Upgrading Instrument Clusters for the Holden VX Commodore
- Document Contents
- Introduction
- Level 1 Instrument Clusters
- Level 2 Instrument Clusters
- Level 3 Instrument Clusters
- Cluster Customisation Mode
- Cluster Speed and Fuel Calibration (Level 2 and 3 Only)
- Cluster Engineering Mode
- Swapping Instrument Clusters
- Instrument Cluster Wiring Information
- Resetting the Service Due Reminder
- Document Information
- Information on upgrading Instrument Clusters for the VX Holden Commodore
- Vehicle: Holden Commodore (VX)
- Copyright Owner: Matthew Jones (Matti Jones) (ZerOne)
- Document Visits: 9018
- Created: Sat Nov 13, 2010 5:23 am
- Revised: Sat Nov 13, 2010 7:23 am (Rev 1)
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This Document Describes the differences between various models of Instrument Clusters fitted to the VT and VX Series Holden Commodore.
It also has information on upgrading an Instrument Cluster, modifications that need to be made, wiring information, and some points to watch out for when performing these upgrades.
There were three models of Instrument Clusters that were fitted to the VT Series Commodore.
This was later increased to four models with the advent of the VX Series of Commodore.
The Following Images of Clusters have been taken from various VT and VX Commodore Models, and include,
- Level 1 Clusters, as fitted to VT Executive, S, SS and Acclaim models
- Level 1 Clusters, as fitted to VX Executive, S, and Acclaim models
- Level 1 Clusters with coloured backgrounds, as fitted to VX SS models
- Level 2 Clusters, as fitted to VT Series I Berlina and Calais Models
- Level 2 Clusters, as fitted to VT Series II Berlina Models
- Level 2 Clusters, as fitted to VX Berlina Models
- Level 3 Clusters, as fitted to VT Series II Calais Models
- Level 3 Clusters, as fitted to VX Calais Models
- Level 3 Clusters, as fitted to VH Statesman and Caprice Models
- Level 1 Clusters, as fitted to VT Executive, S, SS and Acclaim models
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This cluster has the following features
- A Single LCD Panel displaying Odometer, as well as trip computer functions.
- Green Illumination, with White Cluster Needles
- 220Km Electronic Speedo, with 20Km Speed Numeral Markings, and 5Km Line Markings
- 7000 RPM Tacho, with 1000RPM Numeral Markings, and 500RPM Line Markings
- Fuel Gauge with Electronic Dampening with Low Fuel Warning
- Temperature Gauge, with high Temperature warning Lamp
- Seatbelt Warning for Driver
- Park Brake Warning
- Brake Fail Warning Lamp
- Turn Signal and High Beam Indicators
- Lights on with Ignition off warning
- Low Oil Warning Lamp
- Alternator Warning Lamp
- Spot Lamp Indicator Lamp-
- Cruise Control On Indicator Lamp-
- Cruise Control Active Indicator Lamp-
- Overspeed Warning Lamp-
- Transmission Power Mode Indicator Lamp-
- Airbag Fault Warning Lamp-
- Check Engine Warning Lamp-
- Traction Control Disabled Warning Lamp-
- Low Traction Warning Lamp-
- Diagnostic Mode
- A Single LCD Panel displaying Odometer, as well as trip computer functions.
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This cluster has the following features
- Three LCD Panels displaying Odometer, as well as multiple trip computer functions.
- Green Illumination, with White Cluster Needles
- 220Km Electronic Speedo, with 20Km Speed Numeral Markings, and 5Km Line Markings
- 7000 RPM Tacho, with 1000RPM Numeral Markings, and 500RPM Line Markings
- Fuel Gauge with Electronic Dampening with Low Fuel Warning
- Temperature Gauge, with high Temperature warning Lamp
- Seatbelt Warning for Driver
- Park Brake Warning
- Brake Fail Warning Lamp
- Turn Signal and High Beam Indicators
- Lights on with Ignition off warning
- Low Oil Warning Lamp
- Alternator Warning Lamp
- Spot Lamp Indicator Lamp-
- Cruise Control On Indicator Lamp-
- Cruise Control Active Indicator Lamp-
- Overspeed Warning Lamp-
- Transmission Power Mode Indicator Lamp-
- Airbag Fault Warning Lamp-
- Check Engine Warning Lamp-
- Traction Control Disabled Warning Lamp-
- Low Traction Warning Lamp-
- Diagnostic Mode
- Three LCD Panels displaying Odometer, as well as multiple trip computer functions.
