Connect Dashboard Cluster

[lfretwell]

Hi,
The company i work for has a 2006 Ford Transit Connect.
We were having problems with the electrics and took it to an auto-electrician, who said the dashboard cluster is the problem, and we require a new one.
He wants about £450 for this. However, on eBay I found a cluster for £80 from a car breaker. The thing is, it is from a 2007 Connect, will this still fit into our 2006 Connect, and work properly?

Thanks in advance,
Lee

[paul2012]

Should be ok, if it has the same part number (there are several versions)

Althought the instrument panel / cluster are part of the CAN-BUS system on models from 2006, so the replacement one may need to be re-programed to you van

I would advise you to comfirm with Ford First about re-progammimg, before buying a second hand unit

[lfretwell]

Thanks for the comment.
I have found the part no. on the existing dash cluster in the van.
I have also found a dash cluster matching the exact part number.
Does this mean it will go straight in without the need for re-programming?
Or is that still a possibility even though the part number matches exact?

Thanks again,
Lee

[Adam_84]

Something else to look into is the immobiliser chip sure I read somewhere that you have tore move a chip and solder it on the new cluster unless of course re-programming it does the same job.

[paul2012]

Thanks for the comment.
I have found the part no. on the existing dash cluster in the van.
I have also found a dash cluster matching the exact part number.
Does this mean it will go straight in without the need for re-programming?
Or is that still a possibility even though the part number matches exact?

Thanks again,
Lee

Yes it highly likely that it will need re-programimg to your van.

As no van is the same for example different equipment fiited like elec windows, stereo, alarm system, Air conditioning as all these are connect to the CAN-BUS systems
I would check with Ford first

[taz666]

yes it will definatly require programming, late model cars and van dash clusters hold a lot of information about the vehicle and also are an integral part of the immobilizer system and do a lot more than just tell you speed and how much fuel is in the tank