Working on a digital gauge cluster project...

**BackInBlack** · 10-09-2008

Anyone work at a Ford dealership who can get me the schematics for a 1996 Crown Vic digital dash cluster/ECM?

I have a full VFD panel here, and I may be able to get it to work in the GP. The whole device is smaller than the stock GP analog setup, so I should be able to keep the GP outer casing, and install the Ford guts. The Ford cluster is hidden behind smoked plastic, so it shouldn't be a problem painting the inside of the GP's plastic lens with NiteShade...

Pics for the masses:

Obviously, some features will not illuminate with the GP PCM, but I should be able to get most of them working I would think...

**SyntheticShield** · 10-09-2008

Oh please please get this to work. I had a digital dash in my previous GP (well not ALL the gauges were digital) but I loved it and would love to have one now.

**DnaProdigy** · 10-09-2008

Reminds me of Kitt the Knight Rider car.

**Street Wolf** · 10-09-2008

Last car I owned that had a digital dash readout was the Z. Kinda old school, but would be neat if you get it to work.

**boosting98** · 10-09-2008

its cool that your trying 2 make that work. but i can't stand the way that ford panel looks.

**BackInBlack** · 10-09-2008

The Ford panel will be hidden behind the stock plastic cover of the original GP cluster. I'll tint the backside of the cover with NiteShade.

Still need schematics...

**BADAZGTP** · 10-09-2008

That would be so freaking cool.

**BackInBlack** · 10-11-2008

It's alive... It's ALIVE!!!

Well, at least I know the displays work. Need to work out the VSS next...

**SyntheticShield** · 10-11-2008

You truly amaze me bud. The stuff Ive seen you do over the years is nothing short of amazing and you do it with all the other stuff you have going on.

**BackInBlack** · 10-12-2008

Well, I've gotten all the features to work. Fuel gauge and temp gauge are going to need an adapter circuit to match up what the cluster is expecting from the sending units to what the car's senders are going to output. Hopefully the Ford sends 4000 counts/mile, or I'm going to need a converter for that as well...

**SyntheticShield** · 10-12-2008

You've moved pretty quick on that project. Good work.

**Street Wolf** · 10-12-2008

Wow, just getting that to light up is a accomplishment in itself. Awesome.

**Sabrewings** · 10-12-2008

It'd look out of place in a Pontiac interior, but it'd look great in my car. I can PM you my shipping address.

**BackInBlack** · 10-12-2008

FAIL.

The GP uses a 4000 pulse per mile to ground output. The Ford uses some sort of AC signal that is either amplitude or frequency proportional to vehicle speed. Figures. Though I did expect that this would not be simple.

I got the car up to what felt like around 35-40MPH...

No problem getting the VFD board to fit in the dashboard cavity though...

This project will probably get put on hold forever, like the SV/RS...