Procedure for coding replacement instrument cluster?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 277
Likes: 77
From: Alexandria, VA
2000 E430 Sport
The 10.25 works with NTG4 (I use it with NTG4). When ordering you specify which NTG version you have. What doesn't work with NTG4, at least so far as I have seen, are the carplay specific addon boxes, like the Unichip, that interface with the existing comand system including the OEM screen.
The only thing not NTG4-ish about my 10.25 android screen is my default android wallpaper is silver colored. But like any android device, changing wallpaper on the 10.25 is trivial. I just haven't found a gold one yet and am too lazy to make one.
Carplay is a separate USB dongle that you can get for any of the android radios (you can find them on Amazon). Carplay is not a built in function of the 10.25 android screen. My particular dongle after upgrading my 10.25 screen and the dongle firmware has been acting up.
The only thing not NTG4-ish about my 10.25 android screen is my default android wallpaper is silver colored. But like any android device, changing wallpaper on the 10.25 is trivial. I just haven't found a gold one yet and am too lazy to make one.
Carplay is a separate USB dongle that you can get for any of the android radios (you can find them on Amazon). Carplay is not a built in function of the 10.25 android screen. My particular dongle after upgrading my 10.25 screen and the dongle firmware has been acting up.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 117
Likes: 25
From: Laguna Hills, CA and Himeji, Japan
2011 W212
Perhaps a different dongle+apk will work, or trying to revert with the 10.25 screen software and/or dongle firmware to their former selves. Problem is, I don't know what the difference is between the different dongles and their apks so I would just be throwing $40-$60 a pop at the problem looking for a carplay solution that may never be. The dongles are all "white box" type parts. It isn't like there are known chipsets or software packages that work while others don't. Even branding can be vague. My box is called "Autobox" but information on it is limited.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
CLK CABRIOLET AVANTGARDE SPORT, A-Class 180, Peugeott 207 CC Cabriolet, Kawasaki ZX 10R
What OBD tools are you used I need virginized W205?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 1,012
'11 E350, '11 E550, '98 M3, '95 E320
Take this with a grain of salt...
When my instrument cluster starting acting up, it appeared totally dead, no lights, no gauges, nothing. I checked for powers, grounds and CAN... all good. I started to think the cluster just died and planned to buy a used unit for testing and replacement if it worked.
In speaking with my friend, who happens to be a tech at MB and never steered me wrong... he cautioned me in buying a used unit thinking I could copy over the coding/mileage. He said after a certain mileage, the cluster is permanently "married" to its vehicle and cannot be "virginized" using MB diagnostic tools. I can't remember, but it was very low mileage. If the cluster was of less mileage, then the swap was simple using Xentry.
If the cluster had more miles, then the only way he knew was swapping EPROMs or finding someone who know how to "virginize" the cluster using non-MB tools.
When my instrument cluster starting acting up, it appeared totally dead, no lights, no gauges, nothing. I checked for powers, grounds and CAN... all good. I started to think the cluster just died and planned to buy a used unit for testing and replacement if it worked.
In speaking with my friend, who happens to be a tech at MB and never steered me wrong... he cautioned me in buying a used unit thinking I could copy over the coding/mileage. He said after a certain mileage, the cluster is permanently "married" to its vehicle and cannot be "virginized" using MB diagnostic tools. I can't remember, but it was very low mileage. If the cluster was of less mileage, then the swap was simple using Xentry.
If the cluster had more miles, then the only way he knew was swapping EPROMs or finding someone who know how to "virginize" the cluster using non-MB tools.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 13
2005 G500
Skeechan, I am in the So Cal area, I have a 2005 G500 and I bought a new 2011 G550 Cluster that is virgin since my original is fading out. I need my mileage put in it and the programming so that the fuel gauge will work as the light. If you are able to do this I would be more than happy to pay for your service. Is there anyway I can drive the truck to you and you can knock this out? Thank you in advance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 1,483
From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
Skeechan, I am in the So Cal area, I have a 2005 G500 and I bought a new 2011 G550 Cluster that is virgin since my original is fading out. I need my mileage put in it and the programming so that the fuel gauge will work as the light. If you are able to do this I would be more than happy to pay for your service. Is there anyway I can drive the truck to you and you can knock this out? Thank you in advance.
this is the W212 (2010-2016 E class) forum, you probably want the Gelandewagen forum, here... https://mbworld.org/forums/g-class-w460-w461-w463-19/
butttt, i'm pretty sure the level of recoding you're asking for is something only a dealer could do.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2011 E350 4Matic
Does anyone have the contact info for Chris at CKM? I want to virginize and code a used color cluster off a 2012 w212 with my current cluster's settings (2011). Any help is much appreciated.
Last edited by weiser21; Nov 26, 2023 at 12:11 PM. Reason: rephrased question