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This cluster has the following features
- Three LCD Panels displaying Odometer, as well as multiple trip computer functions.
- Automatic Transmission Gear Position Indicator.
- Green Illumination, with White Cluster Needles
- 220Km Electronic Speedo, with 20Km Speed Numeral Markings, and 5Km Line Markings
- 7000 RPM Tacho, with 1000RPM Numeral Markings, and 500RPM Line Markings
- Fuel Gauge with Electronic Dampening with Low Fuel Warning
- Temperature Gauge, with high Temperature warning Lamp
- Seatbelt Warning for Driver
- Park Brake Warning
- Brake Fail Warning Lamp
- Turn Signal and High Beam Indicators
- Lights on with Ignition off warning
- Low Oil Warning Lamp
- Alternator Warning Lamp
- Spot Lamp Indicator Lamp-
- Cruise Control On Indicator Lamp-
- Cruise Control Active Indicator Lamp-
- Overspeed Warning Lamp-
- Transmission Power Mode Indicator Lamp-
- Airbag Fault Warning Lamp-
- Check Engine Warning Lamp-
- Traction Control Disabled Warning Lamp-
- Low Traction Warning Lamp-
- Diagnostic Mode
- Three LCD Panels displaying Odometer, as well as multiple trip computer functions.
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The trip computer features can be optionally customised by the vehicle owner if required.
When the vehicle is stationary, hold down the MODE button while turning the ignition from OFF to ON.
The trip computer then steps you through a series of menu items,
1) ODO (odometer) window shown or disabled.
Use the Up or Down Arrow button to select YES or NO as to whether the odometer will be displayed when the ignition is ON.
Note that the odometer will still be active in the background, and will appear when the ignition is OFF.
When the display is flashing on your selection, press the MODE button to go the next menu option.
2) TRIP distance - feature enabled or disabled.
Use the Up or Down Arrow button until your choice is flashing. Press the MODE button to go to menu option 3.
3) DISTANCE TO GO - feature enabled or disabled. This choice will activate an additional set of displays including DISTANCE TO GO and TIME TO GO.
Use the Up or Down Arrow button until your choice is flashing. Press the MODE button to go to menu option 4.
4) Adjust DISTANCE TO GO default setting.
The DISTANCE TO GO can be reset (when not in customise mode) by pressing the Up and Down Arrow buttons together.
The distance resets to 500 km, which is the default setting. When in customise mode, menu 4 enables the default setting to be altered up or down with the Up or Down Arrow buttons.
When the desired value has been set, press the MODE button to go to menu option 5.
5) UNDERSPEED chime. The OVERSPEED provides a chime when your travelling speed exceeds the OVERSPEED chosen speed.
An additional chime can be activated to indicated when the vehicle speed drops below the OVERSPEED Limit.
Use the Up or Down Arrow button to select YES or NO as to whether the underspeed chime will be played when the vehicle speed drops below the OVERSPEED setting.
When the desired value has been set, press the MODE button to exit the cluster customise mode.
Additional Displays
Two additional displays can be activated using the cluster customise mode.
These additional displays include the DISTANCE TO GO and the TIME TO GO Displays.
When these additional displays are activated, they will be made available by pressing the MODE button to scroll through the Trip Computer displays.
The new trip computer displays will be added between the TRIP display and the DISTANCE TO EMPTY display.
The Cluster Customise mode can be used to deactivate the displays, if required.
Distance To Go Display
At the start of a trip an estimate of distance to arrival (from maps, road signs etc.) should be made.
Tap the Up or Down Arrow buttons until the display shows estimated trip distance.
When the vehicle is driven the trip computer will constantly update the estimated time to arrival, based on changing driving speeds.
The Up or Down Arrow buttons can be used to adjust the kilometres any time this display is shown.
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The speedo reading and fuel level calibration numbers can be optionally calibrated by the vehicle owner if required.
This feture is only available with the Level 2 and Level 3 VT / VX Instrument Clusters.
To Calibrate the Speedo reading,
If necessary to check/adjust distance calibration, line the vehicle front wheels against a highway kilometre shield post before entering customise mode.
