New dash idea

[Brett Proctor]

Thought I'd share this with you.

In my journeys through the wrecking yards I came across a unique looking instrument cluster that looks like it was made for the sterling.

Still trying to find a wiring diagram for it to see how everything is connected to it.

Of course if this idea works it may mean a new style dash might be in the works*hmmm*


Dimensions are 10" wide X 5" high

Climate control panel may work also

 

[letterman7]

I like that! Not familiar with the newer small Chevy dashboards.. Volt?

 

[Brett Proctor]

I like that! Not familiar with the newer small Chevy dashboards.. Volt?

Sonic.

I didn't get it but after talking to another member he thinks it has real potential so I'm going back Saturday(got the grand kids for the rest of the week)and see if its still there.

I've been looking for a wiring diagram for it but have come up empty. Unless I want to buy a FSM and that runs around $200

Census on it is that it isn't that complex and it doesn't require an ECU for it to function. May need a speed sensor for the speedometer though

Just need to find a wiring diagram for it

 

[letterman7]

My mechanic has AllData. Next time I'm there I'll see if he can pull anything up. I'll need to know the year, though. eBay has a bunch of those for sale, and cheap, too!

Supposedly, most public libraries have AllData for free.. but I've never really looked to see that they did!

 

[vpogv]

Very similar to a sportsbike cluster. Might even find those for cheaper.

 

[Brett Proctor]

My mechanic has AllData. Next time I'm there I'll see if he can pull anything up. I'll need to know the year, though. eBay has a bunch of those for sale, and cheap, too!

Supposedly, most public libraries have AllData for free.. but I've never really looked to see that they did!

That would be great Rick if you can find a wiring diagram to it. I have had no luck so far. also if they have a diagram of the location of the sensors that will help if I need to pull any

I've had 2 interested members on this so far. Not sure if I want to make another dash but it may happen

Very similar to a sportsbike cluster. Might even find those for cheaper.

Similar maybe but not the same thing. I'll check out the cost that the yards here want for one

 

[letterman7]

Got a call in to my mechanic. I'll see what he comes up with.

Cheaper? eBay has 2012 units for $30... 2013's are $40...


If the wiring isn't a nightmare, this might be the thing to get me back working on my car.... maybe next year *laugh*

 

[Brett Proctor]

Rick if you can't get the info from your mechanic I found the GM technical service site where you can have access to the manuals for "X" amount of dollars for "X" amount of days.

They should have what we need there and more for wiring in that instrument cluster.

 

[letterman7]

Here you go, Brett. I personally haven't looked these over closely to see what they contain, they should be for the 2012-2013 style gauges. I would think later cars would be similar. I see lots of "engine control module" specs listed in there...

View attachment SONIC WIRING 1.pdf

View attachment SONIC WIRING 2.pdf

View attachment SONIC WIRING 3.pdf

 

[Brett Proctor]

Thanks Rick.

Spent some time looking it over and it looks like most of the functions of the instrument cluster go through the ECM first and are operated through a low speed GMLAN Serial Data network.

Which basically means you would need the ECM to make most of the instrument cluster to work. Some functions are wired directly into the cluster but the majority go through the ECM

Not a big issue but thats how I'm reading the schematics. The cluster will work in the car, you just need the ECM.

I could be wrong though. If anyone knows more about the system please chime in.

Here's another instrument cluster I found that looked like it would fit but it uses the same setup as the Sonic.
I'm going to the yards tomorrow and if they are still there I'll take a closer look at them and the ECM's.
Might be able to have a aftermarket company make a module for these gauges to work in our cars.

 

[letterman7]

Yeah.. kinda figured everything in there would be computer controlled. Waayyy outa my league to figure out how to make that stuff operate independently of the donor car. If someone was brave enough to purchase and tear apart an expensive Dakota Digital analog dash ECU, go for it. Those ECU's operate both "analog" gauges and digital versions of the same. Bought a dash for my motorhome project and it has all "analog" gauges driven by the ECU. And it has digital readouts for temps, fuel, etc through a scolling display.

 

[Brett Proctor]

One other thing I'll mention is chevy has electric aux heaters in some of their cars and trucks

Don't know anything about them except they are used when the coolant temp is not up to temperature then when the coolant gets hot enough the main heater takes over.(I think thats how it works)

The Sonic is suppose to have one but I haven't found any pictures of what it looks like or where its mounted.

Well I'll leave you guys alone and crawl back into my cave.

 

[letterman7]

Oh no... I want to see if you can crack the electronics code...

Heater sounds interesting.. I wonder how many amps it draws?

We don't have salvage yards around here like apparently you do - everything here is pared down when a car arrives and only the major components are saved. Everything else is scrapped.