Convert digital to analog odometer? CONCLUSION

[Bonnewagon]

Re: Convert digital to analog odometer?

I can get the PCM to learn the IP Theft-Lock code, you turn the key on and the THEFT light blinks for 10 minutes. After that she starts right up. If you disconnect the IP cluster while car is running, the PCM interprets it as a broken wire and will allow the car to start normally even with the IP missing altogether. I think if I can get a replacement bulb for the LCD I can get the '99 odo working again. No bulb is listed because the friggin' FACTORY MANUAL still has the analog odo featured in '99, I guess they didn't get the memo. EDIT: This is a common problem, and the bulbs are not available. I may have to McGiver something.

 

[Bonnewagon]

DONE! So here's the deal- I was able to swap from digital back and forth to analog, no problem. The VSS feed was interpreted by whichever of the IP cluster computers I used and mileage displayed just fine. BUT, the rest of the data got scrambled because '99 was an oddball year and the '95- '98 IP's didn't jive with it. SO, I replaced the totally unobtainable 3v odometer bulb with a 12v directional signal bulb in the same odo PC holder but I wired it to the IP lights so it only comes on when the running lights are on. That way it's not on all the time and should last longer. I figured the brilliant engineer who specified a low voltage bulb for longevity, but neglected serviceability, needn't know he was outdone by a retired mailman. The '99 IP works just fine now and all is well.

 

[pontiacgp]

congrats Mark, I don't know how you have the patience to figure that out, nice job

 

[Bonnewagon]

Patience? I'm just the original cheap-ola! I ain't paying a dealer $600 to "repair" this thing.

 

[pontiacgp]

that I can understand....

 

[J3]

Very interesting thread - credit to you for sticking with it and figuring out how all that works!

 

[Bonnewagon]

J3 I found out something else. The IP computer is pretty smart. I put a switch in the wire that grounds the DRL relay so I could turn them off. No good, as the IP knows something is wrong and the DRL icon flashes until I turn them back on, and start the car all over again. Also my gas gauge wouldn't work, so the '95 IP is not compatible with the '99 PCM, except for the odometer.

 

[Ribbedroof]

None of this really impacts me, but I wanted to say thanks for coming back and completeing the thread...sux to find topics (on whatever the case) that never come to a resolution.

 

[Bonnewagon]

You're welcome. I agree totally. People, please post your outcomes, good or bad. Otherwise we don't know what worked or didn't. Then we all can learn.