Thread: Understanding differences between Audi A4 clusters and the compatibility issues

Disclaimer. The information on this post is for informational purposes only.
This post and all of the information it contains are provided 'as is' without warranty of any kind, whether express or implied.
The wiring information was taken from "Bentley Publishers CD and Hardcover copy", there may be omissions or inaccuracies in information contained in this post. Before making any decision or taking any action based on the information contained in this Post, you should double/triple check information regards to the vehicle you service.
If you found that the information is inaccurate and you have found the solution post it up and I will update the post.

*Updated* additional information provided by user regards to upgrading Cluster 2 from non-lcd to LCD cluster.

Couple people ask me if I can show the differences between instrument clusters from 1996 to 2001.5

The photo below shows all 3 instrument clusters from 1996 to 2001.5 with Full size LCD, some models didn't come with LCD screen because of the package was not selected during ordering of the car.


Here is the back of the instrument clusters.


You can see the difference between all the clusters the cluster 1 is CDN metric (I didn't have MPH cluster) the other two are MPH

Cluster 1 was installed in 1996 and 1997 Audi A4 early models , no immobilizer the most visible difference is if you look at the analog clock has no digits at 3, 6, 9, at 12 o'clock comparing to cluster 2
Cluster 2 was installed in 1998 to 1999.5 Audi A4 models, , you could swap cluster between these years with no issues, no immobilizer.
Cluster 3 was installed in 2000 to 2001.5 Audi A4 models,some 99.5's with VIN > 8DY000001 had cluster with digital clock, the main difference was the analog clock was replaced with digital clock to match the mileage LCD (North American B5 cars didn't have immobilizer, only European B5 had)

NOW COMPATIBILITY

Legend

• Cluster 1 is 1996-1997 (no immobilizer, no Can-Bus)
• Cluster 2 is 1998-1999.5 (no immobilizer, no Can-Bus)
• Cluster 3 is 2000 to 2001.5 (00+ had no immobilizer but Can-Bus was introduced as of 2000, )

Cluster 2, and cluster 3 can not fit directly into cluster 1, because cluster 1 has different plugs , in order to fit you need to buy new plugs and new pins and rewire connections.
I know two people who proceed with this conversion one did the cluster 2 to cluster 1 and had partially working cluster,
all the gauges were working however compatibility was an issue and error codes were reported cluster did not understand modules in the car, other did cluster 3 to cluster 1 and had only partial success two gauges were working , all the lights were lit up like Christmas tree .

Cluster 3 can be installed into cluster 2 however some rewiring is required to both blue and green plugs and the middle plug from cluster 3 doesn't fit cluster 2 which you need to rewire as well,

Can Bus was introduced in some early 2000+ models which meant that vehicle in 1998-1999 didn't have can-bus and some clusters from 2001-2001.5 didn't work the tachometer or speedometer was not functional , that all depends on the version of the image software that cluster was loaded with.

If your car came originally without center LCD , you can swap the cluster with LCD however in order to change menus on the screen you need to buy new wiper arm with multi-function switch and add wires between the cluster and wiper arm


you will need the wiper control arm that has a switch at the end wiper arm to change menus on center LCD

for 1996 to 1997 Cluster 1
you need wiper arm
part# 8D9 953 503 A (sedan)
part# 8D9 953 503 C (Avant)
for 1998 to 2001.5 Cluster 2, and Cluster 3
Part# 4D0 953 503 B (sedan)
part# 8D0 953 503 D (Avant)

There are 3 sets of wires required for wiper arm control harness plug and for the instrument cluster harness plug for the Grey Connector on Cluster 3, and red connector of Cluster 2 , black connector on cluster
I recommend to buy wires from Audi/VW dealer
On cluster 1
You need to insert wires into black 20 pin connector on instrument cluster and to 6 pin harness plug on the wiper arm
Black connector Pin 11 to wiper arm pin 1
Black connector Pin 14 to wiper arm pin 3
Black connector Pin 18 to wiper arm pin 4
Pin 2 on the wiper arm is ground
5, 6 are not used

