Level 3 cluster function issues

[Shaundy]

Hi all,

I have an issue with the level 3 cluster I installed yesterday. All functions appear to work correctly except for:

-The tacho. It will display the revs however when accelerating in econ mode it with suddenly drop a couple of hundered rpm just before it changes gear, at which point it picks up again to where is should be. When accelerating hard in power mode, the needle will drop back to 0 a couple seconds before the gear change at which point it again springs up to where it should be. Whilst revving the car in park I found the the needle will not make it past 2500rpm before it drops. Has anyone had this issue? I suspect there is a dodgy connection somewhere however I am not sure where to look.

-The distance to empty display. It displayed a number when I had first plugged in the new harness just to test it, however it now simply shows 0 all the time.

-The LCD lights. When I turn my headlights on, the LCD lights go out.

-Speed alert light and buzzer also do not activate when the set speed is exceeded.

Could someone tell me what is the combo of trip buttons that need to be pressed to activate the diagnostic display on the dash?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[seraphic06]

Here you go:

Press MODE and RESET while turning the ignition on (The computer will do a self diagnostic check and display the word 'FAIL' if it finds an internal fault). Press mode to swap between the different displays.

Display 1: Speed in km/h, fuel in L/h, Button Test.

Display 2: Battery Voltage, Fuel tank sender Volts (full ~4.4V, half ~6.6V, empty ~8.5V), Button Test.

Display 3: Energise all segments of the display.

The button test shows a '0' each time a button is pressed. Each different button will illuminate a different spot.

[88GreenVN]

What loom did you use?

[Shaundy]

I'm pretty sure the main loom was out of an executive (as I didn't want to cut mine up in case i stuffed it). The higher loom was out of a Berlina

[Shaundy]

Update: The LCDs do light up when the headlights are on however they are probly about half as bright as when the headlights are on. The same situation applies with the parkers. I just didn't notice as I had tested them during the day. My fuel gauge seems to have died and the LCD that works (as I think the others have blown bulbs) seems to only work when it wants to.

[Shaundy]

Anyone have any ideas? I filled the tank today and reset the cluster however I still don't have anything reading on the distance to empty display.

[Sara Pax]

Get another dash

[vsv8berlinawag]

Not to hijack your post, but I also have an issue with my instant fuel readout i.e. when its at idle it jumps all around the place usually settling down at 99 l/100k and occasionally flickering to 0. Is it easy to fix/replace parts wise ?

[88GreenVN]

Run the clusters in diag mode - turn on the ignition with the mode & set buttons pressed. Scroll though the 3 modes.

[88GreenVN]

Anyone have any ideas? I filled the tank today and reset the cluster however I still don't have anything reading on the distance to empty display.

If the DTE is not working the sender is not getting to the gauge or trip computer.

[vg ute v6]

yeah i just wired my hole ute up and all digital dash works apart from the
intant fuel and
distance to empty
and also avg fuel used and ideas

[seraphic06]

yeah i just wired my hole ute up and all digital dash works apart from the
intant fuel and
distance to empty
and also avg fuel used and ideas

Did you run a cable from the main dash loom to the ECU?

[88GreenVN]

yeah i just wired my hole ute up and all digital dash works apart from the
intant fuel and
distance to empty
and also avg fuel used and ideas

yellow black wire from the 4th plug to connector A2 on the engine loom plug by the ECU.

It will have yellow black wire - you splice into that. This gives the trip computer the info it needs to give instant fuel read outs.

[vg ute v6]

thanks for your help 88greenvn

however i have tried all the yellow and black wires under the left kick panel and still nothing i have tried for three nights with no luck

the plug that comes out of the loom from the ecu, with the plug doesnt go into any thing and the plug that appears to go to accross to the dash doesnt either? and they are different shaped plugs?

any othe thoughts
i can post photos if need to?

[88GreenVN]

Here is a drawing of the shape of hte plug

[88GreenVN]

Hmm the VQ Statesman does have a different plug for the engine harness.

Here is 2 views of it.

[Shaundy]

If the DTE is not working the sender is not getting to the gauge or trip computer.

When you say gauge, do you mean the fuel gauge as this sometimes does not work. Which coloured wire should I be focussing on to check whether there is a fault between the cluster and the trip computer? The instant duel usage and average fuel works but yeah not the DTE.

[Shaundy]

Does anyone know what the grey wire which also runs into one side of the plug near the ECU is meant to do? Just asking as I flogged the bayonet fitting off of it to use for the yellow/black wire. As far as I can see ti doesn't plug into anything.

[88GreenVN]

When you say gauge, do you mean the fuel gauge as this sometimes does not work. Which coloured wire should I be focussing on to check whether there is a fault between the cluster and the trip computer? The instant duel usage and average fuel works but yeah not the DTE.

The TAN wire at No 11 of the 4th plug is the fuel wire. Goes to C2#6.

If the fuel gauge has it's days when it will or wont work - re solder the regulator behind the tacho/speedo in the cluster. Very common for it to fail.

DTE - check to see that you have connectivity between the sender and the dash - unplug it from under the car and look for corrosion on the terminals. If thats all good then its to do with the wires of the 4th plug - and the tan one is for fuel.

[Shaundy]

Thanks for that 88GreenVN. I'll have a look when I have the time.

[VNwithFE2]

i bought a cluster off ebay a while ago

a few months ago i threw it in with the level 1 set up and it fully worked

but after i did the conversion and added a c4 patch looom its fckn up LED lights have all ended up dropping out so threw stockies in so far after 4 days so good, fuel gauge isnt working neitha is temp

not sure if the self diag worked tho


i id put custom faces on n changed the globes in the trip computer n removed green panels

n i throw the level one in and same problem i think its a short

no warning lights work expect blinkers and indicators

and Lights on warning light is always on when lights r on regadless of car goin

iv tested the sender at the plug

its puting out 1.4v = 1/4 tank approx (i used a random earth cbf finding proper at the time)

any ideas

below is wat it looks like after modded

Please note: poor qaulity and Lights are alot brighter and spread out

[IBLOWN]

Ive said it before and i'll say it again. Dont use that bloody patch loom! Follow Markovr's wiring diagram and splice into your existing loom. I did mine years ago and never had a problem.

[88GreenVN]

Ive said it before and i'll say it again. Dont use that bloody patch loom! Follow Markovr's wiring diagram and splice into your existing loom. I did mine years ago and never had a problem.

Thats for the VR to VS. The VN is a patch loom made up from a 4th plug and spliced into the dash wires.

[88GreenVN]

i bought a cluster off ebay a while ago

a few months ago i threw it in with the level 1 set up and it fully worked

but after i did the conversion and added a c4 patch looom its fckn up LED lights have all ended up dropping out so threw stockies in so far after 4 days so good, fuel gauge isnt working neitha is temp

not sure if the self diag worked tho


i id put custom faces on n changed the globes in the trip computer n removed green panels

n i throw the level one in and same problem i think its a short

no warning lights work expect blinkers and indicators

and Lights on warning light is always on when lights r on regadless of car goin

iv tested the sender at the plug

its puting out 1.4v = 1/4 tank approx (i used a random earth cbf finding proper at the time)

any ideas

below is wat it looks like after modded

Please note: poor qaulity and Lights are alot brighter and spread out

Where did you get the patch loom from? It sounds like you may have some wires mixed up.
I've done almost 100 patch looms and it just about always comes down to a miss placed wire. (or a dead cluster)

[IBLOWN]

Huh? Its a VS isnt it? The 4th plug is spliced into the existing wiring loom.