overhead console upgrade?

[cubanlorenzo]

i have a 95 blazer. my over head console has temperature and compass. i was wondering if there was a way to hook up gas milage and/or tripometer to that? i know some bravadas can do that. anyone???

[BlazerLT]

It can be done but from what I have heard , it is really hard to get it done right and have it working properly.

In essence, is all that work worth the unaccurate gas mileage reading? You already have a trip meter in your gauge assembly.

[chcknugget]

I've been installing an overhead console with the "mode" functions for about six months with no luck, but I have a new trick I want to try today. If it works I might be able to help you with that, but give me a day... It would only involve 2 extra wires, and is fairly easy in my opinion (that is, if you already have a working overhead console). I could even sell you the extra "mode" computer and display button I have laying around too if you wanted it.

[pjlipeika]

I just installed my overhead console with the "mode" computer. I already had one with the regular compass and temp. My trip computer works great and was so easy to do.

[chcknugget]

Congratulations!
Pjlipieka, what year is your blazer?

Hahaha, the "mode" computer that I installed is not working in my 96, so I went out and bought another console with just the on/off switch. It's coming in the mail now. I know I'm downgrading, but at the moment I have 3 "mode" computers laying around if anyone wants to upgrade...

[Rick Norwood]

Originally Posted by chcknugget

Congratulations!
Pjlipieka, what year is your blazer?

Hahaha, the "mode" computer that I installed is not working in my 96, so I went out and bought another console with just the on/off switch. It's coming in the mail now. I know I'm downgrading, but at the moment I have 3 "mode" computers laying around if anyone wants to upgrade...

Since we're on the subject, what do you do with the over head console when the Temp is 5°-7° F off. Do you have to replace the "Mode" computer or can it be calibrated. I have a 2000 Jimmy SLE.

It is so annoying to hear that the Temp in Phoenix is 118° F and your console is reading 125° F.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by pjlipeika

I just installed my overhead console with the "mode" computer. I already had one with the regular compass and temp. My trip computer works great and was so easy to do.

Please tell us how you did it?

[chcknugget]

All you need is 2 more wires, a "mode" computer, and a way to connect those wires to the computer.

One wire is a constant (always on) 12v. You can tap your domelights for that.

You also need a connection to your serial data. It can be found coming from your ecm (maybe pin 11 of black connecor), or you can tap pin 2 (purple) of your driver information connector under the steering wheel.

BlazerLT, I'm not sure if you can get it to work on a 95, I haven't been able to get it work on my 96 yet.

[pjlipeika]

I have a 97 blazer. All I had to do was take out the digital display that was in it. I put the new one in. Now this is the tricky part to explain because I didn't have a 9 pin harness, I used the one that was from the old display (only six pins). I didn't even have to cut any wires. Hold the PLUG in your hand (not what you plug the plug into), and point it at your face. You have to snap the "clip" off of the plug. You also have to cut the lip off of the upper LEFT CORNER. (AS IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT IT STRAIGHT ON!) Now pretend that you are plugging it into the back of the display. Line it up with the left side (where the lip that you didn't cut will slide into the new display). You should have three pins on the right hand side left. The first pin is left blank, don't touch it. The middle pin is used for consant power. You can take this off from the overhead lights. Now, since I didn't have the correct pin harness, I connected the wire another way.
***Take an 18 gauge wire. Cut the end so it is a clean cut. Then take a large tack or toothpick, and make an opening between the threads of the wire. Make it big enough so you can slide it on the pin, but don't have it too loose where it slips off. ***
Now take the last pin, this is the important part, connect this wire by running it to where you plug in the computer. When looking at the computer plug, connect this wire with the second pin on the top. Look at the diagram below.

*O******
********
The "O" is the pin that you connect it too. After doing this, it should work. It sounds confusing, but follow it step by step. Don't worry about the colors of the wires or anything. You don't have to splice any wires or cut anything that is already installed. All you have to do is cut the plug, and use the same plug and wires. Just line it up on the left side, and plug it in, and add the last two wires on the end. It was really easy. I hope this helped, if anything was confusing, just leave a reply of what was confusing and I will try to clarify it. Good luck!!!

