Thanks Pedro.
It really irks me when stuff like this goes bad on these cars. Never had an instrument problem on any car I've owned other than burned light bulbs. But I've never replaced a lot of things on other cars like I've replaced on this Boxster. Research shows cluster problems on 986/996s are not uncommon.
As far as the analog gauge, yes it works but I can hardly read it and do not want to depend on it. I did use it when mine was out and it is really hard to accurately determine your speed especially at low speeds through the neighborhood where I have to be vigilant for radar.
I came across this how to article on how to upgrade a Boxster to a 996 cluster. This project is well beyond my capabilities but might consider this at an Indy if mine stays out. I seem to remember a few guys on the old board doing this particularly a guy pulling his hair out who installed a used Turbo gauge in his Boxster.
This article installed a used gauge cluster from a 996 wreck and it was $500.00! I'm afraid to ask what a new cluster cost. I've seen quotes to $2,000.
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www.pelicanparts.com]
Here is a quote I found about the LCDs. Apparently they can be replaced in some cars if a leaking or faulty LCD is a culprit:
"i just installed the blue led kit in my '99 996 cab. it was a pain in the a$$ because the led's have to sit perfect or they dont work. point of the story is this, the lcd screens are NOT soldiered to the ribbons. just remove the silver metal clip that holds them down and you can pull off the screen easily. the screen has contacts that merely touch the ribbon and the metal clip kepps them in place." The discussion also states that VDO does not offer replacement parts for clusters. Maybe that has changed.