what year car

 

as far as i understand, you will need to re-code the ecu to recognize the new cluster. ask "theamazingdave", he did a cluster swap sometime ago.

 

I bought a replacement instrument cluster and matching key(with chip) all from the same car. It is exactly the same model as mine.

Please clarify; is the car the same model or are the cluster part numbers the same? Makes a huge difference, as two seemingly identical cars can have a different electronic system.

What is the part number of the instrument cluster that came out of the car?

What is the part number of the instrument cluster that you put back into your car?

If your car is a different Immobilizer version, the key you bought is useless. There's ways around the cluster's Immobilizer check as long as the key's version matches the ECU. But that only works under the following circumstances.

If your car is Immo. 2, you can use Immo. 2 or 3 clusters, but using the Immo. 3 cluster will yield a permanent Immobilizer warning on the cluster's display. Most cover the LED with electrical tape and the message disappears after a few seconds.

If your car is Immo. 3, which I believe it likely is from your description, you will need to adapt the cluster to the car. For this, you need your car's Secret Key Code as well as the SKC of the new cluster. You need to connect to the cluster with VAG-COM, enter the new cluster's SKC into the login field, and then go to the appropriate adaptation channel, where you must program your car's original SKC into the new cluster. Only then can you reprogram your keys to the car, and it will start and run like normal. You will absolutely require both Secret Key Codes if your car is Immo. 3.

 

Thanks so much, i will get the numbers for you of both clusters. It is a 2002 Passat 1.8T Tip FWD

 

OK, i finally got all the numbers as requested.
Original cluster-
Rear- VDO 110.080.198/007
Bottom- VWZ7ZOA4467554 VO6 00.92 06.60
3BO920 927B
Built- 121101

New Cluster-
Rear- VDO 110.080.198/007
Bottom- VWZ7ZOA4396267 VO6 00.92 06.60
3B0920 927B
Built- 231001

From what i am gathering these clusters are fairly close matches. If i can get the matching ECU do you think it will be ok?

 

Are the ECUs not the same part number?

 

Both of those clusters are Immobilizer 3, which means your car is Immobilizer 3.

If the donor car was the same engine and same drivetrain, you should be able to get the ECU from the same car that the cluster came from, and use the Immobilizer chip in the key you purchased from the donor car, and it may work.

Keep in mind that the Immo.3 cluster and the Immo. 3 ECU are coded together, and will not function if their codes do not match. While using the ECU from the cluster donor's car may work in theory, I can't tell you if it would affect anything else in the real world. Also, it could end up costing way more than necessary unless you can get the guaranteed matched ECU for a really good price.

What I can tell you, with absolute certainty, is that you will need the Secret Key code of the donor car and your car to program your new cluster to your car. No one has these codes, basically, and the dealer will not give it to you. For the past few years now, they can't even see it themselves, it's all automated through the VW scan tools. However, you can get a program and cable called VAG-TACHO which will let you scan the SKCs, program cluster mileage, and change other cluster firmware settings if you want to do any software mods. This is by far the best approach for you now.

I would hit up VWVortex (actually, I did when I was in the same boat) and ask around for someone with VAG-TACHO that can help you out. Or if you look around a bit, you can find a version for around ~$50 and have your own cable/software for future use.