Mechanical to Digital Cluster Swap?

STiTCH87

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I suppose I am the only person on side with NewFlyer. Maybe this forum is just chock full of people who don't wish to critically think?

Let me verify what he has already stated and lay it out for everyone:
Firstly, you're paying $100 for a gauge cluster that looks almost exactly the same except you want your little red speedometer pin to be digital? Foolish.
You may argue the digital dash has other features, and that is true, but NONE of those will work on a model that it did not come with as you'd need the upgraded steering controls, upgraded radio, etc.
The door and trunk sensors are different so it won't show when those are open. The list goes on.

That being said, if you still want to spend $100+ to make your little red needle a digital one, you'd have to take apart more than you may think.

It is all one piece covering the cluster, that being the vents, upper plastic to the steering column, and the radio mounts on top if it also.

So you would need to unscrew the top bezel of the steering column, remove your radio, then with a pry tool remove that whole front bezel piece without breaking it or removing clips.

Possible? Of course. Could you do it quickly? Perhaps. Is it worth it? That is a matter of opinion.
I wouldn't as there is no advantage in installing the digital cluster except for changing the needle, as no other feature differences would work. (This assuming the cluster would even turn on in the first place.) Do you know if the pins from cluster to cluster are the same?

There is also one much larger issue you are all forgetting, the odometer. How do you plan to properly display the accurate mileage? That information may be stored in the gauge cluster itself.
Some cars store that information in the car's computer, but do you know that this model does for sure? They often need to be reprogrammed to display correctly and generally only a dealership can do this. Good luck with resale for a good price if it's inaccurate.

So now that I have probably pissed off EVERYONE, lol, i'm done. There's my 2 cents.

Proceed with whining and calling intelligent people retarded...
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I have another theory. The reason why the swaps worked on the Chrysler 200 were because the 5.0 and 8.4 inch displays ran off the same software stack. Just downsized and less functional in the 5.0 But the fonts were the same, the colour scheme was the same, the ability to tune the radio was the same by hitting tune and pressing the keypad (which is a great feature). Steering wheel controls, gauge cluster ran off the software that had the same foundation which is why it worked.

With the Honda, I have an android tablet on the dash with a software stack that debuted on the 2016 Civic and Accord. It can access the web, built in calculator etc. The software on 2015 Civics and Accords ran off a completely different and now obsolete system (which we're still seeing on Acuras) On LX/Sport models, I have an iMid screen and software stack that was introduced in 2012 on the Civic. It's not android and is completely different from the Display Audio software. Dare I call it a 'dumb' system since it only does AM/FM/iPod/Bluetooth and Phone. Now I am certain that the function between the headunit and and the screen are linked, since there is NO case of Honda putting in the digital gauges without the Display audio despite the countless combination of Civic trims.

Now, I am genuinely curious to watch OP do the swap, so that someone can be the guinea pig and assume all risk and I would like to see the results. But I'm certain that when you get the cluster in, you're gonna get speedometer, tachometer and PERHAPS your fuel economy indicator AT BEST. Your ability to cycle through maintenance minder, settings, music could be non existent since on the digital gauges, the protruding stick only changes Trip A/B/Odometer and not functions like oil life. How are you going to select a particular page when you have the 'source' button on the steering wheel and not the 'enter' button and without the i button?

To me, the best case scenerio for this swap is limited functionality (anything short of full functionality is a fail in my books) and worse case scenerio, it doesn't work, you have to rebuild your dash teardown or you go buy the Display Audio, Climate control setup
.
I have said this in wristbike's other thread. Shoulda bought the Honda Sensing equipped model for $1000 more, or spent $1600 for the EX to get alloys, moonroof, push and remote start, Display Audio right off the bat.
 

STiTCH87

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I have another theory. The reason why the swaps worked on the Chrysler 200 were because the 5.0 and 8.4 inch displays ran off the same software stack. Just downsized and less functional in the 5.0 But the fonts were the same, the colour scheme was the same, the ability to tune the radio was the same by hitting tune and pressing the keypad (which is a great feature). Steering wheel controls, gauge cluster ran off the software that had the same foundation which is why it worked.

With the Honda, I have an android tablet on the dash with a software stack that debuted on the 2016 Civic and Accord. It can access the web, built in calculator etc. The software on 2015 Civics and Accords ran off a completely different and now obsolete system (which we're still seeing on Acuras) On LX/Sport models, I have an iMid screen and software stack that was introduced in 2012 on the Civic. It's not android and is completely different from the Display Audio software. Dare I call it a 'dumb' system since it only does AM/FM/iPod/Bluetooth and Phone. Now I am certain that the function between the headunit and and the screen are linked, since there is NO case of Honda putting in the digital gauges without the Display audio despite the countless combination of Civic trims.

