Running RB8 (B7) Instrument Cluster In A B6

[Nollywood]

G’day guys!

Now, I know this has been discussed - well, in part in other threads.

Now, the general consensus is that an RB8 cluster won’t work in a B6. When we say “won’t work”, what exactly are we referring to? Compatibility with the:

B6 audio?
B6 CCEM?
B6 ABS?
B6 climate control?
B6 ECU / IMMO 3*?

I ask this, because as part of project B6 420-TS, I purchased a cluster from a 2004 B6 S4 Convertible. What some may not know, is that the majority of B6 S4 Convertible clusters are RB8, not RB4 as one would expect. They have more in common with the B7, which is hardly surprising. B6 and B7 Convertibles have more in common, unlike B6 and B7 Sedan / Avant where the differences are more than meets the eye.

I know extracting the SKC code from the B7 is almost impossible, unless I’m mistaken? If a B6 is running an IMMO-defeated ECU, can a B7 cluster then be used?

Working on the assumption that the rest of the B6 sub-systems as I’ve listed above won’t be compatible with my B6, I will be buying a complete B7 Avant, and yanking out the entire car harnesses, ABS module, climate control panel, audio unit, CCEM etc. I have the opportunity to purchase a B7 RS4 instrument cluster, which is what I will be fitting to B6 420-TS.

Any input / contributions welcomed.

*Early B7 models were IMMO 3. This does not include RS4, Convertible, S4 or Seat Exeo models.

[Nollywood]

No one has attempted this swap?

[Bazer]

Interesting idea. My A4 is an early 05 model and has immo 4, also has RB8 and WFS4c which means part of the cluster rom is encrypted. So not sure if early models had immo3...
But I know a guy in Austria who is a wizzard with A4 clusters. Hows your german as he only is active on german forums....

[Bazer]

And let me know when you get the avant as I might take some parts.

[cmiguel32]

I’m running an RB8 cluster that has immo3. Not sure when production switched to immo4, but there’s definitely a transitional period.

[f1torrents]

It can be done.

[Nollywood]

It can be done.

Care to expand on this?

[EuroxS4]

Pin out on b6 and b7 clusters are the same.Disable the immo and your good to go.You can virginize rb8 dash with some expensive tools,however rb8 immo 4 has 12 bytes where as immo 3 has 7.Easiest way is rb8 immo 3 cluster or immo off.


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[Nollywood]

Thanks, EuroxS4. I take it this is disabling IMMO in the engine ECU, and not the cluster?

I suspected that IMMO was the deciding factor here, I just wasn’t 100% sure.

[EuroxS4]

Thanks, EuroxS4. I take it this is disabling IMMO in the engine ECU, and not the cluster?

I suspected that IMMO was the deciding factor here, I just wasn’t 100% sure.

Yes immo off in ecu.Its a simple change in the eeprom iirc 1 or 2 bytes to turn off immo, correct checksum and flash back to 95040 eeprom.


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[Nollywood]

Thanks, EuroxS4.

I’ve had the IMMO disabled in my C5 RS6 ECU anyway, so all’s good.

[EuroxS4]

Thanks, EuroxS4.

I’ve had the IMMO disabled in my C5 RS6 ECU anyway, so all’s good.

No problem.Just a bit of extra info skc can be extracted from a rb8 cluster but it’s useless because it cannot be used to match keys or cluster to immobilizer.In this instance as well the cluster does not care which mode it’s in unlike rb4 clusters.Audis new business guidelines reject adaption of used rb8 clusters due to a large amount of thefts some years ago.You can make it a virgin cluster but need specialized equipment to adapt it.So just to reinforce no way to adapt cluster with immo 4 to immo3. If you had rb8 with immo3 it could be done.Matching immobilizer data from original ecu to cluster and key.


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[simple2me]

Not trying to hijack the thread but what are the odds of getting the b7 immo IV cluster system to work with a set of d3 w12 ecm's with immo IV as well?

[EuroxS4]

Not trying to hijack the thread but what are the odds of getting the b7 immo IV cluster system to work with a set of d3 w12 ecm's with immo IV as well?

Probably slim to none.Better to just immo off.


