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Need help: Swap analog to digital dash!


Karhu
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I'm interested of digital clusters. Here in Finland they never was sold, and i have seen them only on brochure pictures. My plan is swap analog to digital! I thought that best way could be change the dashboard wiring harness in same time. So, i need the cluster, harness and trip computer stuff, and the fuel level sender from digital dashed car, as i've read about it, Right?

The early orange version looks better, i think that newer one looks like simplified version.

One of my cars is a 1987 Subaru Leone Turbo Coupe with part-time 4WD and the project is to make the Leone RX/II replica (never was sold in here) and add some special accessories that Finland has never been available.

 

Is there always trip computer installed with digidash?

Sorry for possibly bad english, please notice me if this post was unreadable, i'm new here. :)

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If you're going to swap to a digital dash then it is recommended to change the dash loom also.

I'm not sure about the US spec models, but the Japanese version I had from a half cut, I needed to change the whole car's loom, as the wires in the plugs where the dash loom met the car loom were in very different locations.

 

Australia didn't get the digital dash as an option (we never even got the volts/oil pressure gauges :( ), but the 2 cars I saw (mine as an 85 Series 1 orange dash, and a friends 89 series 2 green dash) built from japanese half cuts, both had trip computers.

 

BTW, I once bought a digital instrument cluster from the US because I thought mine wasn't working properly. Ended up returning it, but the MPH & degrees Fahrenheit (for the outside temp display) couldn't be changed to metric.

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This is important to know, how the trip computer buttons are located with old/new desingn. Here the radio mountings are different than US models, so there is no space in right next to radio, for buttons. I need to know, can i use new version buttons (located under to radio) with old trip computer? I think they have little bit different functions?
I've seen pictures of orange dash, where is button to change km/miles. But can they show outside temp in celcius?

 

I found a few pictures using google:

Orange dash with t.c. buttons next to radio:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TS3VAIhQGSQ/UFOqQlMx5eI/AAAAAAAAAlY/LinHwI-AvbM/s1600/1985SubaruGL4wdTurbo75.JPG

Green dash with buttons under radio:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v344/gotboost/PB020459.jpg

And green dash with "old generation" buttons?:
http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/JDM-Interior.jpg
(JDM-car)

 

I know that is not a plug and play swap, but target car is not a daily driver and i am not worried about the potential problems.

Edited by Karhu
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The switch to change only changes the MPH to kph, not the odometer (which is still a dial), nor the twin "trip memters".

My Jap spec cluster didn't have this button. I think it's only for the north american market because the US in the MPH & Canada has kph

 

I'm guessing that there is something built into the circuitry to determine what reading they show.

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Interesting to see the trip computer on the later model where the ash tray should be.

:P

 

That's not the ashtrtay.  Look closely...the ashtray is still there.

 

It's the cubby below the ashtray, were you would keep a phone or whatever.......which I personally would hate having that area filled by the useless trip computer.....it's only useful function is the temp gauge......

 

Which subaru figured out and since then equipped almost all newer ones with Outside Temp gauge in the dash....but no "arrive estimator" or "range" features....LOL

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Can someone post more detailed pictures of the trip computer buttons?
Outdoor temperature indicator is a useful accessory here in Finland. I understand that the Orange version shows outdoor temperature in the instrument cluster, and the Green displayed it on the trip computer display?

I know that other functions aren't so useful, but it's 80's system and i want to get it in my project. :D

Edited by Karhu
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The switch to change only changes the MPH to kph, not the odometer (which is still a dial), nor the twin "trip memters".

My Jap spec cluster didn't have this button. I think it's only for the north american market because the US in the MPH & Canada has kph

 

I'm guessing that there is something built into the circuitry to determine what reading they show.

 

I was thinking the same thing. I believe that it has been easier to produce only one type of dashboard, which can be easily changed to suit the different market areas.

 

In that case, i can buy parts anywhere in the world. But of course getting the metric version is my priority.

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pretty sure some folks have not been able to find the "mph to km" button, maybe it's on some dashes but not all of them?

 

all XT's have trip computers.

 

No all xt's do not have trip computers.

 

Many were "DL" trim with manual windows, and no back seat.

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No all xt's do not have trip computers.

 

Many were "DL" trim with manual windows, and no back seat.

 

ah right, those.

 

I

Is there always trip computer installed with digidash?. :)

 

maybe his question can be answered this way: any XT with a digidash would also have a trip computer?

Edited by grossgary
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I'm interested of digital clusters.

Is there always trip computer installed with digidash?

 

 

Yes Digidash always also had trip computer for EA82 (Leone/L series gen III) models

 

It is possible to swap between the 2 by cuting/spliceing/repining the wires in the car to match either Dash....

 

You would need to find a very accurate wiring diagrahm for your Finland model dash......and then If you get a USDM or JDM digidash you need the wiring pigtails with it and again an accurate diagrahm.

 

I could provide you with a USDM wiring diarahm /pinout for either type of digidash.....