[chcknugget]

Originally Posted by pjlipeika

I have a 97 blazer. All I had to do was take out the digital display that was in it. I put the new one in. Now this is the tricky part to explain because I didn't have a 9 pin harness, I used the one that was from the old display (only six pins). I didn't even have to cut any wires. Hold the PLUG in your hand (not what you plug the plug into), and point it at your face. You have to snap the "clip" off of the plug. You also have to cut the lip off of the upper LEFT CORNER. (AS IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT IT STRAIGHT ON!) Now pretend that you are plugging it into the back of the display. Line it up with the left side (where the lip that you didn't cut will slide into the new display). You should have three pins on the right hand side left. The first pin is left blank, don't touch it. The middle pin is used for consant power. You can take this off from the overhead lights. Now, since I didn't have the correct pin harness, I connected the wire another way.
***Take an 18 gauge wire. Cut the end so it is a clean cut. Then take a large tack or toothpick, and make an opening between the threads of the wire. Make it big enough so you can slide it on the pin, but don't have it too loose where it slips off. ***
Now take the last pin, this is the important part, connect this wire by running it to where you plug in the computer. When looking at the computer plug, connect this wire with the second pin on the top. Look at the diagram below.

*O******
********
The "O" is the pin that you connect it too. After doing this, it should work. It sounds confusing, but follow it step by step. Don't worry about the colors of the wires or anything. You don't have to splice any wires or cut anything that is already installed. All you have to do is cut the plug, and use the same plug and wires. Just line it up on the left side, and plug it in, and add the last two wires on the end. It was really easy. I hope this helped, if anything was confusing, just leave a reply of what was confusing and I will try to clarify it. Good luck!!!

Where did you get your serial data from?

[pjlipeika]

I am sorry, what do you mean by serial data?

[chcknugget]

nm, I see what you mean, you got it from pin 2 under the steering wheel just like I said, that's what's in your *0**** diagram. thanks

[chcknugget]

I just installed my "on/off" computer and it works perfectly. VSS signal is not the reason why my "mode" computer didn't work. These cars have been using the same vss signal for over 20 years.

Between 96-98 there must be different versions of the serial data signal. Keep this in mind if you try to do this!

I used a piece of wood to mount the front of my console and it got all chewed up from messing with it. Now I have to get something new to stick up there.

[TonyMazz]

So I'd like to scrounge up a trip computer for my 99 to replace the temp/compass only.

Seems the there is a 6 pin F-micro pack 100 series connector in my console.

-------------------------------
| (10) (9) (8) (7) (6) (5) |
------------------------------

Pin Wire Color Circuit Function
----------------------------------------------
5 DK GRN 1301 fuse output retained acc pwr
6 Blk/WHT 451 ECM Ground
7 DK GRN/WHT 817 Vehicle Speed
8 LT GRN/BLK 735 Outside Abient Temp Sensor
9 GRY 1220 Variable voltage IP Dimmer
10 PPL/WHT 1382 LED Dimming Signal from BCM


and a trip computer connector has the following....

---------------------------------------
(15) (14) (13) (12) (11) (10) (9) (8) (7)
---------------------------------------

PIN WIRE Color Circuit Function
----------------------------------------------
7 DK GRN 1301 Fuse ingnition feed
8 BLK/WHT 451 Ground
9 DK GRN/WHT 817 VSS
10 LT GRN/BLK 735 Ambient temp
11 GRY 1220 Inter Lmp Dim sig
12 PPL/WHT 1382 BCM Output park lights on
13 ------- ------- Not used
14 ORN 43 Fused Battery Feed
15 YEL 1127/1132 Class2 Communication Bus


So with my 99 where would I get the #15 feed from again ?

Also is #14 the same as #7 ?

Finally where can I get a OEM computer fairly cheap ? Junk yard maybe ?

Don't want to go to the dealer and pay $200 bucks or something....ebay maybe ??

Thoughts??

Thanks

T

[BlazerLT]

Don't you have a trip computer on your dash?