Incorrect Speedo on Ford Galaxy Ghia 1.9 TDI

[Loontoon]

I don't know if this helps but I have factory fitted sat nav,from VCDS this is the cluster info for mine
Part No: 7M5 920 940 Q




Primary Features
Build Date:     29.12.2005
Vehicle Line:     Galaxy 2000-2006
Body Style:     5 Door Saloon
Version:     High Series
Engine:     Diesel 1.9TI (150PS)
Transmission:     Economy 6
Drive:     RHD FWD
Axle Ratio:     3.68
Emission:     2000 EEC (EEC 7)
Air Conditioning:     Automatic Air Conditioning
Territory:     (+)"GB"
Paint:     Reflex Silver
Interior Fabric:     Linea / Anthracite

[lemoncharlie]

Thank you Loontoon, I think I need Mirez's advice on that!

[Mirez]

Ok an overview of the numbers:

FINIS Code:
A Ford FINIS code used to order parts, generally its not shown on parts you find in/on the car and instead you have the manufacturing number.

MFG Number:
The manufacturing number is what is generally put on the parts. YM21-10849-AVE, in this case - it contains the revision details, software type etc.

VAG Number:
This is the part number as VW see it, they don't separate between the ordering system and the manufacturing system like Ford do so you generally see this number printed on parts and you can then take that in to a VW dealer and order it.

Controller Number:
This is where VW part numbers can cause a little confusion, if you use VCDS to grab the part number (as loontoon has) its GENERALLY fine but sometimes you get the controllers part number (ie the ecu brain) rather then the whole assembly, where it can be changed separately.

Because of the joint venture, there are some "dumb" codes that look like VAG Numbers but have no relevance to VW. These are where parts are made by VW purely for the Galaxy and are not fitted to the Sharan/Alhambra - the steering wheel controller is a good example of this and also, unfortunately, the clusters. If you are trying to get the "correct" part number for a Sharan/Alhambra cluster you won't as they were never destined for the Galaxy. You just have to match the year, engine and gearbox as best as you can.

If you need to remove the cluster then you'll have to remove the upper and lower steering column surrounds, (https://www.fordmpv.com/smf2/ford-galaxy-reference-library/galaxy-mk2-removing-the-steering-wheel/) - you can then remove the two torx screws at the bottom of the cluster before pulling it out.

[lemoncharlie]

Thank you, I'll let you know if I manage to get one. If not, back to plan A to try to configure the one I have I guess.

[lemoncharlie]

I've just looked at the instructions on how to remove the cluster and I'm not that confident, seems scarey if I'm honest

[lemoncharlie]

phoned the Ford Garage Friday and twice today for confirmation of the manufacturing number on the 1st cluster they fitted as they still have it...they've lost the cluster, how strange is that?!

[lemoncharlie]

Mirez,
Would I be correct in saying that the instrument cluster in your car is a Sharan one? Guessing it is, and, if that's the case, it's far nicer than a Galaxy one & all the Galaxy ones to date are incompatible.
So, is there any way I can find the exact manufacturing number for the Sharan?
Thanks

[Mirez]

Yes mines a Sharan "Highline" cluster - I can give you the cluster number of mine if you want but you wont get an exact mfg number because it was never fitted to the Galaxy - closest you could get would be to match the Sharan's year, spec, engine and gearbox to yours. "Ghia" spec is "Carat" spec in VW speak

[lemoncharlie]

If the number from yours with help, yes please. Would it matter that yours is a 115 & mine a 130?

[lemoncharlie]

Does this help at all?

Address 17: Instruments
   Protocol: KW1281
   Controller: 7M5 920 940 QX
   Component: KOMBIINSTRUMENT VDO V65
   Coding: 31400
   Shop #: WSC 00021

[lemoncharlie]

Mirez,
I've spent everyday looking for a 2nd hand cluster, no luck. Are you still prepared to give it a go?

[drober42]

Is it just me or shouldn't that coding read 31401 the last digit being for the gearbox type? I would try changing that and then see if the speedo reads correctly as you already have the original value of 31400 so if it doesn't work you could just change the coding back to 31400

[Mirez]

No, 115/130/140/150 should all be the same. More then happy to meet up but I'm going down that way now so would have to be up here.

The soft-coding looks wrong to me aswell, they have set that up for the automatic 4 speed....

Signal Multiplier: (K-value) ----X
1 = 3627 for manual transmission and AG5

[lemoncharlie]

to be honest, I'm happy to come to you but in a way would like to give it a go myself. Is it just a matter of telling me what to input or is it much more involved?

[lemoncharlie]

following on from what I have said above, if I am able to do this myself, exactly what software should I be using as the one I used wouldn't allow me to make any changes, just the scanning

[lemoncharlie]

also, just noticed there's a P1570 engine fault code....tell me that's nothing to do with all this!!

