DIS Upgrade

I purchased a spare instrument cluster and modded it with 3dcolormfa: photos
Works really well.
The extras I like:
- oil level
- tempomat on/off and speed notification
- built in error scan (vcds like) and error delete option
- webasto on/off toggle
- oil temp

Adding real time oil pressure and turbo boost info is still in progress.
Very cool! Would you sell me one of those?
 
Indeed all the skill is in the ability to solder. Get it wrong and more than just the screen may be damaged.

It may be worth checking to see if there is a local tv / radio repairer as they are normally pretty good at soldering and more likely to have all the equipment needed.

@timmus performs a colour DIS upgrade and frequently tours. Consider approaching him if interested.
 
I was also afraid. Fortunatelly I have found a very cheap instrument cluster on ebay advertised as untested and modded that one.
With VAG commander and a cheap clone cable I copied over the old dash "brain" to the modded one, so my car keys are working and the milage is also correct. If anyone want to play with his instrument cluser I advise to create a full memory backup using VAG commander. If something goes wrong, you can just write the backup to a spare dash.

With the kit I received the display, one very long wire enough for at least 3 more mods, plastic easily scratchable screen protectors (2 pcs if I remember correctly), usb cable and a 12v to 5v dc-dc converter.
The dash with the small display is missing many features and wires to it which are needed so I added a custom multipin connector to the back of the cluster. I wanted it to remain removable. (extra wires: control buttons from the wiper stalk, display CAN, turbo boost, etc.)

The mod is not too hard for someone with soldering experience, but very time consuming.
The screen alignment is very easy. You dont have to be very precise, just make sure that the screen is straight and the edges are not visible. There is a management software for the display and you can move/shrink the image pixel by pixel as you like. Centering the image with it is child's play.

I have decent soldering experience, but currently I'm living far away in Germany.
 
I was also afraid. Fortunatelly I have found a very cheap instrument cluster on ebay advertised as untested and modded that one.
With VAG commander and a cheap clone cable I copied over the old dash "brain" to the modded one, so my car keys are working and the milage is also correct. If anyone want to play with his instrument cluser I advise to create a full memory backup using VAG commander. If something goes wrong, you can just write the backup to a spare dash.

With the kit I received the display, one very long wire enough for at least 3 more mods, plastic easily scratchable screen protectors (2 pcs if I remember correctly), usb cable and a 12v to 5v dc-dc converter.
The dash with the small display is missing many features and wires to it which are needed so I added a custom multipin connector to the back of the cluster. I wanted it to remain removable. (extra wires: control buttons from the wiper stalk, display CAN, turbo boost, etc.)

The mod is not too hard for someone with soldering experience, but very time consuming.
The screen alignment is very easy. You dont have to be very precise, just make sure that the screen is straight and the edges are not visible. There is a management software for the display and you can move/shrink the image pixel by pixel as you like. Centering the image with it is child's play.

I have decent soldering experience, but currently I'm living far away in Germany.
any photos of your cluster mod?
 
this is cool upggrade, I'll keep an eye on this, thx for info. do i need cluster with FIS already in? or simple cluster with temp will do?
It does not matter what kind of cluster you have, this is a separate unit with its own modern arm processor. If you install it to a simple cluster with temp only, you have to add wires to it from "the outside".
If you have a big screen FIS already then the cluster has an additinional grey connector at the back and I think you dont need to add extra wires.

The unit is called 3dcolormfd. It is a DIY cluster upgrade for older vw compatible cars.
I'm using it since november 2021 and I like it.

I just noticed that their website has a contact list who can install it: link
 
It does not matter what kind of cluster you have, this is a separate unit with its own modern arm processor. If you install it to a simple cluster with temp only, you have to add wires to it from "the outside".
If you have a big screen FIS already then the cluster has an additinional grey connector at the back and I think you dont need to add extra wires.

The unit is called 3dcolormfd. It is a DIY cluster upgrade for older vw compatible cars.
I'm using it since november 2021 and I like it.

I just noticed that their website has a contact list who can install it: link
ok understand, i do have soldering tools and skills no prob, did screen replacement on my VW T5 (not to color one tho)
 
I was also afraid. Fortunatelly I have found a very cheap instrument cluster on ebay advertised as untested and modded that one.
With VAG commander and a cheap clone cable I copied over the old dash "brain" to the modded one, so my car keys are working and the milage is also correct. If anyone want to play with his instrument cluser I advise to create a full memory backup using VAG commander. If something goes wrong, you can just write the backup to a spare dash.

With the kit I received the display, one very long wire enough for at least 3 more mods, plastic easily scratchable screen protectors (2 pcs if I remember correctly), usb cable and a 12v to 5v dc-dc converter.
The dash with the small display is missing many features and wires to it which are needed so I added a custom multipin connector to the back of the cluster. I wanted it to remain removable. (extra wires: control buttons from the wiper stalk, display CAN, turbo boost, etc.)