 

Now ALSO adding the trip computer.....you would really be best to get the whole front harness from the GL-10 add to the car.  Trying to splice in the trip computer would be tough......But anything can be done with accurate wiring diagrahms.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thank you guys!

 

It would be best to get all stuff from GL-10 Turbo model, because my car have turbo engine.

 

So, list of parts that I need: (please add if something missing)

 

-Whole dashboard harness (or all parts of car harness which are different)

-Instrument cluster

-Trip computer buttons, unit and display

-Fuel level sender

-Outside temperature sender

-Radio frame if it's different when the computer buttons are installed. (extra question: can i use normal one-DIN unit with this setup, i mean is there enough room in the depth direction?)

 

I have good wiring diagrams already.

 

One new question: Whether there are orange version dash, who says "full time 4wd" in car monitor?

 
I'm going to install the full time D/R gearbox in it.
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I have an orange digidash cluster with the entire dash wiring loom, temp sensor, trip computer, other modules, trip display to replace the dash clock. Plus a few other looms. Don't have a fuel sender though. Yours for the price of shipping because I need to clean the garage.

All from a 85/86 GL-10 turbo, awd, auto IIRC. Same as your first Googled picture. Shipping from zip code 91010.

 

The MPH-km/h switch is in the cluster of this one. L/H drive of course.

 

PM your email address if interested & I'll send some photos.

Edited by czny
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Gloyale,

Do you happen to have the FSM page for testing the 85-86 digidash?

Please.

 

Thanks!

 

Kahru,

 

There are likely more parts sources for digidash stuff in the PNW & Colorado for your project than here in So. Cal.

I haven't even seen an 80s Subaru in 6 months at the serve yourself yards. And most of those get horked by the careless right away.

Edited by czny
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Gloyale,

Do you happen to have the FSM page for testing the 85-86 digidash?

Please.

 

Thanks!

 

Kahru,

 

There are likely more parts sources for digidash stuff in the PNW & Colorado for your project than here in So. Cal.

I haven't even seen an 80s Subaru in 6 months at the serve yourself yards. And most of those get horked by the careless right away.

 

PM me........I'll work out a way to get you pics or scans....It's kinduv a long section.

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PM me........I'll work out a way to get you pics or scans....It's kinduv a long section.

Great! Thanks! Here's a couple of pics of the cluster.

IMG_6553_zps74d1b8dc.jpg

IMG_6550_zps5a508907.jpg

PN 85015GA641 is printed on the bottom.

Edited by czny
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I remember those :P

 

I've always liked the green one, but I've only ever seen one in RHD form, and that was at least 15 years ago...

 

Does anyone have info on how to convert permanently the MPH & degrees F to km/h & degrees C?

Were these available in Canada?

 

And then also, the space where the speedo cable fits, I wonder if that's able to be modified. the RHD version comes on the other side of the cluster.

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Here's some photos of the Wiring pinouts.

 

There is a whole section w/ flowcharts for troubleshooting each individual gauge.....but that section is long and photos would be worthless.

 

Hopefully these are a start.....pretty accurate with pins just no wire colors :(

 

IMG_1028_zps3e4489ca.jpg

 

IMG_1027_zpsfd210978.jpg

 

IMG_1026_zps25de4f2a.jpg

Edited by Gloyale
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Perfect! Thanks!

 

Will do some tests & post the pics of the cluster today.

Just by luck tried +12v to the black/white & tied all the blacks of the center pigtail to -12v & all the display gauges/numerals  lit up but dimly.

Will try the 'all lit' pin 19 in your PM. 

Edited by czny
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Perfect! Thanks!

 

Will do some tests & post the pics of the cluster today.

Just by luck tried +12v to the black/white & tied all the blacks of the center pigtail to -12v & all the display gauges/numerals  lit up but dimly.

Will try the 'all lit' pin 19 in your PM. 

 

You may have put power to the "illum" circuit + which dims the dash at night.  The whole thing lights up brighter in the day.  Still can't seem them when the sun shines though.

 

This is an XT one from 87.5 Turbo.

IMG_1022_zps88272b50.jpg

IMG_1024_zpsd6193178.jpg

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All functions test good with this 85/86 GL-10 digidash.

 

Pin 25(black/white) to +12v & pin 26(black) to ground[RH sector of connector,clockwise, 26,25,19]:

IMG_6629_zpsc1b9e9b1.jpgIMG_6645_zps053f3566.jpg

 

Pins 25 & 19(white) to +12v & pin 26 to ground:

IMG_6639_zps3abf90bb.jpgIMG_6640_zps96176897.jpg

IMG_6641_zps890f01ac.jpgIMG_6642_zpse5ee8b8d.jpg

 

Kahru, if you're reading this, all functions are OK.

Edited by czny
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Amazing! Thank you for checking functions. :)
I see that the turbo indicator missing?
I guess this cluster is from the N/A vehicle without height control? But it is not so important thing.

 

I don't see Celsius temperature indicator on the display, where all segments are displayed, but the most important thing for me, is that km/h button.

 

czny, email sent to you.

Edited by Karhu
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