Converting to a VN Calais dash

[stocky]

Since this is a topic that is constantly coming up over and over again, I've decided to write up what I know about this. If your VN has a level 1 or level 2, you can convert it to a level 3 dash with a little bit of modification to your wiring loom.

This is the calais dash. You can get them for about $80



You will need a few things -
- The dash $80 or so
- The left hand switchblock with the trip computer controls. $50 from the wreckers
- The 4th connector that plugs into the bottom of the dash
- The plug to go into the back of the switchblock. Your original one doesnt have the right amount of wires.

Tools
- Philipshead screwdriver
- Wire stripper/cutters
- Soldering Iron
- heat shrink/electrical tape

Attached are the two wiring diagrams that I used when installing mine.

1. Take out your dashboard.
2. Remove your fuse cover panel. Find the wires that go to the 3 connectors for the dash.
3. Find the wires that correspond to the wiring diagrams, cut them and splice the wire from the 4th connector to it.
4. Solder the wires together, and cover with heatshrink, or just electrical tape.
5. Remove your original switchblock.
6. I found the easiest way to install the switchblock wiring was to take the extra wires out of the new connector, and plug them into your existing connector. Connect these new wires to wherever theyre supposed to go in the diagram.
7. Run a long piece of wire over to the ECU behind the left passenger side kick panel. Splice that wire into the wire shown on the diagram.

A few other things to note -
- You can run the dash without wiring up the 4th conenctor, but you will not have an odometer, and that wouldnt be legal.
- Do not try to use a VR/VS dash in a VN/VP

Thats all I can remember for now, so if you have any questions, please ask them here instead of making a new thread.

Thanks to whoever created those diagrams, Hozy, Lexx and anyone else that helped me when I installed mine.

[lsprewell]

Its nice that people try to supply wiring diagrams, but i would stay away from that method, especially considering I have done the mod, with the aid of my father whom is a qualified auto electrician, and the above diagrams do not match my vn. It is a good idea to make your own diagram using both the wiring schematics form your manual for your model, and to check the new dashes out assignments, otherwise everything else you said pretty much sums it up. GREAT UPGRADE, doing the Climate Control system next. Cant wait.


PS: You got your dash pretty cheap too, I payed $135 for it, very good nick though. Make sure the flexible circuit is OK by examining it carefully upon purchase people, and check all that all the bulbs are working and making good contact.

[HoZy]

Stocky, This might just be the inspiration I need to add the guide for the LCD screen colors.

Cheers
MaT

P.S- I got my dash & loom for $45 from wreckers, no bleeds in LCD's or anything Installed mine over 2years ago now.

The best way is to lay both your s1 or s2 cluster an your s3 calais cluster down, and map out where each plug/wires go, it says it on the Flexi PCB, just map it out an you will know what wires you will have to bridge/add for the 4th plug an switches on the left.

[Doctor Sodways]

Hozy, is your VN a series one? I really want the calais dash, i already have the trip computer buttons and all, but still the level two cluster, id much rather the level three over the VR police spec one i have. This might be just what i need to get it in there though

Nice write up stocky

Cheers

[HoZy]

I got a S1 VN

Cheers
MaT

[kitto]

hey guys I am new to the site and new to driving a holden. I have a vn berlina and I want to upgrade to the calais dash but mine only has a speedo and no tacho. what do I need to do to wire it all up?

[Doctor Sodways]

Berlina with no tacho, thats odd, i thought that all the berlina's had the level two clusters in them, interesting, maye your cluster has been swapped at some stage

[kitto]

well I bought the car off a mate and it has berlina badges both inside and out side, is there anyway to tell if it is a berlina or a commodore

[nsladden]

Check the VIN number

[stocky]

hey guys I am new to the site and new to driving a holden. I have a vn berlina and I want to upgrade to the calais dash but mine only has a speedo and no tacho. what do I need to do to wire it all up?

exactly what i show in the first post. my vn berlina didnt have the tacho dash, so it is possible

what year is your berlina? it might have the loom there already

[kitto]

1991. what should i check for with the VIN number

[stocky]

its most likely a berlina. its not like someone is going to make a berlina mock up. theyre pretty much the same as an exec.

anyways. what features does it have? electric windows, velour seats?

does it have a berlina paintjob, such as the white paint with the black stripe around the car.
better yet. got a picture?

[fitzy2005]

very good stocky, one is needed for the vr/vs section too ive done the mod but i aint good at explaining things :P

[kitto]

The car has nothing like central locking, power windows, good seats. It is as stock as.

[nsladden]

Have a look in your owners manual and it shows you how to 'read' the VIN number, I would type it up for you but its dark and cold so im not going outside to get the manual.

[lsprewell]

My VN series 1 had no tacho either, it doesnt matter, still works fine!!

[markovr]

Its nice that people try to supply wiring diagrams, but i would stay away from that method, especially considering I have done the mod, with the aid of my father whom is a qualified auto electrician, and the above diagrams do not match my vn. It is a good idea to make your own diagram using both the wiring schematics form your manual for your model, and to check the new dashes out assignments, otherwise everything else you said pretty much sums it up. GREAT UPGRADE, doing the Climate Control system next. Cant wait.


PS: You got your dash pretty cheap too, I payed $135 for it, very good nick though. Make sure the flexible circuit is OK by examining it carefully upon purchase people, and check all that all the bulbs are working and making good contact.

Those diagrams are mine and are for a vp that I did about 5 years ago before the install was popular.They are how I wired mine and it works perfectly and has done for 5 years. Information is free ....most people who use them recognise that they arent exactly correct for all vn/ps according to their cars equipment and build date and have to be treated like that ....not just blindly used without any research .

[stocky]

ah well its good to know who created them. thanks for that. the diagrams seemed to be fine when installing into my VN, and if they work in the VP, i dont see what the problem is

[lsprewell]

Nice job markovr, i was wondering who came up with them. I too have my own personal coloured diagrams i have made for my VN series 1 for future reference, although its mostly a reference thing.
And stocky, i have a VN and the diagrams do vary, sorry but they do. And VP's are different , its a manufacturers thing, swap a couple of wires, keep everyone guessing LOL!,

If you dont beleive me about the differences even within same models, go do some research and you will see i am correct, its not an unsolvable problem, its just one to look out for!

[stocky]

why dont people get it. these diagrams were fine for my VN. maybe the later 1991 model VNs had a different wiring loom, but these diagrams worked

[VN-88]

hey stocky, ive got the trip buttons coming, and ill have a stage 3 gauge soon. i also have the forth plug from markovr. and a wiring diagram from him, the forth plug has heaps of wires coming of it. so do i need any other plugs??

[stocky]

it would help if you got the plug that goes into the back of the switchblock. it will make it easier to connect the new wires to your existing plug

[VN-88]

ah ok, will a berlina have the right plug, even if it didnt have a stage 3 dash? or will i need one from a calai?

[lsprewell]

You will need the 4th plug off a calais VN-88, and by the way Stocky, my VN is a 1990 model Series I and the wiring diagram was close, but not the same, sorry to dissapoint your theory.

[stocky]

You will need the 4th plug off a calais VN-88, and by the way Stocky, my VN is a 1990 model Series I and the wiring diagram was close, but not the same, sorry to dissapoint your theory.

read it again genius. my "theory" was that maybe the SERIES TWO had a different loom. jesus christ

an VN-88, berlinas wont have the right wiring, so just go look in a calais for one