After having my car (1998 VDP) for a month, and with a trip to Europe eminent, I am preparing my list of 2nd hand parts to purchase there.

My car was imported from the US, and is fitted with a speedo / odo in miles.
I would like to change this to the European KM/hr and KM, as used here in Taiwan.

There are plenty of such units available in Europe, but I was just wondering:
1. Can these be swept without problems?
2. Will it indicate in KM's correctly after the swap (I presume it is only the face plate which is different?)
3. Will it count correctly (in KM's), or will I need to change the sensor too?
4. Can the ODO be re-programmed to represent the correct distance of the car in KM's?
5. If so, how, and who can do this?

Anyone? Advise much appreciated!

Eric

 

seems a lot of effort for one trip?, just use the formula of 80 kms is 50 mph etc. when i was driving in europe, i just used that and was fine.

 

Not sure on yours but later cars it's part of anti-theft and swapping will disable the car. Why not just swap the dial or live with it?

 

Ha, sorry ... the car is in Taiwan, and will stay there.

The trip to EU will be by plane, and is a perfect opportunity to buy some parts, the speedo perhaps one of them (Taiwan uses KM's).

Hence the question on swapping, and most importantly indeed the relation to the alarm/anti-theft system.

Anyone who can confirm this?

 

Hello Eric....what does the hand book say?
I could be wrong but I thought there is a section on chabging from klm to miles....or is that only for the trip computer??
Same as changing from F. to C. in temps.

 

Yup, can change, but the ODO always remains in miles.

I saw they sell face plates in the UK for imported cars (KM to miles) to
pass the DOT, but never saw KM face plates.

And yes, I am a sucker for perfection ...

 

The IPK or instrument can be exchanged.

There is a module component list called the VCATS list in the trunk of your car (near the spare wheel well) on this list are all the electronic modules and more importantly their program version.

You need the same model year and as close to your car's build date for the part to work. An XJ model the same as your car. Compare the VCATS codes if they're the same it will work, if not....you guessed it.

Hope this helps.

 

Thx all, and thanks Sean,

Correct names of components brought me to the tread of Jimlombardi, which gives most of answers.

Will dig up my VCATS, and let the various suppliers do their homework.

I have no problem to spend some money on a new cluster, but the distance makes it almost impossible to return it if it should not work.

Eric

 

Hello Sean...that is very good info and thanks for sharing.
It will come in handy for the future.
We can never have enough info for our beloved cats welfare ;o))

 

The advice I've covered on here a number of times over the years, the main thing is ALL modules can be changed this way - as long as they have the same firmware programming, it has to be exact or a trip to the dealers and re-program of the part.

It's to dodge a needless expensive route

 

Sean,

I managed to ask the right questions.

My VCATS states: May 18-1998 - IPK LNC4300AH/302

The KM dash I can buy states: Nov 10-1998 - ROM034e s/w ver 341

If I follow your advise to Jim, this should most likely work right?

Eric

 

I am almost in the same situation, importing a car from UK (miles) to Romania (km), but I can live with it.
I changed most of my electric harnesses and modules(conversion from RHD to LHD) without having the VCATS list, as on European cars it's not present.
You need a car part number, have a look on the bellow link, it depends of your VIN.
Speedometer/Tachometer and Gauges - Parts For XJ Series from (V)812317 to (V)F59525 (X308) | Jaguar Classic Parts UK

I understand you are from NL, I bought recently some parts from
Tellerklok X308 | GebruikteJaguarOnderdelen.nl
seems they have the part you need.

 

I also live in EU and have a US XJR, I like the MPG thing much more than L/KM couse i dont give a clue how much fuel does it actually take and i sleep better)

 

Well, that is much bigger transplant then I ever plan to do .

Thx for the link.
There are 3 big breakers for Jaguar parts in The Netherlands.
I found a 1998 cluster which should do, for much less at an other one, very helpful guy as well.
It is ordered with some other stuff (like a rear view mirror), and I will pick it up end of the month.

Enjoy your Jag, you live in a beautiful country to ride it.

Eric

 

Yeah, I know I am a sucker ... and if I forget, my wife will kindly remind me

 

Came back from an EU trip, with a suitcase full of new and 2nd hand parts, an EU instrument cluster one of them.

Well, long story short, just replacing did not work so far.
The fuel gauge worked, but I got no lighting, no ODO, and it gave a ABS + restricted mode warning.

I had too much of a jet-lag to spends patient time on it, did not bother to take it for a ride, and installed the old one back in.
After that, everything functioned fine, without warnings.

Guess need to dig deeper into this one.

 

Reviving my old tread as I finally have time to tackle this a bit further.

Unfortunately, I am unknown territory here, so any advise is welcome.

Small reminder: I have 2 instrument clusters, one which came with the car (US - counting in miles), and one replacement, from same generation and close to the VCATS number (EU - displaying / counting in KM).
However, a direct swap did not work out.

So my idea is to take apart both clusters, disconnect the face plates, swap them, and install the original US print-plate with the EU face-plate.




Only thing is I met is that the ODO meter has its own little print-plate, which seems not possible to swap.

Any takers on this? Mission impossible or still opportunities?

 

Did you succed with the swap? I'm kind of curious as I'm in the same position as you
Got a US car here in Sweden.

 

Yes, succeeded, and everything works like a charm.
I am very happy I did the swap.
With all different speed limits here, it is much more relaxing.

Did as described, used the gauges from the EU on the USA motherboard.
Faceplate is connected with several small connectors to the motherboard, but they can be disconnected carefully before swapping.

I however kept the original ODO meter + its own small board (so counting in miles), to keep the reference for maintenance.
As soon as I can find someone to reset the KM ODO, will change that one too.
No priority though.

E.

 

Hi Eric, this is the thread I was searching for.