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[rocket1420]

Yeah, but if you immo off the ECU, the immo in the cluster still won't be happy. The cluster may not shut the car off, but if it behaves as the RB4 clusters do, you won't be able to turn off your warning lights.

- - - Updated - - -

Unless you can adapt your key to the cluster.

[Nollywood]

Quite a few alleged obstacles.

I’ll have to cross those bridges as I come to them. Definitely the B7 RS4 cluster will be IMMO 4.

[Gin+]

Pin out on b6 and b7 clusters are the same.Disable the immo and your good to go.You can virginize rb8 dash with some expensive tools,however rb8 immo 4 has 12 bytes where as immo 3 has 7.Easiest way is rb8 immo 3 cluster or immo off.


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I'm sorry if I'm not comprehending the obvious, but Just to clarify, if one were to connect an RB8 immo 4 cluster to an immo'd off ME7.5 ecu, the combination would work? What about the flashing hazards and the word 'safe' in the mileage display?

Edit; Looks like rocket beat me to it!

[Nollywood]

I'm sorry if I'm not comprehending the obvious, but Just to clarify, if one were to connect an RB8 immo 4 cluster to an immo'd off ME7.5 ecu, the combination would work? What about the flashing hazards and the word 'safe' in the mileage display?

Edit; Looks like rocket beat me to it!

I tried this on mine, albeit with my stock 3.0 ECU with active IMMO.

I didn’t have flashing hazards, nor “SAFE” in my mileage display. However, “SAFE” was displayed on my SYmphony head unit.

[eljay]

You may have already considered this, but you could get a colour DIS B6 RB4 cluster and swap the gauge face to RS4 look or get a custom gauge made with some "4.2 BiTurbo" lettering, which is what your project deserves! :)
Cheaper and easier swap. http://gauged.ca/gauges

[Nollywood]

You may have already considered this, but you could get a colour DIS B6 RB4 cluster and swap the gauge face to RS4 look or get a custom gauge made with some "4.2 BiTurbo" lettering, which is what your project deserves! :)
Cheaper and easier swap. http://gauged.ca/gauges

This can certainly be done, using a cluster from a 3.0 B6 with RNS-E, or even from an early B6 S4.

However, the speedo will be totally inaccurate, as the B7 RS4 scale is completely different. As for the RS4 logo...I have a custom dial in mind, retaining the RS4 colour, font and scale, but with something a bit different...

[Matt Devo]

I tried this on mine, albeit with my stock 3.0 ECU with active IMMO.

I didn’t have flashing hazards, nor “SAFE” in my mileage display. However, “SAFE” was displayed on my SYmphony head unit.

SAFE on the HU means the VIN reported by the cluster via CAN (the "home VIN) has changed since the unlock code was entered

[Nollywood]

SAFE on the HU means the VIN reported by the cluster via CAN (the "home VIN) has changed since the unlock code was entered

Thanks, Matt.

[EuroxS4]

Yeah, but if you immo off the ECU, the immo in the cluster still won't be happy. The cluster may not shut the car off, but if it behaves as the RB4 clusters do, you won't be able to turn off your warning lights.

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Unless you can adapt your key to the cluster.

In that case you might as well use a rb4 cluster and adapt to vehicle.Its simple enough.

Key can be adapted to cluster However rb8 clusters don’t have a immo light icon.This is why the hazards are probably going off.However there is a work around to that.


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[Gin+]

This is why the hazards are probably going off.However there is a work around to that.

Well now I am the proud owner of an rb8 s4 cluster. Shame on me I guess for not making the seller prove to me it was an rb4 before giving up the cash. That said, I'd love to know that work around for the hazards flashing as suggested above.

[Nollywood]

Well now I am the proud owner of an rb8 s4 cluster. Shame on me I guess for not making the seller prove to me it was an rb4 before giving up the cash. That said, I'd love to know that work around for the hazards flashing as suggested above.

Have you tried plugging it into your car yet?

[EuroxS4]

Shouldnt matter with immo off you can use the cluster.However the bigger issue being that rb8 cluster cannot be reset to virgin mode like they come from the factory.Getting a SKC can be done.But I dont think its of any use as it cannot be used to adapt a used cluster either way.

If your cluster has any one of these nubmers you are SOL!!

