A few months back when we bought our '05 MCS, the speedo cluster was not clocking mileage, something faulty with in the cluster itself. So, the dealer from which it was purchased replace it with a used speedometer(not what I wanted, but that a whole different story.)

Anyway, with the non-VIN specific speedometer, we're stuck with the airbag/seatbelt warning lights. There are no fault codes and can not be cleared by even the Mini dealer, whom I paid to try. They said the cluster, or 'kombo' need to be replaced with a brand new one specific to our VIN. My question is, can a used cluster be reprogrammed or have the VIN changed to match our vehicle? I dont expect much of a response on this, but I thought I'd check. Thanks!

 

I have NOT DONE THIS YET, but I have done some research, as I want to do something similar, but the BMW guys seem to be able to do this with some software called: INPA (which is in German), NCS Dummy (a translated version) and another called Kustomizer.

I want to change the VIN, in a replacement ECU I have, for my car so I can have a bone stock one, and one to do tuning on, I have not figured out exactly how to do it yet and do not want to start doing it without a good background knowledge, as I dont want a car that no longer works!

 

Like this? http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/280882328288?lpid=82
Looks like an open source. I don't know if Id want to mess with it personally. I did open source stuff with the STi, but these cars seem to be complicated in every aspect. One wrong move and the doors will fall off with the inability to to fix without replacing the shell

 

[QUOTE=RYOAK5150;3825325
Looks like an open source. I don't know if Id want to mess with it personally. I did open source stuff with the STi, but these cars seem to be complicated in every aspect. One wrong move and the doors will fall off with the inability to to fix without replacing the shell [/QUOTE]

Yes just like that, and I have to tell you that your are correct, but I did literally laugh out loud on that, there are some video on youtube of the BMW guys doing the work, and I am going to look into this, but I agree very few people have really bothered to take a look into the inner workings of the Mini.BMW computers yet.

 

So a little info for you guys.

The mileage for our wonderful toys is stored in the center cluster and in the computer. The center cluster, as you know already, is also VIN coded to the car. To my knowledge, or no one has shared, no one has successfully been able to wipe a used cluster to enable it to read the correct mileage. Now Way, at Way Motor Works, has been able to code a used chrono-pac to the vin on my mini. But we could not get the mileage to read correctly. So I have no error lights and everything works except mileage is off.

If you in fact have success with this software please, please, post back and keep this thread updated.

 

I know of this all too well. My mileage wasnt clocking at all, which is why the dealer changed my cluster. The car clocks but is actually reading higher mileage than what the vehicle has. Mini was able to use my key to determine the mileage...oddly enough. But not even they could fix it to read correctly.

SO you changed out your cluster and had error lights due to mis-match VIN and shop was able to clear those codes?? Thats my concern, the mileage is a lost cause, Im just sick of the seatbelt and airbag lighting up and beeping eveytime we take off.

 

Correct. Im not sure of your location, but Way Motor Works in atlanta got my vin coded.

 

Cool. My local shop in Austin is looking into for me. Ive contacted Motor Works for some insight too. Hopefully I can get somewhere with it. Thanks

 

If you send me all the computers out of the car I'm willing to try and do it, but no promises as it's not suppose to be able to be done. I'll only charge you if I'm successful, but you have to pay shipping either way.

 

I wish I had that option. It's the wife's commuter and we can't have it down too long. How many computers are in the car??? If I can't get it done locally then I'll consider it when we have some free time to wait. Courious on a commission should you be successful. Feel free to PM me the info. Thanks!