Nealgobert

Hey All,

I am not sure if anyone has previously accomplished this, but I have just successfully swapped a used cluster into my car while retaining the mileage and oe features. I initially had other plans in mind (wanted the needles), but after my SDS crashed and the used cluster began responding intermittently, I decided to just take a chance and experiment. Ive gained so much knowledge from this website that I wold be happy to contribute and make a writeup if anyone is interested in knowing how to do it....I just need to allow my camera to charge first.

So to review I took a used W211 E55 cluster and installed it into a W209 CLK500. Why you may ask? Well, its all I had to work with for testing...please be easy on me. It was successful-mileage, menus, fuel adaptation, lighting and chimes, even the warnings (when initially plugged in to check the used cluster) went away and now its exactly like my original-only with a different look. ANd remember this involved no coding. Will it work if going from 160mph to 200mph cluster or 7k to 8k tach? I have my doubts. But for anything else, or any other model, I feel confident it will.

grantwoodtx

I'm not too familiar with the W209 but I would suspect that W211 is not that much different in the CANBUS layout.

As far as I know the only way to have a cluster adapt to a 209 or 211 car is:-
a. mileage on the new cluster was less than 1000 mile diffrent from the actual mileage on the car.
OR
b. Cluster was flashed to 0 miles and then adapted.

Both the 209 and 211 have EIS/EZS and CGW modules that retain the mileage. The authoritative source is the EIS/EZS.
CGW can be flashed using SDS offline coding update and then ASSYST/ ASSYST PLUS updated with services performed. EIS/EZS can be flashed but it requires specialized equipment as does the cluster. Essential the Motorola chip has to be unsoldered and flashed with a programmer of some type.

If you ever want to read all you ever didn't want to know about this stuff head over to Digital Kaos

Nealgobert

To test I swapped the E55 cluster into a CLK, it does work on a used (26k mi cluster) without coding. I just swapped the "memory" portion of the cluster and it works as stock- mileage retained. No desoldering/soldering, just unplug that portion from the original cluster and plug it into the cluster being installed and everything works.

grantwoodtx

Details and pics...

Nealgobert

Sure, I'll try to post pictures with details tomorrow evening. I am reluctant to say that this will work when going from E55 to E63 because of differences in tach scales, or going from early to late E55 clusters due to 160 vs 200mph (I'd have to test) but in every other situation it works just fine. In my case E55 to CLK. Where there are differences in scale (example E55 to E63: 7k vs 8k rpm) im sure coding would take care of the details. For drastic changes such as w203 swapped to w209 I would have to do more testing (likely wouldn't work). Simply put, each cluster has a section that retains all the information, such as mileage and options. I'm just swapping that part (which is as easy as unplugging from old/plugging into new).

pearlpower

That would be a first I heard of this........But I'm not too familiar with the W209 swap either.

xpl0sive

whats the "memory" position you're referring to? i tried putting a used cluster into my CLS and the mileage would show up for 5 secs, the cluster's old mileage, not the cars, then it would go to "--------"

Nealgobert

I'll post pictures when I get a chance...it's the board at the rear of the cluster with the vehicle plug on it. Pull the cluster out, remove the trim and glass cover, then remove the rear housing- its the first board you see. All the internal components plug into it (best way I can describe it).

c240classic

Any luck with the pictures yet ? I need to replace my cluster. Thanks!

berti_00

yah any pics of doing this?? seems easy to just swap out the memories

flysurge

Any more info on this?? I have an e500 w211 with a speedo with kilometers on the face....would like to swap out cluster to one with mph, but need to retain old mileage.

Nealgobert

PM sent

flysurge

Well, just in case anyone is interested. I did just what was told....I got a cluster from a wreck, opened and removed the board that the plug connects to and replaced with the board from my cluster...all works perfect and the mileage followed without a hitch.

Thank you

shardul

iTrader: (1)

can you post pictures of what board you transferred?

Nealgobert

Glad to hear it worked for you!

fishgreezclk

Please post a pic or send me a pm with what board you mean...is there only one board in there?
Please post something that will cue me into what you mean!
Thanks!

Nealgobert

Send me a pm with your email and ill send a pic with info.

fishgreezclk

Pm sent...thanks @ nealgobert!!

tbradley70

There's a pic in the thread titled cluster disassembly

Wli

So swapping the three boards of the second-hand cluster with the vehicle's orginal boards would get the correct odometer reading and everything else? -W211

shardul

iTrader: (1)

Yes it will

Wli

Should i also swap the two side boards or just the center PCB?

mrbobs686

The center board is the one with the chip that holds the mileage. If you want to swap the whole internal cluster assembly - gauges and all into your old housing, you certainly can. If it were me, I'd want to keep the lens half of the housing that looks the best. And, I'd keep it paired with the rear half.

Just FYI, my issue was that my clock stopped. I could set it in the menu and it would keep time (in the menu), but the clock was stuck at 11:20. So, I bought a whole identical cluster. First, I swapped it just to be sure the clock worked. The mileage showed for a few seconds, then went to '------'. I expected that. Then, I changed the rear center board only. My mileage then displayed, but the clock didn't work! F**K! Ok, swap back, and the center board from the replacement cluster - connected to my old gauges - made the frickken clock work! So... it is something on my original center board causing the clock to fail. Well, the new cluster had 173k and mine has 166k. In 7,000 miles, I'll swap the new center board in. Pain in both sides of the butt! -Robert

mrbobs686

I'm within 1,000 miles, but I am going to wait and try to be within 100, or even match it. Results to follow.

Mackhack

If you need to have a used cluster virginized to be able to marry it with your own car for a cluster swap contact me via PM.

If the used new cluster has less miles than your current cluster DO NOT connect the cluster until the cluster is virgin again.

If you ignore this, your EIS will take over the lower miles and cause chaos. It is also illegal to lower your mileage.