TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:41 pm

I found this by accident

Would love to find instructions on this mod

Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:54 pm

Looks like the column stalks are different too. Looks good

Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:57 pm

Have a look on my blog for Frank G's description of how he did his version

http://shufti.wordpress.com/2011/06/14/vanagon-frank-g-s-instrument-cluster-mod/

alistair

Mon Jun 25, 2012 8:30 pm

I like it!

Mon Jun 25, 2012 8:36 pm

ragnarhairybreeks wrote: Have a look on my blog for Frank G's description of how he did his version

http://shufti.wordpress.com/2011/06/14/vanagon-frank-g-s-instrument-cluster-mod/

alistair
That's really cool, I wonder if it can be done with a subaru engine instead

Mon Jun 25, 2012 8:45 pm

Racerrojo wrote: ragnarhairybreeks wrote: Have a look on my blog for Frank G's description of how he did his version

http://shufti.wordpress.com/2011/06/14/vanagon-frank-g-s-instrument-cluster-mod/

alistair
That's really cool, I wonder if it can be done with a subaru engine instead

That was my thoughts too!

Wed May 15, 2013 8:22 am

Just came across this whilst Googling for 'Subaru cluster in Vanagon'.. anyhoo, I shot that video in the first post !

Thought people might be interested to hear of my progress since last year. I run two T3 Syncro's one with an AFN TDI, the other with a 2000my EJ25. My intention is to get the Passat instrument cluster working in both vans. It's been the TDI van though where I've done my development and prototyping.

I'm currently working on a kit which folk can use to fit the Passat cluster, though to use it does depend on some other work, mainly moving the lighting switches. An electric speed sender is needed, and most folk will need a pulse converter box (eg. Dakota SGI5) to get the speedo reading right.

For those wanting to keep the stock lighting switches, it may be possible to do a hybrid setup, by chopping out the central part of a T3 cluster, and using the central part of my metal bracket to mount the Passat cluster.

The kit will mainly be of benefit to those who've fitted a later VAG engine, either petrol or diesel, as it will work well with a later ECU, and has IMMO2 capability built-in. Many of these clusters have MFA capability as well, and to use this the correct stalks are needed. I used early T4 stalks, which involved swapping the ignition lock housing to a CE2 one. I also used a CE2 main lighting switch, thanks to an old post on the samba IIRC.

The kit is still in development, right now I'm waiting for the final version of the main housing and a polycarbonate window to come back from my water-jet cutting place.

Here's a couple of pics, should be self-explanatory but happy to answer any questions, replies may not be instant though as I don't use the samba that much.

--
'90 252 EJ25
'90 246 AFN

AFN TDI Build Thread

Wed May 15, 2013 8:44 am

Love it! Want it! It'll cost me! LOL

Wonder if the Passat can fix that stupid heater control too!? Hate that even more!

tam

Wed May 15, 2013 8:56 am

Hi Tam,

Thanks ! Funny you should mention the heater controls, I'm not a fan either.. The later South African vans have rotary controls more like a modern vehicle, possibly they could be transplanted. I don't know though, if the heater unit itself is different, and of course getting SA part in Europe or the US for that matter probably ain't going to be easy.

--
'90 252 EJ25
'90 246 AFN

AFN TDI Build Thread

Wed May 15, 2013 4:33 pm

we need to dig further for this passat cluster mod. i wonder if it would work with a stock wbx.

Tue Jul 15, 2014 4:12 am

I am having trouble getting the fuel gauge to work right with my Passat dash cluster.

It want's to read backwards- the lower the fuel level, the higher the gauge reads. I know I could probably pull the sending unit out of the tank and reverse the way the sweeper runs across the resistor. This is in a Syncro so I'd prefer to leave the sending unit be.

Does anyone know of an electronic device that I could use that will allow me to take the variable input from my sending unit and send out a different output to the gauge?

Any other thoughts on how to fix it?

Andrew-

Tue Jul 15, 2014 4:37 am

andymcc1 wrote: Hi Tam,

Thanks ! Funny you should mention the heater controls, I'm not a fan either.. The later South African vans have rotary controls more like a modern vehicle, possibly they could be transplanted. I don't know though, if the heater unit itself is different, and of course getting SA part in Europe or the US for that matter probably ain't going to be easy.