Press both the Up and Down Arrow buttons together when TRIP DIST is showing in the centre window (to zero the TRIP DIST).
Drive to another shield post (between 10 km and 500 km) and stop with the front wheels lined up again.
Note the real distance between the shield posts and the distance on the TRIP DIST display.
If the distance is different, then
1) enter the cluster customise mode by holding down the MODE button while turning the ignition from OFF to ON.
2) Press the Mode Button until the left LCD Screen Displays CAL, and the right LCD Screen displays DIST
3) The TRIP DIST will be shown in the centre window. Press the Up or Down Arrow buttons to adjust the centre display to show the real distance indicated by the shield posts.
NOTE: The left display (the distance calibration %) will automatically adjust with the centre display. The default distance calibration is 100.0%. The maximum it can be adjusted to is 120.0%, the minimum is 80%.
NOTE: Altering the distance calibration does not affect the odometer.
Press the MODE button to go to the next calibration number.
To Calibrate the Fuel Flow reading,
If necessary to check/adjust fuel flow calibration number, calculate the following before entering customise mode.
Press both the Up and Down Arrow buttons together when FUEL USED is showing in the right hand LCD window (to zero the FUEL USED).
Then, for at least five consecutive fuel fills, record the total litres added (but no more than 500 litres), as measured by the service station fuel bowser.
If this is different to the FUEL USED reading, then
1) enter the cluster customise mode by holding down the MODE button while turning the ignition from OFF to ON.
2) Press the Mode Button until the left LCD Screen Displays CAL, and the right LCD Screen displays FUEL
3) The FUEL USED will be shown on the right hand lcd display.
Press the Up or Down Arrow buttons to adjust the right hand LCD display to show the actual total fuel used according to the service station fuel bowser.
NOTE: The left display (the fuel flow calibration %) will automatically adjust with the right display.
The default fuel calibration is 100.0%. The maximum it can be adjusted to is 120.0%, the minimum is 80%
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The instrument cluster engineering mode is a special diagnostic mode that has been available on Holden Commodore clusters since the VN Calais.
Engineering mode allows you to view diagnostic information such as the clusters part number, software version, vehicle voltage, switch positions, raw guage readings, and other interesting tidbits about the vehicle.
To enter the VT and VX Commodore Cluster Engineering Mode
1) Press and hold the MODE and SET buttons down simultaneously.
2) Switch ignition to the ON position.
3) Release the MODE and SET buttons.
4) The LCD Display(s) will display the following.
Left LCD Window: Battery Voltage
Middle LCD Window: Software Date, in YY/MM/DD Format (Eg. 990726 is equal to 26/07/1999)
Right LCD Window: Part Number
5) Press the Mode button to proceed through to the next menu option.
Left LCD Window: LPG Sender Voltage
Middle LCD Window: Voltage for Trip Computer Button Status
Right LCD Window: Petrol Sender Voltage
6) Press the Mode button to proceed through to the next menu option.
Left LCD Window: Park Lamps On or Off
Middle LCD Window: Coolant Temperature
Right LCD Window: Instantaneous Fuel Consumption
7) Press the Mode button to proceed through to the next menu option.
Left LCD Window: Vehicle Speed Km/Hr
Middle LCD Window: Tacho RPM
Right LCD Window: Remaining Fuel in Tank (Litres)
8) Press the Mode button to proceed through to the next menu option.
Left LCD Window: DTC Code 00 - 31 Use the Up and Down arrows to step through the list
Middle LCD Window: DTC History status (H for active or - for inactive)
Right LCD Window: DTC Current status (C for active or - for inactive)
9) Press the Mode button to Test all Lamps and the Cluster Buzzer.
10) Press the Mode button again to return to step 4).