The mod is not too hard for someone with soldering experience, but very time consuming.
The screen alignment is very easy. You dont have to be very precise, just make sure that the screen is straight and the edges are not visible. There is a management software for the display and you can move/shrink the image pixel by pixel as you like. Centering the image with it is child's play.

I have decent soldering experience, but currently I'm living far away in Germany.
Evening,

This looks terrific and very on par with the ColorMFA features, after all its reading/displaying the very same information that’s available from the ECU.

I actually have a spare TDI DIS cluster that has a damaged pad from changing the red LCD screen which went a little wrong. Can you confirm that the pads which the original screen is soldered onto isn’t used during the installation, it certainly doesn’t look like it from the instructions but thought I’d ask before I even consider embarking on such a venture.

I do like the ColorMFA, it’s so elegant and simple to use but would be happy to have this in Project 250 as a comparison.

Would you be happy to have a chat over PM to discuss a few things.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Excellent work there, well done indeed, I have been doing soldering for 40 years, would like to have a go at doing this, if you ever have a chance to write up parts needed & some instructions.
Cheers,
Ami
Evening Ami,

Have a look at the links provided earlier as the instructions (use google chrome as it will auto translate for you) look pretty good and easy enough to follow for someone with your experience. It’s similar to the ColorMFA installation Instructions.

I’d be interested to know if this might be something you could tackle as it would save me potentially ruining a DIS cluster whilst having a go myself.

Have a rear to see what you think.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
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Evening Ami,

Have a look at the links provided earlier as the instructions (use google chrome as it will auto translate for you) look pretty good and easy enough to follow for someone with your experience. It’s similar to the ColorMFA installation Instructions.

I’d be interested to know if this might be something you could tackle as it would save me potentially ruining a DIS cluster whilst having a go myself.

Have a rear to see what you think.

Kind regards,

Tom
Evening Tom:
Thanks for the links, I will have a look at the links, I need to get back to doing some electronics work mate,
will keep you posted of course,
Have a good night
Ami
 
Evening,

This looks terrific and very on par with the ColorMFA features, after all its reading/displaying the very same information that’s available from the ECU.

I actually have a spare TDI DIS cluster that has a damaged pad from changing the red LCD screen which went a little wrong. Can you confirm that the pads which the original screen is soldered onto isn’t used during the installation, it certainly doesn’t look like it from the instructions but thought I’d ask before I even consider embarking on such a venture.

I do like the ColorMFA, it’s so elegant and simple to use but would be happy to have this in Project 250 as a comparison.

Would you be happy to have a chat over PM to discuss a few things.

Kind regards,

Tom
Hi,
I only used the back of the connectors inside the instrument cluster to connect the 3dcolormfd. You should be ok with damaged lcd pads, those are not needed.
First I wanted a ColorMFA but I never got a reply from the seller :(
I got tired of waiting and ordered a 3dcolormfd. I dont know which one is better, but they answered me right away.

We can chat over PM of course.
 
Is someone able to confirm the following:

1) whether or not soldering is needed starting with a full-DIS instrument cluster? Can the colormfd be a direct replacement?

2) are the instrument clusters for petrol and diesel interchangable? Know the rpm is different but assume the faceplate can swop over, but will a petrol cluster work on a diesel? What about fuel tank indication?
 
Neither an expert on this subject nor have this 3dcolormfd.... But if you read the instructions posted above from Tom it does state half DIS and Full DIS so if that is true then does not matter where you start from. Read the instruction very carefully several times as this is far from plug and play and you will need to modify the existing circuit board.

The answer to the second question is no they are not interchangeable and dedicated part numbers cater for the fuel tank size, speedo and also the polarity of the fuel gauge. That said there does appear to be a few choices if you refer to the parts catalogue and narrow down your options from there.
 
I’ve fitted a few ColourMFA’s and yes @audifan is right. You remove the original screen entirely, you can even fit it to a cluster with no centre screen as it is an entirely self contained system, only uses the cluster for input and output.

You actually can fit almost any cluster to any car, the “foils” swap over if you want them to look correct, I.e TDI foils go on a petrol cluster. To make the scaling correct you have to adjust some tables in the EEPROM which is pretty easy
 
Evening Nathan,

A very warm welcome to you and what you a look to be able to bring to our fine community.

You have a PM sat in your inbox Sir.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
This looks excellent, I’ve just done a DIS upgrade to my A2 and have a mini DIS cluster going spare that would suit one of these boards/displays, then the normal DIS cluster could go into my wife’s A2👍.

There would be no rush and I could do it in slow time with no problems of changing SKC etc but I would have to update the mileage. I’ve contacted them and although there are no specific A2 instructions yet they say the A3 instructions are applicable, of course a non full DIS cluster will need an alternative to the grey connector for a few connections it has inc the stalk connections, but the grounded connections needed could be done internally.

I don’t mind a bit of micro soldering either.

Hmmmm

Andy
 
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