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VHX-84B-REG
Dakota Digital VHX Instrument Installation
For 1984-'87 Buick Regal
Your new VHX-84B-REG kit includes:
Universal
Installation Manuals
Sender Pack
Control Box
CAT5 Cable
(Connects Display
to Control Box)
VHX Display
Manual # 650373

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Summary of Contents for Dakota Digital VHX-84B-REG VHX-84B-REG-S-W

  • Page 1 VHX-84B-REG Dakota Digital VHX Instrument Installation For 1984-‘87 Buick Regal Your new VHX-84B-REG kit includes: Universal Installation Manuals Sender Pack Control Box CAT5 Cable (Connects Display to Control Box) VHX Display Manual # 650373...
  • Page 2: Installation

    Installation 1. Remove the gauge bezel from the dash. Now is a good time to clean the bezel. *The bezel is held in by push-in clips. Note the locations of the clips on the back side of the bezel. Pull near clips when removing the bezel. Manual # 650373...
  • Page 3 2. Remove the stock gauges by removing the four screws securing the gauges to the dash. A 7mm nut driver will work best for these screws. Keep the screws because they will be used to install the VHX gauges. 3. Connect the CAT5 cable to the system so it can be routed and connected to the control box as the instrument system is installed.
  • Page 4 4a. Remove the protective tape from the clear lens and install the VHX system into the dash. Watch carefully as you insert the system so you don’t scratch or damage the lens. 4b. Align the four mounting holes and re-use the factory screws to fasten the VHX gauges into the dash.
  • Page 5 6. Gauge installation is finished and you may now refer to the main manual for wiring instructions to complete the VHX installation. 4510 W. 61 St. N., Sioux Falls SD 57107 Phone: (605) 332-6513 Fax: (605) 339-4106 www.dakotadigital.com dakotasupport@dakotadigital.com Manual # 650373...
  • Page 6: Important Note

    Analog / Digital Gauge System INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL Please read this before beginning installation or wiring. IMPORTANT NOTE! This system has an odometer preset option that is only available for the first 100 miles of operation. See odometer preset section (pg 26) for instructions and setup information.
  • Page 7 Thank you for purchasing a VHX system from DAKOTA DIGITAL. VHX is a loose acronym for Vehicle Hybrid Instrument Systems. Representing the latest electronic dashboard technology for the street rodder, car, and truck enthusiast alike, the VHX system combines modern digital electronics with a traditional look to give the driver up-to-date and accurate information on the operation of his or her vehicle.
  • Page 8 TYPICAL VHX DISPLAY LAYOUTS Speed/LCD1 Message Center Tach/LCD2 Message Center Speed/LCD1 Message Center Tach/LCD2 Message Center Speed/LCD1 Message Center Tach/LCD2 Message Center Speed/LCD1 Message Center Tach/LCD2 Message Center MAN 650314:D...
  • Page 9: Care And Cleaning

    Never open the system or attempt to remove the needles as the calibration of the instrument system could be thrown off. All systems are calibrated and tested before they leave Dakota Digital. The clear lens on the front of the VHX system can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution or common glass cleaners.
  • Page 10 ECU/ECM Check Engine High Beam Output Wire DISPLAY PANEL Connect to tail light circuit, LED backlights will turn on when termianl has +12V DAKOTA DIGITAL Left Turn Transfer Case GSS UNIT Right Turn Signal Wire Tail Light Signal Wire Switch...
  • Page 11: Terminal Descriptions