On cluster 2
-added a wire between the longer ECU connector, pin 17 (yellow wire), to pin 1 on the RED instrument cluster connector
-grounded pins 9, 16, 19 on the RED instrument cluster connector since I don't need bulb out warnings or low washer fluid warning (this worked)

You need to insert wires into red 20 pin connector on instrument cluster and to 6 pin harness plug on the wiper arm
Red connector Pin 18 to wiper arm pin 1
Red connector Pin 14 to wiper arm pin 2
Red connector Pin 11 to wiper arm pin 4
Pin 3 on the wiper arm is ground , I just made a short segment and connected it to the wire coming off Pin 5
Pin 5: ground for the intermittent wiper selector on top of the wiper arm
Pin 6: feedback wire for position of the intermittent wiper selector

For people who have a no-LCD cluster, pins 5 and 6 on the wiper arm will already exist, and they are supposed to exist while using the LCD cluster too. They should not be removed.


Cluster 3
you need to insert wires into Grey connector on the instrument cluster and to 6 pin harness plug on the wiper arm
Grey Connector pin 17 to wiper arm pin 4
Grey Connector pin 18 to wiper arm pin 3
Grey Connector pin 19 to wiper arm pin 1
Pin 2 on the wiper arm is ground
5, 6 are not used

How do I know if I do or don't have immobilizer ?


Answer regards Color LCD


Here are Pin out for clusters with Full Size LCD
cluster 1

26-Pin Connector, Blue
1 - Open
2 - Signal for buzzer
3 - Terminal 15
4 - Terminal 15
5 - Open
6 - Terminal 61
7 - Parking brake/brake system malfunction
8 - ABS (input signal)
9 - Airbag (input signal)
10 - CAT
11 - Open
12 - Open
13 - Parking light, right
14 - Ignition switch, S-contact
15 - Chime signal
16 - Open
17 - Open
18 - Oil pressure 1.8 bar
19 - Terminal 58d
20 - Coolant level
21 - Turn signal, right
22 - Headlight high beams
23 - Speedometer Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) (checking → Chapter)
24 - Brake fluid
25 - Brake pads
26 - Parking light, left

26-Pin Connector, Yellow

1 - Terminal 58
2 - Terminal 58
3 - Engine RPM signal
4 - Air conditioner compressor
5 - Clock (output)
6 - Speed signal 1
7 - Speed signal 2
8 - Door contact (driver's door)
9 - Terminal 30
10 - Terminal 30
11 - Open
12 - Fuel tank warning
13 - Turn signal, left
14 - Open
15 - Open
16 - Seat belt buckle switch
17 - Open
18 - Terminal 31
19 - Terminal 31
20 - Diagnostic wire
21 - Open
22 - Open
23 - Open
24 - Open
25 - Sender for fuel gauge
26 - Engine coolant temperature sensor

20-Pin Connector, Black
1 - Fuel consumption signal
2 - Open
3 - Open
4 - Open
5 - Outside air temperature
6 - Selector lever display
7 - Open
8 - Open
9 - Coolant level
10 - Hydraulic pressure
11 - Trip computer - Reset
12 - Radio/Telephone - Clock
13 - Radio/Telephone - Data
14 - Trip computer (forward sequence)
15 - Radio/Telephone - Enable
16 - Rear lights/headlight low beams
17 - Open
18 - Trip computer (reverse sequence)
19 - Brake lights
20 - Open