Cluster Diagnostic Code List
DTC CODE DESCRIPTION ICON ACTIVATED ADDITIONAL ENABLE BIT 1 Fuel gauge sender unit -- short circuit Yes None 2 Fuel gauge sender unit -- intermittent Yes None 3 Fuel gauge sender unit -- open circuit (refer to Note 1) Yes None 4 LPG gauge sender unit -- open circuit Yes LPG lamp enable 5 LPG gauge sender unit -- short circuit Yes LPG lamp enable 6 LPG gauge sender unit -- intermittent Yes LPG lamp enable 8 No serial data from ABS/ETC Yes Traction off enable - (refer to Note 2) 9 No serial data from BCM Yes None 10 No serial data from ECC Yes None - (refer to Note 3) 11 No serial data from PCM Yes None 12 No serial data from SDM Yes SRS lamp enable 13 No instrument poll from BCM Yes None 14 No serial communication Yes None 15 No Sub-clock Yes None 16 ABS/ETC fault logged No None 17 BCM fault logged No None 18 ECC fault logged No None 19 PCM fault logged No None 20 SDM fault logged No None 21 Trip switch short circuit Yes None 22 Trip switch button stuck Yes None 24 EEPROM checksum error Yes None 25 ROM checksum error Yes None 26 Internal fault Yes None
NOTE: DTC 3 is recognised by the instrument cluster self-diagnostics as `t 00 H C".
NOTE: DTC 8 is not enabled in vehicles fitted with ABS only.
NOTE: The ECC EEPROM enable bit is programmed active for the high series vehicles and inactive for the low series vehicles during manufacture.
Clearing Cluster Diagnostic Codes
To clear any diagnostic codes logged by the instrument cluster, press and hold UP & DOWN Arrows for 3 seconds.
Note: The codes may be reported again if the cause of the problem has not been rectified.
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Further Information regarding swapping Instrument Clusters will be added shortly.
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The following information pertains to the Instrument cluster wiring connector, as used by all VT and VX Commodore Models
Pin Wire Colour Circuit No Function 1 Blue 15 Right Turn Indicator 2 White 85 Cruise Control Engaged 3 Violet/Red 234 Fog Lamps On 4 Brown/White 19 Park Lamps 5 Grey 8 Illumination (-Ve) Supply 6 Black/Yellow 155 Ground 7 Blue/Yellow 10 High Beam Indicator 8 Light Blue 14 Left Turn Indicator 9 Grey 875 ABS Fault Indicator 10 Not Connected LPG Fuel Indicator 11 Yellow/Red 88 Low Traction Indicator 12 Green/White 1220 Serial Data 13 Blue/Black 946 Trip Computer Switch Input 14 Brown 25 Altenator Fault Indicator 15 Brown/Orange 33 Park Brake Indicator 16 Tan 30 Fuel Sender 17 Violet/White 123 Speedo Input 18 Brown/Red 121 Tacho Input 19 Pink/Blue 44 Ignition Switch Power 20 Orange/Yellow 1340 Battery (+12V) Power
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A service reminder message is built into the instrument cluster.
The reminder message will first appear 1,000 km before the service is actually due, giving time to arrange for the service to be performed.
The message will be shown on the Trip computer for 10 seconds whenever the vehicle's ignition is switched ON or OFF, until the trip computer is reset.
When the service is overdue the message will flash for 10 seconds when the ignition is turned ON or OFF.
- SERV 1500 km will show when the vehicle has travelled 1,000 km since it was built.
- SERV 10000 km will show when the vehicle has travelled 9,000 km since it was built.
- SERV 20000 km will show when the vehicle has travelled 19,000 km since it was built.
- SERV 30000 km will show when the vehicle has travelled 29,000 km since is was built etc.
When a service is performed on the vehicle, this reminder should be reset so that it does not prompt until the next service is nearly due.
Otherwise, the instrument cluster will continuosly reminder the driver that a service is still due, when in fact the service has been completed.
To reset the service reminder message:
1) Turn the ignition OFF.
2) Hold down the Up Down Arrow buttons on the trip computer together.
3) Turn the ignition ON (mode buttons still depressed).
4) Release mode buttons after approximately 3 seconds.
5) Use the mode button to step through trip computer screens until the service due reminder screen appears on the LCD (usually only one press).
6) Press and hold both the Up and Down Arrow mode buttons until an audible beep is heard (approximately 3 seconds).
7) Turn the ignition OFF.
NOTE: The service due indicator message has now been reset, therefore, the next service due reminder message will not be displayed until 1000 km before the next service is due.
NOTE: The Service Due message is calculated only by distance. Remember that if driving infrequently special servicing may be required.
- SERV 1500 km will show when the vehicle has travelled 1,000 km since it was built.