--
'90 252 EJ25
'90 246 AFN

AFN TDI Build Thread

Have thought about doing that except the SA vans are RHD and controls are in a different spot relative to where our LHD vans have out cables. I've played with Golf/Jetta Mk3 & Passat B3/B4 controls. Looks possible. The main impediment are the cable ends which need to be round loop rather than the dogleg ends on the Vanagon. Tried unsuccessfully to reshape the ends. They are made of high tension steel like that used on springs. I didn't have the right tools. Maybe heat can work.

Thu Jul 17, 2014 2:17 am

xoo00oox wrote: I am having trouble getting the fuel gauge to work right with my Passat dash cluster.
..
Any other thoughts on how to fix it?

Hi Andrew, the way I do it is by modifying the dash panel EPROM, this can be done via K-line without hardware changes. There are several lookup tables that control the needle sweep.

Thu Jul 17, 2014 4:47 am

andymcc1 wrote: xoo00oox wrote: I am having trouble getting the fuel gauge to work right with my Passat dash cluster.
..
Any other thoughts on how to fix it?

Hi Andrew, the way I do it is by modifying the dash panel EPROM, this can be done via K-line without hardware changes. There are several lookup tables that control the needle sweep.

Interesting. Thanks for chiming in here Andymcc1.

If you look close at my pictures, you will notice that I switched clusters from a b5.5 to a earlier B5 one. I did this because I realized that the later ones used CAN to give a RPM signal input and I couldn't get the tach to work. Also, the B5 cluster has MFI and I would like to use that as well.

I know the EPROM can be modified on the B5.5 one, but can it on the B5 cluster?

Andrew-

Fri Jul 18, 2014 3:34 pm

xoo00oox wrote:
I know the EPROM can be modified on the B5.5 one, but can it on the B5 cluster?
Andrew-
I interpret B5 as 3B is that right ? They started off in 97 and dash panels #'s 3Bn 919 nnn. Sure they're very similar, the later version have a larger EEPROM but the tables work the same, just at different memory addresses.
For me the biggest problem with the 920 parts is the red pixel displays which often have gone bad.

PS. Re. CANBUS I don't know if the same with petrols, but with the TDI there are sometimes versions of the ECU that are pin-compatible but with CANBUS added, so if swapping to a CAN cluster you can just add the wires to the ECU plug and harness and away you go. eg. on the 3B 82kW TDI the 'P' suffix is typical but was replaced in May 99 with 'GA' suffix with the CANBUS wires added.

Fri Jul 18, 2014 3:44 pm

I know I've asked a similar question elsewhere, but has anyone running an mTDI installed one of these clusters, thereby bypassing ECU inputs? I gather the tach signal will take some futzing about, but are there any other concerns with getting all the functions to operate? I have a Mk4 cluster, fuel level potentiometer, VSS, as well as the engine sensors. I also have a Dakota Digital converter for the speedo

Fri Jul 18, 2014 3:52 pm

Zeitgeist 13 wrote: I know I've asked a similar question elsewhere, but has anyone running an mTDI installed one of these clusters, thereby bypassing ECU inputs? I gather the tach signal will take some futzing about, but are there any other concerns with getting all the functions to operate? I have a Mk4 cluster, fuel level potentiometer, VSS, as well as the engine sensors. I also have a Dakota Digital converter for the speedo

But surely those with an mTDI would prefer the nice simple mechanical speedo ? :D

Fri Jul 18, 2014 4:00 pm

No, I like electronic speedos, which allow you to dial in the proper ratio for whatever tire diameter you're running. I do this with MBs, as well, even though I run converted mIDI engines in those.

Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:29 pm

Yes, that description sounds correct.

I am able to pull the bin file, can you help with what needs to be changed to what?

Did you ever come up with a kit to use these clusters?

Sat Jul 19, 2014 1:43 am

xoo00oox wrote: Yes, that description sounds correct.
I am able to pull the bin file, can you help with what needs to be changed to what? Did you ever come up with a kit to use these clusters?

Ah, well.. the kit is still 'in progress'.. Regarding the EPROM changes, once I'd got some basic info from TDIclub and elsewhere I invested a lot of time in developing the changes needed for use with the T3/Vanagon. This represents a chunk of the IP in my dash adapter kit, so no I'm not going to give that away, sorry. There's nothing to stop others doing what I did though.