Cluster Swapping with Immobilizer III
Posted  30 Oct. 2002

Ross-Tech is not responsible for any damage or problems that may result from following these instructions. They are to be used at your own risk.

This procedure details how to install a NEW Instrument Cluster in Immobilizer-equipped VW/Audi vehicles with Immobilizer III (2002+ Golf. Jetta, New Beetle, Passat). As of 11 Mar. 2002, VW and Audi are providing 7-digit Secret Key Codes in place of the earlier 4-digit SKC's. Keys must be coded using the new 7-digit SKC (secret key code) method unless the owner still has the correct 4-digit code.

Immo-3 knows your car's VIN. Access 17-Instruments (or separate 25-Immobilizer on vehicles that are set up that way) and look at the first "Extra" field.

If you see something like: "Immo-ID VWZ7Z0W0648696"  You've got Immo-2 (or maybe even Immo-1 in earlier non-US models).

If you see something like "WVZKB58001H231169 VWZ7Z0W0648696" You've got
Immo-3. The first 17-digit string is the VIN. The second 14-digit string in the Immo-ID.

Procedure for installing a NEW  Instrument Cluster in vehicles with Immobilizer III:

1. With the OLD Instrument Cluster in the vehicle, write down the current mileage.
    

2. (Volkswagens only, if you are working on an Audi, skip to step 3)
   [Select] 
   [Display] (Less Common Modules) 
   [19 - CAN Gateway]
   Write down the 5 digit number from the "Soft. Coding" field, make note that is the CAN number.
   [Close Controller, Go Back - 06]
    

3. [Select] 
   [17 - Instruments]
   Write down the 14 digit Immobilizer ID number from the "Extra" field and the 5 digit number from the "Soft. Coding" field, make note that is the OLD Instrument Cluster Coding.
   [Close Controller, Go Back - 06]
   (If you have a 2002+ Audi, write down the current Adaptation values for Channels 60 through 70, if available)
    

4. Take that 14-digit Immobilizer ID number (along with your VIN number) to your dealer and request your seven-digit SKC, along with the workshop code and importer number ( the workshop code and importer number can be found in the upper-right corner of the Administration screen of the dealer's VAS 5051 - for more info, see the Options Screen Page).
    

5. Install the new Instrument Cluster.
    

6. Measure the car's battery voltage, it must be 12.5 V or higher.
    

7. (Volkswagens only, if you are working on an Audi, skip to step 8)
   [Select] 
   [Display] (Less Common Modules) 
   [19 - CAN Gateway]
   [Recode - 07]
   Enter the 5 digit number that you wrote down as the CAN number.
   [Do It!]
   [Close Controller, Go Back - 06]
    

8. [Select] 
   [17 - Instruments]
   [Recode - 07]
   Enter the 5 digit number that you wrote down as the Instrument Cluster Coding.
   [Do It!]
    

9. [Adaptation - 10]
   Enter 50 in Channel Number
   [Read]
   [Use 7-digit PIN/SKC]
   Enter the 7-digit PIN from the OLD Instrument Cluster, Date on which the PIN was GENERATED BY THE DEALER, along with the dealer's Workshop Code (WSC) and the Importer number
   [OK]
    

10. VAG-COM will validate the data you have entered and return you to the Adaptation screen, where the New Value will show as "XXXXX".
    [Test]
    [Save]
    [Done, Go Back]
    [Close Controller, Go Back - 06]
     

11. Switch ignition off and then back on within one minute but do not start vehicle.
     

12. [Select]
    [17 - Instruments]
    Verify that the VIN now displayed in the "Extra" field is the same as the VIN of the vehicle.
    [Close Controller, Go Back - 06]
     

13. You can check to make sure a key has the correct electronics in it so that it can be matched to the Immobilizer by:
    [Select] 
    [17 - Instruments]
    [Meas. Blocks - 08]
    Group 022
    [Go!]
    The value in field 3 must be 1. If value is not 1, the key is not capable of being adapted to Immobilizer. You can check each key in this manner.
     

14. [Select] 
    [17 - Instruments]
    [Meas. Blocks - 08]
    Group 024
    [Go!]
    Any numbers displayed in fields 1-4 represent the time in minutes that must be counted down before the Immobilizer is unlocked. If the fields are all zero, skip to step 16. If the Immobilizer is locked:
    [Done, Go Back]
    [Close Controller, Go Back - 06]
    Do not switch off the ignition! Allow the car to sit for AT LEAST the number of minutes that were indicated by the display in Group 024
     

15. [Select] 
    [17 - Instruments]
    [Meas. Blocks - 08]
    Group 024
    [Go!]
    Make sure all fields are zero.
    [Done, Go Back]
     

16. [Login - 11]
    [Use 7-digit PIN/SKC]
    Enter the 7-digit PIN from the OLD Instrument Cluster, Date on which the PIN was generated by the dealer, along with the Workshop Code (WSC) and the Importer number of the dealer that generated the code.
    [OK]
     

17. VAG-COM will validate the data you have entered and return you to the Login screen, where the Login Code will show as "XXXXX".
    [Do It!]
     

18. [Adaptation - 10]
    Enter 21 in "Channel Number"
    [Read]
    The "Stored Value" is the number of keys currently matched.
    Enter "new value" of 0
    [Save]
    This clears out the old key-matchings.
    Enter a "new value" corresponding to the total number of keys to be matched,  including any existing keys
    [Save]
     

19. [Done, Go Back]
    [Close Controller, Go Back - 06]
    Switch ignition off and remove key
     

20. Insert next key to ignition and switch ignition on again
    The warning light for the Immobilizer will light up for ~2 seconds, then go out
    Switch ignition off and remove key
     

21. Repeat step 20 with each key until all keys have been matched.
     

22. [Select]
    [17 - Instruments]
    [Adaptation - 10]
    Enter "channel number" 09 to select channel
    Put in the number of km divided by 10.  Example: If old cluster had 50,357 km, put in 5036.
    Note:  Some clusters may require a Login of 13861 before you can set the mileage.
    [Test]
    Look at the Instrument Cluster in the car and make sure the mileage reading is correct, once you save it, the value CANNOT be changed!
    [Save]
    (If you have a 2002+ Audi, make sure that the Adaptation values for Channels 60 through 70, are the same as the ones that you wrote down)
     

23. Make sure all keys start and run the vehicle, and that the mileage reading is correct.

Note: If you are installing an instrument cluster that has ever been installed in another car, you must insert the following step.    Also, bear in mind that you will not be able to change the mileage of a cluster that has more than 100 km on the odometer):

  8.5   [Login - 11]
          [Use 7-digit PIN/SKC]
          Enter the 7-digit PIN for the USED Instrument Cluster, Date on which the PIN was generated by the
          dealer, along with the Workshop Code (WSC) and the Importer number of the dealer that generated
          the code.
          [OK]
          This should effectively "wipe out" the previous matching.