digital dash swap

[olds350]

OK, my google-foo sucks and I can't find what I'm looking for. I'm sure there's a topic on here. I'm looking for info on swapping in a digital dash on my 128. My concern is buying the right product and making sure I install correctly. If you can point me in the right direction would be appreciated.

[jdog006]

I can't specifically answer your question. But maybe I can offer you some help. First, I would make ABSOLUTELY sure that you do want to do that. Basically take a deep breath and think about it before you make an impulsive decision. It's not a super complicated mod by any means. But they aren't exactly cheap and it will be an expensive paperweight if you decide to switch back. They are attractive. But IMO you lose the entire look and feel of the traditional BMW cluster. So from my perspective it is a bit like having a toothbrush with the bristles of a hair brush. But that is just my personal opinion.

Youtube is your friend. There are tons of videos for different products and car models. If you take your time and research it from every angle, then you will be in a position to pull the trigger if you decide that you really want to.

[olds350]

Originally Posted by jdog006

I can't specifically answer your question. But maybe I can offer you some help. First, I would make ABSOLUTELY sure that you do want to do that. Basically take a deep breath and think about it before you make an impulsive decision. It's not a super complicated mod by any means. But they aren't exactly cheap and it will be an expensive paperweight if you decide to switch back. They are attractive. But IMO you lose the entire look and feel of the traditional BMW cluster. So from my perspective it is a bit like having a toothbrush with the bristles of a hair brush. But that is just my personal opinion.

Youtube is your friend. There are tons of videos for different products and car models. If you take your time and research it from every angle, then you will be in a position to pull the trigger if you decide that you really want to.

I have tried in vain to get the dash lights to an "always on" state. I've used Carly and protool to no avail. Both say the correct code is enabled, but the dash lights are only on when the lights are on. I've asked on here for help on coding the dash lights, but I didn't receive any good response. I'm getting older and there are some lighting situations where I can't read the dash. This is my only reason for updating the dash to something that's always backlit. I agree on the analog look, it's just part of the car. If I could get the dash lights to always stay on, I'd be done with this....

[jdog006]

Originally Posted by olds350

I have tried in vain to get the dash lights to an "always on" state. I've used Carly and protool to no avail. Both say the correct code is enabled, but the dash lights are only on when the lights are on. If I could get the dash lights to always stay on, I'd be done with this....

Send a message to the Protool team. You can message them directly from their web page. I messaged them for an issue in the past and they were very responsive to me. I bet that they can help you get your cluster coded to always on. That would be a free fix.

[olds350]

Originally Posted by jdog006

Send a message to the Protool team. You can message them directly from their web page. I messaged them for an issue in the past and they were very responsive to me. I bet that they can help you get your cluster coded to always on. That would be a free fix.

I did a few months back. Rather short reply and offered no help. Pretty disappointing really...

[jdog006]

I do wish that they had an online forum. It would be so handy for reference and such.

Give it another shot. It's worth a try. Also monitor this thread to see if anyone chimes in about it here. This is surely something that can be easily coded. But since I'm not hooked up to my car right now, I can't really browse through Protool at the moment.

[iminhell1]

I think there should be some info here, terms to search and things.

[olds350]

Originally Posted by iminhell1

I think there should be some info here, terms to search and things.

Good info, but a bit too deep for what I'm looking for. I can really use a class on how to use the advanced function on protool and KOMBI in general. Let the learning begin!

that said, I'm still interested in a cluster swap if anyone has info they can share. Best!

[olds350]

So no one on here has done a digital dash cluster swap? I'm surprised. I'd really like to hear someones experience with this swap. Seems like this is just a simple plug and play. My concern is swapping the old unit back in if needed. Would that set off any codes and will it read the new mileage from the ECU? Anyone out there that can help me? Would be appreciated!

[iminhell1]

[Daydream Garage1]

They were called ID4motion. I tried looking up the site and it says it is unavailable.?