8E0 920 981N
8E0 920 982F
8E0 920 981Q


Also if you adapt one RB4 on a RB8 car, climatronic won't work since motor is running , i shutts off

Eg: with ignition on , all funcions on clima are ok, since you start motor clima jumps to OFF and no other function is available

[Gin+]

Good info.

Part number per VCDS is 8E0920982C so I assume SOL. The ecu is immo'd off so the car starts and runs with the rb8 cluster, only issue is the hazards after 5-10 seconds of running. Additionally "SAFE" is in the mileage display but I could probably live with that until I found a proper rb4.

[blitz2190]

the easiest way to get it to work, short of having a dealer program a new key for the cluster which they likely will not as it doesn't match your vin or getting some very expensive software, would be to pull the rfid chips from the key matching new cluster and putting it in the old key that matches the lock, then immo of the ecu. just be wary the rfid chips are very easy to break.

[EuroxS4]

So since I came across this I figured I would post it here.As alot of you were interested in installing RS4 clusters.This will give you another option.Yes its not cheap but neither is a RS4 cluster.It looks like this could do much much more!!!

https://www.drive2.ru/l/457362203612323880/

This is just a guide on how to install if you have the soldering skills to do so yourself.If not leave it to the pros.Currently: Clusters by Litke LLC. Is doing a group buy on the screens and modules there is $240 deposit upfront for the module and screen extra if needed to install.I'm not affiliated with them in any shape or form.Just putting it out there as an alternative to the RS4 clusters.Yes I know its expensive but you gotta pay to play.Also with some updated gauges i'm sure the cluster will look much better than a stock rs4 cluster.

I would like to add that this adds alot more information that available in the display as well as the function to read and clear codes.Simply the best of both worlds.

For those thinking of doing it themselves here is the site.


http://colormfa.ru/en/

[Gin+]

Definetly cool.

[Nollywood]

Cool link.

I would consider this. Not instead of an RS4 cluster, but in addition.

[5ktq]

In addition how? it entirely replaces the display.

[Nollywood]

In addition how? it entirely replaces the display.

As in doing this conversion in a B7 RS4 cluster, as opposed to the simpler route of a B6 A4 cluster.

[EuroxS4]

Yes its a direct replacement of the MFA screen and some added functions.I mean the rs4 clsuter has different gauges.But im sure a hyrid cluster can be made from 2 clusters.It all comes down to cost.F

[Subazda]

another question related to this , my car was a 1.6L B7 , now i have swapped an engine from a 1.8t B7 which came with an RB4 . tried using to use my rb8 with it and it showed the word SAFE and shut down the car immediately as i started it , so we put back the rb4 in it and it worked again . now my car is immo'd off ,is there anyway to get my RB8 to work with it ? the part no. of my cluster is 8E0920 931C

[Gin+]

As I understand, if you have the matching key for the rb8 cluster it should work providing the ecu is immo'd off.

[simple2me]

Yeah, but if you immo off the ECU, the immo in the cluster still won't be happy. The cluster may not shut the car off, but if it behaves as the RB4 clusters do, you won't be able to turn off your warning lights.

- - - Updated - - -

Unless you can adapt your key to the cluster.

I have TMPRO and VagTacho. I've successfully used TMPRO to make a key for my A8L. I've yet to try out VagTacho on my B7's. I have two spare ecm/cluster sets with the original key so I'm going to attempt to program a new key to one. If I successfully program a key then all I need to do is immo off the w12 ecms and all should be good then, correct.

[rocket1420]

I have TMPRO and VagTacho. I've successfully used TMPRO to make a key for my A8L. I've yet to try out VagTacho on my B7's. I have two spare ecm/cluster sets with the original key so I'm going to attempt to program a new key to one. If I successfully program a key then all I need to do is immo off the w12 ecms and all should be good then, correct.

This thread and forum is for a b6. B7 uses a different immobilizer

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[Nollywood]

And let me know when you get the avant as I might take some parts.

Well, I have an Avant parting out right now...it all depends on what you’re after.

[Nollywood]

Bringing this thread back to life...

I now have a brand new B7 RS4 cluster, in its box from Audi. So it’s never been in a car, 0 miles.

Is this something Audi can now adapt to my car / keys? As this is effectively a virgin cluster?

Thanks in advance.