4-Pin Connector, Black
1 - Oil temperature sensor
2 - Open
3 - Open
4 - Open

cluster 2

32-Pin Connector for Basic Functions, Blue
1 - Terminal 15
2 - Turn signal, right
3 - Speedometer output 1
4 - Open
5 - Sender for fuel gauge
6 - Airbag
7 - Terminal 31 sensor Ground (GND)
8 - Coolant temperature
9 - Terminal 31 load Ground (GND)
10 - Oil pressure switch
11 - Engine speed (RPM) signal
12 - Terminal 61
13 - CAT
14 - Self leveling suspension
15 - Terminal 58d
16 - Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
17 - High beam
18 - Turn signal, left
19 - ABS
20 - Terminal 58s
21 - Door contact (driver's door)
22 - Engine coolant low
23 - Terminal 30
24 - Terminal 31 load Ground (GND)
25 - K-wire
26 - Parking light, right
27 - Parking light, left
28 - Speedometer (input)
29 - Brake fluid level/pressure
30 - S-contact
31 - Seat belt buckle
32 - Electronic Stability Program (ESP)


32-Pin Connector for Additional Functions, Green
1 - Open
2 - Open
3 - Open
4 - Open
5 - W-wire
6 - Tailgate (Lowline model only)
7 - Brake pad (Highline model only)
8 - Input for outside buzzer control (currently not assigned)
9 - Input for outside chime control (currently not assigned)
10 - Low fuel level warning-output signal for Engine Control Module (ECM)
11 - Standing time output
12 - Air conditioning cutout
13 - Parking brake
14 - Electronic throttle
15 - Side marker light
16 - Open
17 - Open
18 - Open
19 - Open
20 - Open
21 - Oil temperature
22 - Open
23 - Open
24 - Open
25 - Open
26 - Open
27 - Open
28 - Open
29 - Open
30 - Speedometer output 2
31 - Open
32 - Open


20-Pin Connector for Multi-Function Display, Red
1 - Fuel consumption signal
2 - Open
3 - Open
4 - Open
5 - Outside air temperature
6 - Selector lever display
7 - Open
8 - Open
9 - Washer fluid
10 - Hydraulic pressure
11 - Trip computer reset
12 - Clock signal for radio frequency display
13 - Data signal for radio frequency display
14 - Trip computer (forward sequence)
15 - Enable signal for radio frequency display
16 - Tail lights/headlight low beam (indicator lights)
17 - Open
18 - Trip computer (reverse sequence)
19 - Brake lights
20 - Open

Cluster 3

Blue 32-Pin Multi-Pin Connector for Basic Functions
1 - Terminal 15
2 - Brake pad wear
3 - Tachometer output 1
4 - not occupied
5 - Tank sensor
6 - Tank warning OBD 2
7 - Terminal 31 (sensor Ground (GND))
8 - Coolant temperature
9 - Terminal 31 (load Ground (GND))
10 - Oil pressure 2 (high)
11 - RPM signal
12 - A/C shut-off
13 - E-Gas/glow plug control
14 - Level control
15 - Terminal 58d
16 - Trailer turn signal
17 - High beam
18 - Left turn signal
19 - not occupied
20 - Terminal 58s
21 - Driver door contact
22 - Low coolant
23 - Terminal 30
24 - Terminal 31 (load Ground (GND))
25 - Consumption signal
26 - Right parking light
27 - Left parking light
28 - Tachometer input
29 - Brake
30 - S-contact
31 - Tachometer output 2
32 - ESP/ASR


Green 32-Pin Multi-Pin Connector for Auxiliary Functions
1 - Door contact (all doors)
2 - Transponder 1
3 - not occupied
4 - not occupied
5 - W-wire
6 - Tailgate
7 - Right turn signal
8 - External buzzer
9 - External gong
10 - Airbag
11 - Stand-still time output
12 - Terminal 61
13 - Parking brake/BRAKE
14 - CHECK
15 - Oil level/oil temperature
16 - not occupied
17 - Transponder 2
18 - CAN high speed (powertrain) (high +)
19 - CAN high speed (powertrain) (low -)
20 - CAN high speed (powertrain) (screen)
21 - ABS
22 - CAN low speed (comfort) (high +)
23 - CAN low speed (comfort) (low -)
24 - CAN low speed (comfort) (screen)
25 - Engine lid
26 - not occupied
27 - Belt buckle
28 - K-wire
29 - Outside temperature -input
30 - not occupied
31 - Selector range display
32 - not occupied