[Chrispb]

It's probably a code you picked where cluster has been disconnected with ignition turned on,have you tried to clear it?

[Mirez]

That code is an immobiliser code, normally caused by the key not being 'read' properly, clear it and dont worry

VCDS lite should be able to change softcoding, its nice and easy to do

[Mirez]

That said it is easy to do if you have VCDS / Vag-Com. Open the controller, click "Soft Coding" and enter "31401", then click "Do It" and it should store the code - Job done. Even the free version of VCDS allows you to change soft-coding so you should be good if you have one of those leads.

Certainly the coding you currently have seems iffy and decodes to
31 =  Brakepad wear sensor warning active, Washer fluid low-level warning active, Seatbelt Warning Passenger Side active, Secondary Display (Radio/Navigation) active
4 = UK (GB)
0 = Fixed service interval without oil level / temperature sensor
0 = Undefined Automatic

Since you have a manual that last code is definitely wrong - on the technical side the cluster receives a speed (VSS) signal from the ECU in the form of a pulsed signal. The ââ,¬Å"0ââ,¬Â code should mean that it thinks the ECU will send it 3454 clock pulses per mile it covers, However because your car is a 6-Speed Manual it actually sends 3627 pulses per mile. If your sad enough to plot that on a graph its almost exactly what you say is happening

Ie, an actual 30MPH would be shown on your cluster as 15MPH, 60MPH would read 30MPH
[attachimg=1]

[lemoncharlie]

Can't do this straight away but will try this evening...so, if I've read this correctly, all I have to do plug laptop in, open VCDS-lite, go into the instrument section, change the code from 31400 to 31401 and save it? That simple???!! Am I misreadingreading or missing something?

[lemoncharlie]

sorry that should have said "misreading" - damn laptop!

[Mirez]

Yup that simple!!

[lemoncharlie]

ok, hopefully the next and last post will be "the last post", lol. Before I try though, when I was messing with VCDS lite yesterday for the 1st time, it said that I couldn't perform certain actions due to being unregistered, any suggestions? (I downloaded it from the link you posted)

[lemoncharlie]

Also, just noticed on you graph (Ie, an actual 30MPH would be shown on your cluster as 15MPH, 60MPH would read 30MPH), it's not quite as drastic as that. 30 shows as 20 on the dial and 60 shows as about40- 45 on the dial. Does that mean it may not be that setting after all?

[Mirez]

You are using the free version which is limited in certain respects (changing the soft coding isn't one of them though) - if you wanted access to the other bits of it you'll need to pay for the registered licence (about Ã,£100 iirc)

The value "0" you have set isn't documented so I've used the pulse value of the nearest auto I could find so the graph maybe a little out.

[lemoncharlie]

ok, , phew, will let you know!

[lemoncharlie]

HELP!! I've attempted to change it, appears it has done so but once I've clicked "do it", it goes back to the previous screen and reverts back to 31400 so no change.

[lemoncharlie]

Does anyone know any reason why the code can't be changed?

[Mirez]

Curious... if its stop accepting the code then it means it's invalid (the cluster isn't registering it). Try 31402 (the code you would have for an auto) and see what that does.

[lemoncharlie]

already tried that, didn't work either - getting a bit concerned now

[Mirez]

Weird it wont take the code, possibly Ford did copy it correctly after allbut the cluster rejected it.

I am still curious why seat belt reminder for passenger side is enabled even though the Galaxy never had this option.

You cant physically break anything with soft coding so try 21401

[lemoncharlie]

Seat belt reminder?

[lemoncharlie]

The other thing I found odd was the software came up with a message (see screenshot)[attachimg=1], don't suppose that helps?

[lemoncharlie]

Just a thought, and I'm probably wrong, but, is the workshop code stopping me from changing the cluster code? Is it somehow locked to that garage's computer?

[insanitybeard]

It's possible a programming issue error or dodgy component used during manufacture/remanufacture by Ford is preventing correct calibration, however the easiest way of confirming this is to source a known good secondhand unit and attempt to calibrate it for your vehicle, if all is well you know it is the new unit at fault, obviously this is a problem in itself due to the rarity of the full FIS display type cluster, but I imagine trying to get Ford parts to check if the units are correct to spec- especially when it looks like a software/ internal component issue- is going to involve going round in lots of circles! Nightmare.   

[lemoncharlie]

I've been looking everyday since I started this post and not one has come up. Out of interest, I've just phoned another Ford dealer who say that it is possible they will be able to change the codes regardless of the fact that I can't, could that be the case? I ask this as it's whether I'm to risk at least Ã,£60 + VAT. I can't go back to the garage that fitted the cluster as if they know I (as opposed to a Ford garage) have used VCDS, they may well tell me that they are no longer responsible.

