Highline Cluster Upgrade Info and FAQ's

[RetroRaz]

Hi Everyone

As the Lowline/Midline to Highline cluster change is very common now, theres been a lot of new threads on this subject. I am making this guide to help anyone who may have questions about the upgrade.

Types of Clusters:

Lowline - This cluster is basic level. It will only display the time, outside temerature, mileage and trip computer
These will come in part numbers ending 950,951,952,953,954




Midline - This cluster is advanced level, as well as the above it will display MPG, Average MPG, Miles till empty, Average Speed, time ignition on.
These will come in part numbers ending 960,961,962,963,964




Highline - This cluster is the expert level. As well as the above, it will show you an image of your car to show which doors are open, setup menu, Audio, navigation, phone.(Additional parts may be needed for eg RNS 510)
These will come in part numbers ending 970,971,972,973,974




Buying the right cluster:

A lot of people get confused as to which cluster to buy. You can upgrade to any of the Highline Clusters, the way they are coded is different.

970,971 & 972 Clusters can be programmed using a VAG Commander Cable. These clusters are usually more expensive as you can buy the Vag Commander for under £20 and code it yourself.

973 and 974 clusters will need to be sent to a specialist. ( I reccommend Eddie-NL as he did mine and really knows his stuff) I have found these clusters are cheaper as you still have to pay to get these coded by a specialist.


Coding:

To get the clusters to work in your car, you will first need to find out your cars SKC code. This can be found sometimes with a spare key you have a small tag with the number on it. If you dont then you can obtain this code using Vag Commander  ** The Vag Commander Clone cable only works on MK5 clusters  years 04 - mid 06. (Clocks ending in 950,951,952,960,961,962,970,971,972) **

If your clocks arent ending in those part numbers and you dont have your SKC code, you will need to refer to a specialist.

If you have your SKC code and have Highline clusters ending in 970,971 or 972 I would follow this guide to code them:
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=201776.0

otherwise refer to a specialist.


MultiFunction Steering Wheel Compatability

For those who have multifunction steering wheels with the newer style buttons, I would suggest going for a 972/973/974 clusters, If you don't intend on purchasing a multifunction steering wheel then go for a 970/971 cluster which will allow you to access the highline menu using your wiper stalk rocker switch

FAQ

WIll a cluster from Petrol work in Diesel and vice versa?
Yes it will, however you have to make sure you keep in mind where your red line is, eg: If you put a set of GTI clusters into a TDI, the new clusters red line will be around the 8k mark and on a TDI it is 6k revs, so although your red line will show as 8k, your actual red line will be 6k.

I have a DSG transmission, do I need a specific cluster?
No, you can use any. The clusters will pick up from the car if it is DSG/Manual and change the display accordingly.

I have a set of highline clusters from the USA ending in 870,871,872,873,874. Will these work?
Yes, Although you will find that the temperature gauge will be in Fahrenheit. You can open the clusters and swap the foils around to UK ones which show Celsius. 

I have fitted my cluster but the cant access the menu. What is wrong?
Press and hold the "up" position on your rocker switch for a few seconds. If that doesn't show the menu then check the part number. If you have a 972/973/974 cluster, then you may need to purchase a multifunction steering wheel to access the menu.

I have lowline clusters without a rocker switch, what do I do? what parts do I need?
Firstly you would need a new wiper stalk with the rocker switch,,a type 2 slip ring (part number ending in C), a new steering wheel control module (Midline or Highline) and the highline cluster. You would need someone with VCDS to code the new steering wheel control module.



If there are more questions, please ask and I will update this thread.

If I have made any errors in this guide, please let me know and I will correct them.

[v4rley]

   

972 and 973 clusters will need to be sent to a specialist.

Should it be 973 and 974  only minor error in a great informative post 

[RetroRaz]

   

972 and 973 clusters will need to be sent to a specialist.

Should it be 973 and 974  only minor error in a great informative post 

Cheers buddy.