Gray 32-Pin Multi-Pin Connector for Multi-Function Display
1 - Menu selection switch (menu)
2 - Menu selection switch (out A)
3 - Menu selection switch (out B)
4 - Menu selection switch (Enter)
5 - CAN high speed display (high +)
6 - CAN high speed display (low -)
7 - CAN high speed display (screen)
8 - Passenger door contact
9 - Right rear door contact
10 - Left rear door contact
11 - Enable
12 - Clock
13 - Data
14 - Brake light
15 - Windshield washer fluid level
16 - Rear lights/low beams
17 - Left board computer
18 - Right board computer
19 - Board computer, reset
20 - not occupied
21 - not occupied
22 - not occupied
23 - Button branch 1 navigation
24 - Button branch 2 navigation
25 - Button branch Telematic
26 - not occupied
27 - not occupied
28 - not occupied
29 - not occupied
30 - not occupied
31 - not occupied
32 - not occupied

Wiper Switch Pin, Terminal Assignments
A - 6-pin connector

1 - Board computer, reset
2 - Board computer, Terminal 31
3 - Board computer, right rocker switch
4 - Board computer, left rocker switch
5 - open
6 - open
B - 13-pin harness connector

1 - Wiper switch, terminal J
2 - Wiper switch, terminal 53 c
3 - Emergency light (hazard light) switch, terminal R
4 - Wiper switch, terminal 53 b
5 - Wiper switch, terminal 53 a
6 - Emergency light (hazard light) switch, terminal L
7 - Emergency light (hazard light) switch, terminal 49 a
8 - Wiper switch, terminal 53 e
9 - Wiper switch, terminal 53


Can I install Audi A6/S6/RS6 cluster into Audi A4/S4 ?

The cluster will fit ,the Audi A6 cluster looks the same , however you will run to problems with compatibility .*

1) Audi A6/S6/RS6 have different fuel tank size than A64 so your fuel gauge will not be accurate ,*
2) Audi A6/S6/RS6 dimmer is control by a dimmer switch near headlight , Audi A4 is control by the knob on cluster , you will not be able to control dimmer
3) Software compatibility , each cluster are preloaded with different software versions, so depends on the version one or more gauges (tachometer or speedometer) will not function properly or not at all.*
Best recommendation is to stay with the same cluster from the same model series .*



If you have questions please post them here and I will answer them to best of my ability.

I didn't have MPH cluster for Cluster 1 the only difference is the speedometer chart.

in order to remove needles, you need to pull up and move them counter clockwise ,
the led's are soldered to the board, if you plane to change LED to different color I don't recommend to change them, I would get plasma overlay instead.
the after market led's don't last long , and will burn out quickly

Nice writeup! But, I am certain there is more compatability. My A4 is a early 1999 1.8T with no center LCD. I swapped a cluster from a 2000 with the LCD and everything worked fine.


(Sorry for the crap cell phone pics & flash. I also did a DIN2 swap in the car. I am a EARLY 99 )

Old cluster- stock 99 red/red illumination- analog clock ect



New cluster- 2000 A4 1.8t white numbers/red needles- digital clock

[QUOTE=A4Rob;6050693]Nice writeup! But, I am certain there is more compatability. My A4 is a early 1999 1.8T with no center LCD. I swapped a cluster from a 2000 with the LCD and everything worked fine.


Yes it will work but there are wiring differences, what happened to the middle plug did you buy grey plug for 2000 cluster ?
example
the blue and green plug pin layout is different between 1998-1999 and 1999.5 and 2001.5 cars some pins are identical which most of the functions work for you, but some are missing which probably not required.

This doesn't make sense. I have a 99.5 and it has the analog clock. I also test drove another 99.5 and it had an analog clock. In fact, I have never seen a 99.5 with a digital clock.

