VE Instrument Cluster EEPROM Programming

[msenj]

And here is a dump of my 2008 AAPL Omega cluster.

Part number 92222121
162912km
LY7 3.6L V6 (non SIDI)
4L60E 4 Speed Auto

Enjoy...

[msenj]

OK. My work in progress for getting the Berlina cluster has gotten me this far:

+ Correct ODO
+ Works with my VIN
+ Triple Gauges Working
+ Sport shift button works

-No gear position display (though it is showing in engineering mode)
-ABS Fault on self test
-Traction control button doesn't work
-Mandatory 120km/h overspeed
-75,000km service reminder, which is now 90,000km overdue!

I'm going to keep plugging away. This cluster has a very old software version - 14.16.99. The Omega cluster is 20.22.115. I take it it's impossible to Tech2 upgrade this to the latest version once it's been hacked to work in my car?

[msenj]

And with the change of three more bytes, it's working perfectly - At least tested as well as it can be given it's attached to a car that can't be started or driven!

Thank you very much MartinM!

[msenj]

Just to confirm the Omega to Berlina (or L1 to L3) swap process, it went as follows.

1. Get a dump from each cluster.
2. In the new cluster's dump, enter the last 8 digits of the VIN at 0x005D - 0x0064 and 0x0295 - 0x029C.
3. Copy the following bytes from the original cluster's dump to the new cluster's dump:

All 30 odometer memory locations as listed here.
0x0142 - 0x0143
0x0346 - 0x0347
0x0330 - 0x0331
0x0337 - 0x0339
0x033C - 0x033F
0x0327 *
0x034C *
0x034D *

(* These three are the three critical ones that clear the ABS fault and enable the gear selector display and traction control. - Thank you to MartinM for pointing them out to me.)

4. Install the new cluster and marvel at your added displays and functions.

If you copy all 30 odometer addresses, you will end up with the exact reading copied across.

I've done this process twice now on my pair of clusters (second time to confirm) and it's worked perfectly both times.

[jezzab]

Shame I havent seen anyone playing with the newer clusters

Ive been slowly trying to map the locations out. The ODO algorithm still eludes me but im still working on it

[ZerOne]

I'm going to keep plugging away. This cluster has a very old software version - 14.16.99. The Omega cluster is 20.22.115. I take it it's impossible to Tech2 upgrade this to the latest version once it's been hacked to work in my car?

Yeah, unfortunately that is the case...
But to be honest, from what I have heard, the software updates are mostly for some of the newer V8 and HSV functions such as
HSV Magnetic Ride Control (Display On, Off),
V8 AFM models (AFM active, disabled),
HSV Launch Control (E2 Manual Models - I think) ???
HSV Side Lance Change alert system (E2 Manual Models - I Think) ???

You Berlina cluster is going to support all the good stuff, like Factory Nav directions, all the usual animated warnings, and all the extra hidden stuff like Engineering mode, Driver Rest warnings, Over speed / Under speed warnings, etc !!!

I have to get off my lazy @$$ and update the cluster page with the extra EEPROM locations.
MartinM emailed me about these over 2 months ago, and I still haven't gotten around to putting this in to the doco....

Jezzab, yeah, I know what you mean... It would be good to map out the later VDO clusters EEPROM locations...
I am keeping my eyes open for a cheapy MY9.5 onward cluster, so as I can have a play.
For some reason though I am only seeing the E3 HSV Clusters up on eBay at the moment...
Which is a bit out of my price range to play around with.....

At least it looks like we have the Older Series Clusters kinda mapped out, even if we do not know what exactly the EEPROM locations we are copying actually do, we can get a cluster working on another model, which is a good thing

[msenj]

Now that my car is (sorta) drivable again, I can confirm that the cluster conversion is a complete success:



(P.S - You didn't see that image of me naughtily taking a picture of my instrument cluster while doing 100km/h on the freeway, OK? )

[doubledip]

Some cluster files i have of Pre MY9.5 havent really mapped any out

have been concentrating on the Post MY9.5 and mapping that out fully

[msenj]

Did the colour change on my Berlina cluster, from green with white needles to white with red needles, to match the new headunit:



I'm contemplating changing the displays to red as well, but I'm not entirely sure yet... Here's a quick 'shop to see what it looks like:



I changed the display brightness byte to the one for the white display, and on one start, the cluster threw ESP and ABS faults, so I may have to keep an eye on it and change it back if it keeps happening.

FWIW Matti, you can add to the tech doc that the LEDs are PLCC2 size, and the brightness of the standard green LEDs is about 1000mCD.

I'm also in the process of painting my spare cluster's rings silver to make this cluster more Calais-like, but even with plastic primer, the paint crazed, so it's going to need some sanding and another coat at least:



I do want to get it right as masking that panel up took bloody ages!

[ZerOne]

Looking very good !!!!
The Berlina cluster looks sooo much nicer with a splash of colour.

I think stick with the white LCD panels....
Im not a fan of the Red LCD panels, makes them a little bit difficult to read.

The Calais white needles, white back lighting, and white LCDs looked good too, but
it did make the interior look a little bit plain...

I tried painting the cluster plastics on my old Falcon silver before.
Very hard to get it right, as it showed every imperfection on the plastic,
so I had to use spray putty and sand back a number of times to get it right.


This was done around 10 years ago. I changed the bulbs to Blue LEDs, and it kinda suited the car back then.