let's say the request is approved and the dealer is the one installing the cluster, will ODIS take care of the mileage?
Any insight on the approval process for the used clusters? Wasn't sure if you needed a certified shop or dealer to do it or if there is another way.
the only way to have a used cluster coded to a different car than that which it originally came in is to have a dealer licensed ODIS. The first part of the process produces a form which needs to be printed out, signed/stamped, and emailed to audi/vw germany. In 1-2 days they approve it (and supply a code) and then the same dealer can finish the retrofit coding.
Take with a grain of salt since it was a couple years ago, but summer 2021 I went the dealer route for putting a used cluster (initially 5G1920891A, later 5G1920791B) into my Mk7.5. A couple things I'll note from the experience for anyone looking to do similarly:
- Keep in mind the revision letter of the part and what it means for your car.
@Lokgolo in your 2015 the "A" should be fine since it was the Mk7's first year, but newer MYs (like my 2019) need the "B" revision in order for the cluster to properly communicate with the ECU (at least for the 920 parts. As
@Cuzoe previously mentioned, the difference between 891 and 791 is just the parking brake indicator symbol afaik.)
- On the dealer side (and again this was mid-late 2021 so things may have changed since then) but there was no approval process/form/anything like that to have them put the used cluster in. I just told them here's a part, can you please install it and remove component protection and do all the immobilizer/KESSY pairing with my keys. They agreed and there were no issues (once I had the right part # in there.) They charged an hr of labor which I think was like $150 or something. (
@Lokgolo not sure where in VA you are but this was at King VW in MD if you're closer to NoVA/DC.)
- I can confirm (do not ask
@Cuzoe how he knows lol) that because it's used there's nothing that can be done about the odometer. If your actual mileage is higher than the mileage in the cluster you can use the bench setup and software that's out there to "drive" the mileage up; I believe the max was something like 150 mph or thereabouts so about 3,600 miles/day increase. If the cluster's miles are higher than your car's, then you're stuck. I shipped my cluster off to a guy in TX (advancedcarelectronics.com, blanking on his name now) who used his bench setup to run the odometer up. He initially advised it wouldn't work but after sending him the mibsolution files he was able to get it going.
I had neither the time, skill, or resources to build a bench setup and get all the right cables and whatnot so for a couple hundred bucks it was a no brainer to me. Kudos to y'all on exploring the DIY stuff, really enjoy following this thread to see how it all progresses!