    TERMINAL DESCRIPTIONS FUEL LEVEL SENSOR GROUND OUTPUT FUEL - FUEL LEVEL SENSOR INPUT FUEL SND FUEL LEVEL SENSOR POWER OUTPUT FUEL + TO DISPLAY CONNECTOR OIL PRESSURE SENSOR GROUND OUTPUT OIL - (Doesn't matter which one) OIL PRESSURE SENSOR INPUT OIL SND OIL PRESSURE SENSOR POWER OUTPUT OIL +...
  • Page 12 To avoid having to locate a compatible connection, a Dakota Digital BIM-01-1 may also be used with most 1996 or newer OBDII compliant computer systems to provide a tachometer reading.
  • Page 13 Dakota Digital supplies a 3-wire sensor for most of its kits; SEN-01-5. If you are using this sensor, the WHITE wire is the speed signal; connect to SPD SND. The RED and BLACK wires in the cable are power and ground (5V DC) and their connection is discussed in SPD + and SPD -.
  • Page 14 WHITE/BLUE connects to the ADJ SND. *This terminal should not be used for grounding any other sensors or devices as damage to the control box will occur. If not using a Dakota Digital DIM-1, this terminal should be left open.
  • Page 15 WTR – This is the ground reference used for 2-wire water temp sensors. This will connect to the BROWN or BLACK wire from the Dakota Digital SEN-04-5. The BLUE or RED wire will connect to the WTR SND terminal. ***DO NOT connect this terminal to any other devices OIL + This terminal is used to supply power to Dakota Digital pressure sensor SEN-03-8.
  • Page 16 This output is not typically used. It is a low current +12V supply for powering solid state fuel sensors. Currently, it does not have an application for any Dakota Digital fuel level sensors. ***This terminal should not be used with a typical resistive type fuel sensor. For most applications, leave this terminal open.
  • Page 17 The GEAR terminal is used for the gear shift indicator. The indicator is built into every system, but will not light up unless a Dakota Digital GSS-1000/2000/5000 gear shift sending unit is connected or a Dakota Digital BIM-01-1 with a compatible electronic transmission is used, telling the system what gear the transmission is in.
  • Page 18 This jack is used to connect bus expansion modules (BIM). Do not attempt to plug in any other device to this jack or damage to the control box will occur. This connector should be left open, unless using a Dakota Digital product designed for it. Operation is discussed with BIM units purchased separately from Dakota Digital.
  • Page 19 SETTING UP THE CONTROL BOX Below is the list of setup menus. You must have SW1 wired to enter setup, SW2 will be used in some menus as well; descriptions of each menu are below. Pay close attention to Setup menus and options as incorrect settings will cause faulty readings on the displays. Main Menu Sub Menu Description____________________...
  • Page 20 You can also read the speed signal with the use of a bus interface module (BIM). Dakota Digital offers a BIM that will allow you to read the speed signal from an ECU if you are installing the system in a vehicle equipped with the OBDII port or a drive train from a newer vehicle;...
  • Page 21 Auto Cal (AUTO) This menu is used to calibrate the speed signal by driving a measured mile. Start this procedure with the vehicle stopped at the beginning of a known measured mile. Shut the car off, press and hold SW1 and turn the key on and start the car then release the switch to get into setup once the car is running.
  • Page 22: Tachometer Setup

    If “Bus” is selected for the sender type, the speed signal should be coming into the AUX I/O port through the use of a BIM module. The adjustment ratio ranges from 75 – 125% on this setting. It is assumed that the signal from the external device is the correct pulse rate, so there are only provisions for slight adjustment.
  • Page 23 Press and hold SW1 while turning the key on. Release the switch. Press and release SW1 to get to the “TACH” setup menu. Press and hold the switch until “TACH ENGINE” is displayed to enter the tach setup menus, then release SW1. Now you can press and release the switch to scroll through the tach sub-menus, “ENGINE”...
  • Page 24 Temp sensor setup (SENDER) This menu is used to set the temp sensor type. Dakota Digital only offers one temp sensor for this system, it is SEN-04-5, 100-300 F(40-150 C), 1/8” NPT threads. You can use bushings to adapt the sensor to various locations.
  • Page 25 This can be used for a diagnostic tool if you are having trouble or feel that the reading is incorrect. For the Dakota Digital SEN-04-5 the resistance decreases as temperature increases. Typical values for the Dakota Digital SEN-04-5 sensor are:...
  • Page 26 OIL PRESSURE SETUP Dakota Digital only offers one pressure sensor for this system, SEN-03-8, 0-100 psi solid state sensor with 1/8” NPT threads. The Oil Pressure setup allows you to set up a low pressure warning point that will cause the message display to flash the oil pressure reading whenever the value is lower than the warning set point.
  • Page 27: Fuel Setup

