don't
And some you just can't tell
And some they will and some they won't
With some, it's just as well

(Sorry, couldn't resist)

-Uwe-

 

[Crasher]

The 70’s may have been a grim and dire time to be a teenager in the UK but the music and social attitudes are something I long for; ohh and the simplicity of life

 

[EuroX]

I can do them all this includes used cluster, ecm,bcm and everything in between. It can be done. Tools knowledge and skills are required. Tools are not cheap neither is knowledge. For imported cars I would say it's probably easier to just transfer the speedo scale and the speedo gauge face into existing cluster to cut costs down rather than deal with all that none sense of adapting a diferent cluster and so on. Can be done everything has a price. FYI i'm pretty certain most newer vw and audi vehicles immo is not part of the cluster. CP removal is only needed. It does all depend on year make and model but for the most part anything past 2015-2021 is CP removal only.

Immo,CP, odometer can all be matched. Not using ODIS or VCDS because they simply cannot do it all. But yes it's all possible. No good electrical engineer is going to share their secrets and knowledge for free when it can take years sometimes to decrypt data as well as figure out what's what when no tools are available for a certain cluster, ecm or any other module.

 

[EuroX]

The best tool is always brain.exe

 

[Shazad]

I can do them all this includes used cluster, ecm,bcm and everything in between. It can be done. Tools knowledge and skills are required. Tools are not cheap neither is knowledge. For imported cars I would say it's probably easier to just transfer the speedo scale and the speedo gauge face into existing cluster to cut costs down rather than deal with all that none sense of adapting a diferent cluster and so on. Can be done everything has a price. FYI i'm pretty certain most newer vw and audi vehicles immo is not part of the cluster. CP removal is only needed. It does all depend on year make and model but for the most part anything past 2015-2021 is CP removal only.

Immo,CP, odometer can all be matched. Not using ODIS or VCDS because they simply cannot do it all. But yes it's all possible. No good electrical engineer is going to share their secrets and knowledge for free when it can take years sometimes to decrypt data as well as figure out what's what when no tools are available for a certain cluster, ecm or any other module.

Thank you for your detailed reply, I had mentioned that, maybe this person is changing the mileage on the original cluster from KMH to MPH and then just changing the dials over, if this can be done with VDCS with original cluster in the car that will be sufficient enough for me, if yes then how can this be done. Thank you for your assistance.

 

[EuroX]

Thank you for your detailed reply, I had mentioned that, maybe this person is changing the mileage on the original cluster from KMH to MPH and then just changing the dials over, if this can be done with VDCS with original cluster in the car that will be sufficient enough for me, if yes then how can this be done. Thank you for your assistance.

This cannot be done using VCDS because vcds does not read internal eeprom or mcu data where its able to be edited. Also without knowing where to look for the specific data it will be hard to accomplish this. Many have tried and failed, most bricking clusters in the process. Some clsuters have data within a mcu other in a eeprom other utilize both. Most are secured and or have a checksum value which must be calculated. It is not an easy task, in any case VCDS will not help you other than possibly adaption procedure and coding for older vehicles if you have a pin code. Other specialized tools are needed.