My cluster:

[QUOTE=NeedingAnAudi;6050813]This doesn't make sense. I have a 99.5 and it has the analog clock. I also test drove another 99.5 and it had an analog clock. In fact, I have never seen a 99.5 with a digital clock.

half year of 1999 was a change for Audi A4 lot of facelifts and changes happen, some cars came with analog clock , some came with digital clock those that were built close to year 2000, they should of wait until 2000 year model and do complete changes

No it's not,
you need to remove cover it is just press fitted , behind it there two screws that hold the cluster , remove them then the cluster can be pull out, and changing bulb just use small plier turn and pull the bulb and install new one in,

the trim cover in front of the cluster

I know 99 was a facelift year, that's why I have a 99.5 and not a 99. I've just never seen a 99.5 with a digital clock and wanted some proof that they did.

You need new wiper arm with multi selection switch, and need wires for wiring into cluster plug harness and into wiper arm harness plug

I did none of that. FYI, I have no wiper motor, or linkage.

If you are going off of Audi's years on when those clusters came out. I'll tell you. My 99.5 is a VERY late 99 and no 99.5 have digital clocks. What Audi does is go off of chassis number, they dont tell you that the car was put out as a 00 and registered as such with a title and vin and all to match 00, along with wiring, options, etc. No 99.5 had digital clocks.

Just like if you call the dealer and talk to them about engine wiring, they will tell you Audi says ME7 fits 99-01.. which we all know 99.5 still had AEB and they also say some 00's had AWM's.. what it is is Chassis code, not actual vin of the year THEY put the car out as.

When going from analog to digital, you have to rewire or swap dash harnesses, the plugs are nowhere near the same.

for example, 98.5-99.5 analog clusters have 2 32 pins and 1 10 pin red connector. LCD is 2 32 pins and 1 20 pin. 00-01.5 (02 for s4's) all were 3 32 pin connectors.

Also no b5 a4, regardless how late it is, came with Immo. I have a 99.5 and a June/01 built 01.5 and neither have IMMO.

http://pixelfix.info/ can fix it. its a 200 ish dollar service from anyone who's reputable.

That cluster working for you?

Along with all of the dummy light clusters, including the 6 dummy light version, although my cluster chimes once if a door is open but there is no visual warning.

nice wright up....

Very good write up.

If anybody else has photos of the earlier cluster, you should share. I think it would be great for this thread to have a photo of every version.

Great thread.

Woah. I never knew early models had analog clocks.

This has enough info and pics to easily make it into the FAQ section.

I have an Audi A4 B5 Facelift 99.5 (built in June 1999) and it has analog clock + no BC like NeedingAnAudi posted pic :/

Offtopic can someone tell me, in PM, how can i tell if my car or something else, has can-bus protocol? And what protocol do i have if its not canbus??

I really need to know how to spot it. Ty...

you can read about can-bus here
http://canbuskit.com/what.php http://canbuskit.com/what.php
it will give you idea what is the difference between non-canbus and canbus system
your car probably don't have Canbus, in Europe can bus was introduced year earlier then North American cars, those with digital clock in europe have can bus, easiest way to check if you have original radio remove it and look at the pin diagram those that have CAn will have pins label with CAN if you don't see it you don't have it

If you have an analog clock you also have an AEB with a good old fashioned mechanical throttle body. If you also have the nicer door handles, side blinkers, headlights, etc. then you have a 99.5 which has the body of a 2000 and the older electrical and mechanical guts. If you have a digital clock, drive by wire throttle body, big ass radio, and other CAN-BUS type stuff then you didn't get the AEB but everything else is pretty snazzy. We'll call you a 2000.

The actual born on date is arbitrary. The model year as we're referencing it pertains to when the lines were stocked with different parts. They updated the exterior about half a year before updating the electronics, drivetrain, and interior.

99.5 is the way to be y'all.

99.5 FTW!

I've owned a 99, but my facelift is soo much nicer...