    FUEL SETUP The control box can read seven common fuel level sender resistance values. If your sender is not shown in the table below, the system can be programmed to read a custom sender. The table below shows the seven pre-programmed senders and their respective empty and full resistance values.
  • Page 28: Lighting Setup

    You can even enable the back lights during the day if you wish so that the tic marks and needles are always lit. If you are using the separately purchased DIM-1 kit from Dakota Digital, the dim brightness level doesn’t matter; when the DIM terminal has power applied to it, you have total control of the night brightness level with the twist of a knob.
  • Page 29: Display Setup Menu

    Release the switch to go on to the next menu. BUS INTERFACE MODULE SETUP The bus interface modules (BIM) are an add-on product to Dakota Digital instrumentation systems. They allow you to add auxiliary gauge functions, such as fuel pressure, vac/boost, trans temp, etc., right into the system without having to add additional gauges.
  • Page 30 Secondary indicator setup (indicators) This menu will allow you to select where the indicators are displayed and if you want them shown in the face of the system, light only, or if you would like them also displayed in the LCD1 message center as well as the face so they are more visible in two locations.
  • Page 31: Information Menu

    INFORMATION MENU The information menu, “ “ “ “ INFO” is used to display software code information should you have any troubles; this information can be useful for troubleshooting as well as verifying the current speedometer calibration value if using the normal speed input (SPD SND). To view the version of software your instrument system has, press and hold SW1 while turning the key on.
  • Page 32 LCD MESSAGE CONTRAST ADJUSTMENT MENU In some cases, mainly in systems where the message center would be mounted further apart from one another or at different angles in the dash, you may want to adjust the contrast of the LCD for better visibility. By default the contrast is set about midway and this setting should be acceptable for most applications, but you can change it for individual preference.
  • Page 33 Speed/LCD1 message displays DESCRIPTION ODOMETER Odometer reading (0-999,999) Trip A odometer reading (0-9999.9) A MILES Trip B odometer reading (0-9999.9) B MILES KM/H Alternate speed unit conversion GEAR (with optional GSS-2000) Gear shift position indicator SERVIC (when enabled) Distance to next service (0-9,999, or ---- when past due) ENGINE Check Engine indicator Brake Warning indicator...
  • Page 34: Troubleshooting Guide

    Do not use a battery charger to power the system. The control box may have Contact Dakota Digital’s service an internal problem department with a description of the problem. System does not turn on...
  • Page 35 Symptom Possible Problem Solution ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The tachometer reading The tachometer signal wire is Check the connections at both is incorrect. loose or broken. ends of the wire. The engine cylinder setting is Refer to the “Tach Setup” section incorrect. of the installation manual. The speedometer will The speed signal is not Check that all speed sending...
  • Page 36 Symptom Possible Problem Solution ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The fuel gauge reads The control box may be set for Refer to “Fuel Setup” backwards, incorrectly, the wrong type of fuel sender. section of the installation manual or does not change. to ensure that the settings match your fuel sender.
  • Page 37 Symptom Possible Problem Solution ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Check Engine The Engine Control Module Connect a bulb with one wire to indicator stays on (ECM) needs to see the keyed power and the other to all of the time. load of a light connected to it. the CHECK ENG terminal.
  • Page 38 This Warranty is in lieu of all other expressed warranties or liabilities. Any implied warranties, including any implied warranty of merchantability, shall be limited to the duration of this written warranty. No person or representative is authorized to assume, for Dakota Digital, any liability other than expressed herein in connection with the sale of this product.
  • Page 39 MAN 650314:D...

This manual is also suitable for:

Vhx-84b-reg-s-rVhx-84b-reg-c-rVhx-84b-reg-k-w

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