[ShocknAwe]

Why?! Don't do it! Our analogue clusters are excellent!

Digital clusters are one of the the current fads destroying automotive driver involvement. Your eye notices the lack of depth and complexity. Makes the whole car feel cheap, doesn't matter how expensive it is.

[MParallel]

Originally Posted by olds350

So no one on here has done a digital dash cluster swap? I'm surprised. …

Really?
I’m not. Waste of money for worse looking cluster. Lose-lose.

I don’t think there is a coding parameter for the cluster to be always on.

[olds350]

I can appreciate the comments on not to change out the cluster, but this is all personal preference and I happen to like this new dash for a few reasons. First, it's all ways back lit, so you can read it in morning/evening light. I like the fact the screen is configurable with different displays. Last, it displays water and oil temps, that's a huge plus for me. I did watch this video...

and the presenter answered a bunch of comment questions. One of my concerns was VIN locking the cluster and could you swap the old cluster back in. No to VIN lock and yes to putting the old cluster back in and not show the tamper dot. It will update with mileage with the new info it reads. All of this "said", I'm about to pull the trigger on this update. I still have some questions to chase down, but I think this will look great. Amazon has these for about $540 at the moment....

[olds350]

Originally Posted by Daydream Garage1

They were called ID4motion. I tried looking up the site and it says it is unavailable.?

I found the same, ID4motion is no more....

[olds350]

Originally Posted by MParallel

I don’t think there is a coding parameter for the cluster to be always on.

Actually, there is. I was able to successfully code the cluster lights to always on my e90 328i. That was a great improvement for being able to see the dash. Carly and protool will code it. I'm just not sure why it's not enabling the dash cluster lights to always on in my e88. I find chat GTP to be very helpful in finding coding options, but I may give up on that and just by the upgraded cluster.

[javinci]

Originally Posted by olds350

Actually, there is. I was able to successfully code the cluster lights to always on my e90 328i. That was a great improvement for being able to see the dash. Carly and protool will code it. I'm just not sure why it's not enabling the dash cluster lights to always on in my e88. I find chat GTP to be very helpful in finding coding options, but I may give up on that and just by the upgraded cluster.

I've previously managed to code this into my E82 as well, so it's definitely possible. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way I must've restored a backup or overwritten it somehow and now I can no longer get it coded back via Protool or Bimmercode.

[MParallel]

Originally Posted by olds350

Actually, there is. I was able to successfully code the cluster lights to always on my e90 328i. That was a great improvement for being able to see the dash. Carly and protool will code it. I'm just not sure why it's not enabling the dash cluster lights to always on in my e88. I find chat GTP to be very helpful in finding coding options, but I may give up on that and just by the upgraded cluster.

Ah yes I found it now, it's in the Kombi (Cluster) coding, not light module.
Guess that makes sense.

It's parameter: M_TAG_SKALENBELEUCHTUNG (which litteraly means M_Day Scale_lighting)

It's connected to the daytime running lights. So they are always on IF the DRL's are also set to on.
Default is only on for M3's.
I don't need mine to me on all the time, but I could test if it does what it says. Although I have little doubt it wouldn't work.

[ShocknAwe]

Change your cluster daylight settings in the hidden menu...

[olds350]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Change your cluster daylight settings in the hidden menu...

OK, educate me. What hidden menu?

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by olds350

OK, educate me. What hidden menu?

Been a while since I've been in there but there's multiple backlight and light detection settings in the COMBI.

I use protool to do this.

[olds350]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Been a while since I've been in there but there's multiple backlight and light detection settings in the COMBI.

I use protool to do this.

I've looked to no avail in KOMBI and other modules. My original post stated that I unsuccessfully coded the cluster lights to always on via protool. Protool said is was successful, but the back light never switched on. I've used chatGTP to try and deep dive some additional coding parameters and I've made a few changes, but nothing seems to work. Not sure why my e88 is such a pain to code, but it is. I'm to the point of ordering the upgraded dash cluster just so I can have back lighting.