Now, I am genuinely curious to watch OP do the swap, so that someone can be the guinea pig and assume all risk and I would like to see the results. But I'm certain that when you get the cluster in, you're gonna get speedometer, tachometer and PERHAPS your fuel economy indicator AT BEST. Your ability to cycle through maintenance minder, settings, music could be non existent since on the digital gauges, the protruding stick only changes Trip A/B/Odometer and not functions like oil life. How are you going to select a particular page when you have the 'source' button on the steering wheel and not the 'enter' button and without the i button?

To me, the best case scenerio for this swap is limited functionality (anything short of full functionality is a fail in my books) and worse case scenerio, it doesn't work, you have to rebuild your dash teardown or you go buy the Display Audio, Climate control setup
.
I have said this in wristbike's other thread. Shoulda bought the Honda Sensing equipped model for $1000 more, or spent $1600 for the EX to get alloys, moonroof, push and remote start, Display Audio right off the bat.

Perfectly explained. I have nothing more to add as this simply cannot be any more clear. I'll still follow along to see if he somehow pulls it off (we already know the outcome there), but no more responses as i'd consider this thread closed personally.
 

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Just wanted to give an update. I received the speedometer and radio from a junk yard in the beginning of January. A couple days after receiving them I got a call from the dealer telling me that I could trade in my practically brand new car and get an EX-T with little deficit and I chose to do that. I now own an ex-t and love it so much more.
Perfectly explained. I have nothing more to add as this simply cannot be any more clear. I'll still follow along to see if he somehow pulls it off (we already know the outcome there), but no more responses as i'd consider this thread closed personally.
 


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After driving an ExT for 6 months the flashy displays are all just little perks. Honestly I would rather have a Sport manual hatch with a Tab S2 8" mounted in my dash.
 

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Even if if you were able to swap clusters, they would still need to be programmed via HDS...and that's where compatibility really comes in. Every cluster that's had a digital odometer needs the old odometer in order to be programmed properly. The HDS reads the old odometer and transfers the mileage data to the new one. With these new digital clusters I would assume compatibility and programming between analog and digital is different. Just like when us techs have to update audio unit software, if we use an update for a audio/navi unit on a regular audio unit...or vice versa...it will damage said unit. You may be able to swap in a digital cluster, but it most likely will not program properly leaving you with an expensive paper weight.
 

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I installed digital cluster from 2017 EX hatchback on my 2018 LX hatchback. It works, exept I can't reset tpms(low pressure tire). And I decide to swap back to the original cluster.
 


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I installed digital cluster from 2017 EX hatchback on my 2018 LX hatchback. It works, exept I can't reset tpms(low pressure tire). And I decide to swap back to the original cluster.
Thanks for sharing.

Sidenote:

I didnt thought this will resurface and i will say my last word

I was just honestly curious about the compatibility between the two parts. I had no plan to test it myself as I already started a career job at the time. but as a Former car guy and knowing this civic will be popular for car mods, I open the post out of curious and providing information. :dunno::dunno:

It might not worth the risk and time to some of you normal people who would use this civic as a commuter. but for car guys who are used to taking cars apart, yes even brand new cars. This would be a useful information.

You can run theory and what if all you want, your idea on time and value doesnt apply to everyone.
 
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Thanks for sharing.

Sidenote:

I didnt thought this will resurface and i will say my last word

I was just honestly curious about the compatibility between the two parts. I had no plan to test it myself as I already started a career job at the time. but as a Former car guy and knowing this civic will be popular for car mods, I open the post out of curious and providing information. :dunno::dunno:

It might not worth the risk and time to some of you normal people who would use this civic as a commuter. but for car guys who are used to taking cars apart, yes even brand new cars. This would be a useful information.

You can run theory and what if all you want, your idea on time and value doesnt apply to everyone.
This thread was truly a train wreck. You asked a solid question and was met with unwarranted hostility... I'm glad someone tried it and it worked.
 

jdmsleepr

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I can honestly say this swap was relatively easy. As Domicubarican said though, the milage needs to be programmed to reflect actual mileage of the vehicle. No other programming needs done.
 
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I installed digital cluster from 2017 EX hatchback on my 2018 LX hatchback. It works, exept I can't reset tpms(low pressure tire). And I decide to swap back to the original cluster.
So I have 2019 hatch with a digital cluster you think it’s possible to swap with a si?
 

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I installed digital cluster from 2017 EX hatchback on my 2018 LX hatchback. It works, exept I can't reset tpms(low pressure tire). And I decide to swap back to the original cluster.
Did you have to buy the volume rocker as well? Or did those additional features even work? I’ve also heard that if you put in a cluster that doesn’t match up with your miles it wont let you turn your car on
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