Corrected it now :D

[skard]

Also worth noting that you can use non UK clusters that have an 8 instead of 9 in the part number, so 872 etc. I once had a set with Lockwood inserts with these, coding is done all the same but you cannot reuse your foils as the MPH scaling is different. You'll need the import inserts.

The midline's in the pic are actually mine and if you look close enough, have US dials on the speed side which came off said cluster (they show words instead of pictures for many objects).

As a rule of thumb, if you have a MFSW with an OK button then avoid x70/x71 clocks as they are intended for use with the MFA+ stalk and previous button layout.

[Eddie-NL]

it also is gamble what you get with 973 & 974

when it comes to MENU button function on a Mfsw or Stalk Control

[RetroRaz]

Also worth noting that you can use non UK clusters that have an 8 instead of 9 in the part number, so 872 etc. I once had a set with Lockwood inserts with these, coding is done all the same but you cannot reuse your foils as the MPH scaling is different. You'll need the import inserts.

The midline's in the pic are actually mine and if you look close enough, have US dials on the speed side which came off said cluster (they show words instead of pictures for many objects).

As a rule of thumb, if you have a MFSW with an OK button then avoid x70/x71 clocks as they are intended for use with the MFA+ stalk and previous button layout.

Cheers Buddy. Yes thats one thing I forgot was the MFSW and USA Compatability. Ill update it now. Thanks :D

[RetroRaz]

it also is gamble what you get with 973 & 974

when it comes to MENU button function on a Mfsw or Stalk Control

Cheers Ed. Ill add this in too

[corjinovschi@gmail.com]

I am new to this forum but for sure i will stay for long a fan and use of VAG cars so here is my problem.
A few weeks ago i retrofitted on my car (2006 MK5) a MFSW with the new type of buttons.
Before i have read this site i have purchased a high line cluster MFA+ made in 2004, the only type that could fit my car without going to a specialist.
Now i am waiting to receive it as it comes all the way from UK.
I realise now that my menu button (on the MFSW) may not work.
So i have looked to replace the MFSW with the old type but i couldn't find any.
I also intend to instal a bluetooth kit 5N0035730C about witch i understand that it may not work for the same reasons (my old type cluster).
My questions are like this:
If i also retrofit a stalk for the MFA+ would everything work ok? Meaning could i replace the non functional menu button with the stalk? Would my phone button on the wheel work?
OR: Should i not plug in the cluster, buy a newer version and take it to a specialist to set it wright for my car?
Also, if i set the cluster for my car (this old type one), could i sell it and than be set by someone else  for his car? or it is a one time job?
Thanks. 

[usmangti]

Ive fitted newer style buttons to an older speedo (970). Everything works fine. We had to go through a few of the options on VCDS however no dramas really. Now both my stalk and steering wheel control the highlime speedo however I have to use the steering wheel menu buttons to switch between audio/mfd/vehicle settings. The stalks allows controls in whichever menu is on. Some say pressing and holding up on the stalk switches between menus but I haven't tried that yet. I will find out and let you know here.
alot of folks say newer buttons wont work with a older speedo but from what I have seen that is not true.
FYI  I upgraded from a midline gti with no MFSW. I also had to upgrade the steering module as it was a midline spec.   

[usmangti]

So just checked with my car, I can't access other menus from the stalk and only can control what is currently displayed. I wonder if that's due to coding or because of the buttons on the steering wheel also being active.

[corjinovschi@gmail.com]

So you do not know if the stalk is "a must have" although I have MFSW. Anyway ... I will tell you all about the situation saturday when I am done with the retrofit. Thank you so much. I was really worried. 

[skard]

Stalk is only needed for x70/71 clusters, it will work with x72/73/74 sets, but is effectively  redundant, especially if your MFSW has an OK button.

[corjinovschi@gmail.com]

I have forgotten to say mine is a x71 cluster.

[skard]

What layout of buttons does your MFSW have, OK on the right side, or not?
If no OK then you need to keep the stalk.

[corjinovschi@gmail.com]

I do not have the stalk yet. I have the OK button on my right with arrows for up and down. I have the cluster that I am about to instal and the MFSW already mounted.