Riviera digital Instrument cluster (IC) into a Fiero dash (Page 7/14)
Cajun FEB 05, 03:32 PM
This is basically just a bump...

I am still checking the various indicators in the IC for functionality and addressing a couple wiring issues.
Kitskaboodle FEB 07, 10:29 AM
Just saw this thread.
Your electronic skills are amazing.
Few people would take on this kind of a project.

On a completely different note, I have the same instrument cluster as you. I got mine out of an early 90’s Riv. However, it went in to my Reatta. Did you know that quite a few Riv & Reatta instrument clusters suffer from the dreaded “00” error message? Trust me on this. . Also, I discovered that when you pull a Riv instrument cluster at a PickNPull, it is very wise to check all the bulbs! I have replaced quite a few.

By the way, I love the display but I HATE the stupid “headlights suggested” orange light. I hate it when my Reatta tells me what to do. I find it very annoying! I have asked my Reatta buddies how to disable it but alas, they said you can tell the car it is nighttime but that will only open up a can of worms.
Kit
Cajun FEB 10, 03:46 PM
Kitskaboodle, thanks for the comments. Replacing all the incandescent bulbs was one of the first things I modified on the Riviera IC cluster. Replaced the incandescent bulbs with LEDs.

As far as the "Headlights Suggested" goes I have a circuit for that. When you power up the headlights it overrides the "Headlights Suggested" signal. Bare in mind that I am not using the Riviera BCM.


Did a little more testing of the Riviera digital IC today as the weather here in south Louisiana is spring like. Having said that, the weatherman is telling us that an Artic blaster will be hitting south Louisiana by the weekend. They are predicting a 50 to 60 degree shift in the temperature. Oouch.

Here is a photo of the "Lights On" and "High beam" indicator powered:


A photo of the "Cruise" and "Resume" indicators powered:


I am having difficulties powering up the last four (4) indicators; the are "Low Coolant Level", "Washer Fluid", "Low Oil Level" and "Headlights Suggested".

I have contacted Chris Eddy to see if he has any ideas was to what the issues could be. In addition, I plan on purchasing a companion connector for the BCM so I can test it on a test jig. Don't feel like taking all the wiring down just to test the BCM.

[This message has been edited by Cajun (edited 02-10-2021).]

rbell2915 FEB 10, 07:10 PM

quote
Originally posted by Cajun:

I am having difficulties powering up the last four (4) indicators; the are "Low Coolant Level", "Washer Fluid", "Low Oil Level" and "Headlights Suggested".

I have contacted Chris Eddy to see if he has any ideas was to what the issues could be. In addition, I plan on purchasing a companion connector for the BCM so I can test it on a test jig. Don't feel like taking all the wiring down just to test the BCM.




Do you have a washer fluid sensor now? If you do not have a sensor, it won't light up. There isn't a wire for low coolant from the Fiero either.
Chris Eddy FEB 11, 10:26 PM
It was a matter of what to do with the icons on the cluster that had no corollary on our Fiero. So I just made an input to the BCM.. then if you want to modify or add a low coolant sensor, well, there is a place to plug it in. This input is "ground to activate". Some are not.. headlights on and left/right signal I believe are "12V to activate".
Cajun FEB 12, 04:54 PM
rbell2915;

My GT is equipped with level sensors on both the Coolant and Washer fluid reservoirs. Not stock but something that I added.

Photo of the Coolant Reservoir with the level sensor:


Photo of the Washer Fluid reservoir with level sensor:

[This message has been edited by Cajun (edited 02-12-2021).]

rbell2915 FEB 12, 06:04 PM
Nice!
87_FieroGT FEB 13, 06:13 PM
Amazing project! Please keep those updates coming.

------------------

1988 Pontiac Fiero GT, Black w/Beechwood interior
Featured in the 2018 Fiero Store calendar month of May
2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI S

Cajun FEB 19, 11:01 AM
No real progress to report. I am still trying to sort out why four (4) indicators are not working? Also waiting on a response from Chris Eddy. Besides for the past ten (10) days or so my garage has been below the freezing mark. Too cold to do any real work.

Like you I am hoping to complete and wrap up this project in the next couple of weeks or so pending good warm weather (above 50 degrees). I want to move on to the next planned project; installing a 2008 3.5l Chevy engine and 4T65E transmission.

Stay warm all!
Cajun FEB 24, 09:56 AM
Now that the weather has warmed up a little I was able to perform more testing of the wiring for the Riviera digital IC and Fiero interface. Still trying to sort out why some of the indicator are not functioning.

Chris Eddy has suggested that perhaps some of my issues with various indicators not functioning was in part due to pins in the BCM connector was not seating properly. Yeap, that appears to be the problem. Now all of the various indicators are functioning as intended. They are: Coolant High Temp, Low Coolant Level, Washer Fluid Level, Low Oil Level, Headlights Suggested.

The only item yet to be tested is the speedometer. I hope to do that this week sometime? I have to get another face plate for the IC cut. The first one is a bit too thick, 1/8" the new one will be 1/16th. Then button up secure the wiring and re- install the dash, then hopefully I am done with this project?

On another note, I am toying with the idea of building another mating connector for the Fiero BCM. The one I built for the Fiero BCM was actually my first connector build, so it's far from perfect. I have ordered another companion connector. If I choose to do that it will delay completing the project a bit.

Photo of the "Low Coolant" indicator. The indicator is in the "A/C Service" position on the Riviera digital IC. Sorry for the poor quality of the photo, difficult to capture.