No advantage to my knowledge. I assume the trip computer option was either made cheaper or standard in the later models. Fewer trip computers were ordered with the earlier A4s so they are harder to find.

Yep, that's correct. Here's a picture.

 

Dammit! Come to think of it, in the junkyard, I saw what I'm assuming was a '98.5-'99 without a LCD, but with the variable intermittent wiper control. What does the back of yours look like, this?

 

Yes. If you don't want to cut plugs off and solder a ton of wires, you'll need a 96/97 cluster with an LCD. 98+ has different plugs.

 

Exactly. And some sensors may not work. Oh well, something I'll have to think about. If I go ahead with it, I'll definitely post pictures! (And probably be asking for help! )

 

Oh, I got it. After 99.5, everything switched to can-bus. While everything we have is all analog. Yeah, I'm just gonna sell it, and make a little money in the process.

 

Sorry for raping my own thread, but just want to figure this out. So what would need to be done to switch from mine to cluster 2? Besides the controls.

 

My first advice would be to invest in a Bentley manual. It was the single most valuable resource when I was doing all my electrical work. I spent hours studying the electrical diagrams to try and understand how everything is working together. Wire colors, pin numbers, and locations are crucial for attempting a swap like this.

You wouldn't need to actually cut the plugs off. You could go through and pull each pin out and insert it into the correct slot on the new plug (assuming the pins and slots didn't change between the two clusters.) We're talking about pulling at least 30 pins. I pull pins with a makeshift pin pusher made out of brass flat stock and some needle nose pliers. It's not easy and highly frustrating. It would probably be a good idea to spend the money on a pin puller tool set.

I would really weigh the cost benefit on this. That cluster differences thread talks about some compatibility or error issues swapping between cluster 1 and cluster 2. You don't want to start modifying things in a permanent or semi-permanent way and have stuff not work when you get it together. The work involved in swapping to cluster 2 from cluster 1 would not be worth it to me. The only reason I did the swap was because I was able to find a 97 cluster and wiper arm. I made sure all the wiring I did was reversible if I ever wanted to switch back to the old cluster.

 

Right. I already have a Bentley, the first thing I bought. I really just want a working cluster at this point. I can deal with a semi working while I'm in the process of installing a new one, but I know this one isn't going to get any better. I know it sounds stupid, but I think it makes sense.

 

Just a small update. I got the right cluster, should be here tuesday along with the switches. Now as I said awhile ago, I converted the whole backside to LED. And I don't know if it's coincidence or what, but now when I turn my lights on, not even headlights, no fogs, just parking lights, my cruise goes out. I can feel it try and keep speed, but it just can't. Anybody know what this would be? I'm leaning towards the pump.

 

You can follow the procedure in this thread to check the CC pump and diagnose the system.

Cruise Control Diagnostic for Non-DBW A4 Ver.1 (Longer than Long) - AudiWorld Forums

My CC hasn't worked since I bought the car. I've narrowed it down to the electrical side since all my hardware works properly.