[insanitybeard]

It may be a better (and cheaper!) bet to take a trip to see Mirez first and see if he can unearth anything before going down that route, I don't think the Ford diagnostic equipment has as much functionality as VCDS as the Galaxy is primarily VW technology, as I recall Galaxy diagnostics with the Ford kit weren't brilliant for that reason. If you can't do it with VCDS, I can't see how Ford will fare any better.

Wait for Mirez or somebody else who is familiar with VCDS to respond before going down that route and spending yet more cash.

[lemoncharlie]

Do you think you can do anything Mirez?!

[Mirez]

Well I can try coding with the later full version of VCDS, you might want to check out http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEAT-ALHAMBRA-1-9-TDI-2001-2008-INSTRUMENT-CLUSTER-CLOCK-7M7920940L-AUY-/111213414866?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3AAlhambra&hash=item19e4d609d2

[lemoncharlie]

So, is that one compatible with my car? If so, happy to get it.

[lemoncharlie]

ok, here's an update, I managed to recode the instrument cluster to 21400. However, it won't let me change the last "0". At least I know I can change it, but why not the first digit and not the last?

[lemoncharlie]

sorry, another typing error, should have read "why ONLY the first digit & not the last"

[lemoncharlie]

Strangely, the garage contacted me on Friday & are going to phone me again on Monday. They seem to think that a corruption has occurred in the ecu. They also seem to think they need to re-program it (the ecu) but there's a chance it may crash & need to be replaced & if that did happen they will foot some of the expense if I foot some as well.
I need therefore to know a couple of things before they phone regardless of the fact that I'm going to tell them that I'm not contributing towards it.
- Can they argue that I've "read" the codes using VCDS?
- Are they correct in saying that the ecu could be corrupted?
- If they are correct, can it corrupt "just like that" or would it have been a result of them trying to reconfigure the instrument cluster?

Any advice before Monday will be great, thank you.

[Mirez]

1- No, they cant tell its just been scanned.
2- Which ECU, the engines or the clusters?
3- Corruption is allways possible when doing this type of work but normally the software you use has checksums built in to notify them and allow them to write again.

The engine ECU cant be faulty, the ABS system would be in error state if that was the case as the VSS pulse would be different to the ABS pulses. I personally suspect this is a manufacturing error where VDO make the clusters. Since the firmware is the same for the galaxy, sharan and alhambra. I suspect they were never told to stop updating firmware for the Galaxy cluster when Ford stopped production. I suspect your new cluster is running late firmware designed for the 2.0 TDI's they fitted to the sharan/bamma. If they update your engines ecu firmware then potentially yes that could fix it (without knowing what gets updated though you cant prove that).

How can they possibly say you need to pay something?

[lemoncharlie]

Thanks for that Mirez. I agree, how can they? What was weird though is that I've not contacted them myself, they phoned out of the blue. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that when I spoke to them a while back I said that I didn't want to have to take this further but would if I had to.
I think my problem is, I find it difficult to insist or argue especially when I don't know exactly what I'm talking about.
So, it seems from them contacting me, they may well be concerned for either their reputation or receiving a court summons or both.
As I seem to be in a reasonably strong position now, this is what I thought of doing. When they call, I thought it a good idea to suggest I take it to them and ask if they could run VCDS on the cluster with me watching. I could then say that I believe the cluster code should be "31401" not "31400" & suggest they change it?

[Mirez]

Humm personally, i'd not mention VCDS or that coding. It's not for you to know or do that, plus it'll be unusual for a customer to know that so would probably ring alarm bells for them. What I might be tempted to do is say since the car is 95% VW, you would like them to look at it (at the dealers cost).

I maintain you need to speak to CAB and get a legal stand-point on it, you can't (and shouldn't) be trying to argue the technical points of it but you can (and should) be arguing your legal rights with them. Let's not forget its illegal to operate a car with a faulty speedometer and since yours was working and they broke it, I'm sure that wouldn't be good for them in court which is why they are probably chasing you. That's a good thing though

As a question, when they initially released the car back to you as fixed, how long did it take for you to notice the speedo was out and raise it with them?

[lemoncharlie]

A day or so, thought because it was fully serviced as well (for the first time in 4 years), it was just performing better. I did mention it to a Policeman friend of mine about 2 days after I got it back who was going to try to get a speed gun to test my speed but never did. Being in the Police, I can't imagine he will want to get involved with court proceedings as a witness.

By the way, I've sent you a private message.

[gregers]

thats laughable,how on earth can they tell you with a straight face that they expect you to foot some of the bill?

under the sale of goods act they have supplied something that reading here doesnt work correctly,so i would suspect you might want to contact your local trading standards off ice and put in a complaint and let them investigate on your behalf.
and as mirez has pointed out,deny everything about vcds.if they even sniff that you have been meddling,you will get the blame.