Aftermarket Gauge Cluster vs. Immobilizer

[JoeB]

Anyone have any info on how to retain the immobilizer / coded keys whilst changing out the gauge cluster for something aftermarket???

I have seen some info on 'other' forums which say the ECU must have codes disabled and thus I will lose the immobilizer.

believe it or not I'd like to keep the immobilizer and simply change the cluster out for a Motogadget digital dashboard pro or one of the koso RX2 styles

Should I just say 'fcukit' and buy a microtech ecu and motogadget and toss the rest of the stuff or is there a better (and cheaper) way of doing this?

[JoeB]

After reading dozens of posts and threads on gauges and immobilizers and ECU's and coded keys and all this nightmare shit, I found out a simple truth.

my S4 has the immobilizer separate from the gauge cluster - which directly contradicted the information I was initially provided.

So it is highly likely that later model Monsters suffer this agony, but my Y2K monster still has separate immobilizer.

Yippeeeee!

[brad black]

2001 year model S4 (the first year) has an external immobilisor like the ST4S.  all 2002 on monsters have the in dash immobilisor.

if the gauges can come out seperately, it's an early, non immo dash.

[JoeB]

My S4 is a 2000 model.  In Oztraya we got em a little earlier. 

[brad black]

ok, i'll argue the point.  not sure why.  i'm in aust too.

it's complianced 08/00 or later?  it has the updated clutch slave?  the engine side covers are silver, not green?  it has a 5.9m ecu?

that means it's a 2001 model.

apart from the fact that the s4 was introduced as a 2001 model.