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Dakota Digital 3 Series Installation And Operation Manual

Vacuum fluorescent digital dashboard
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VACUUM FLUORESCENT DIGITAL DASHBOARD
SERIES 3
NOW WITH
SOLID STATE SENSOR TECHNOLOGY
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 (160km) of operation. See odometer preset section
for instructions and setup information.
1
MAN 650066:E

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  • Page 1 VACUUM FLUORESCENT DIGITAL DASHBOARD SERIES 3 NOW WITH SOLID STATE SENSOR TECHNOLOGY 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 (160km) of operation. See odometer preset section for instructions and setup information.
  • Page 2 Thank you for purchasing the Vacuum Fluorescent Digital Instrument System from DAKOTA DIGITAL, the leader in custom automotive electronics. Representing the latest electronic dashboard technology for the street rodder, car, and truck enthusiast alike, the digital instrumentation uses state of the art vacuum fluorescent display technology to give the driver up-to-date and accurate information on the operation of his or her vehicle.
  • Page 3 MOUNTING SINGLE LENS SYSTEMS Your DAKOTA DIGITAL single lens system will come to you with a single plexiglass lens and instrumentation that is mounted in an aluminum case. The lens and the instrumentation have corresponding mounting holes. After you have affixed the mounting studs of your choice to the backside of your dash, the lens piece should be slid over the studs followed by the display system.
  • Page 4 • Silicone / RTV Complete Systems mounted in new bezel If your system came from Dakota Digital with a new bezel, installation on the system should be straight forward. Remove the factory gauges and bezel and install the new one.

  • Page 5: Gauge System Features

    • Brake Warning indicator • 4x4 indicator • Wait to Start indicator • Cruise Control indicator • Gear Position indicator which displays full gear word with use of Dakota Digital GSS- 2000 (purchased separately) Special outputs • Shift output to activate external light •...

  • Page 6: Message Displays

    MESSAGE DISPLAYS On systems with two message displays, Switch 1(SW1) will toggle between the speed message displays and Switch 2(SW2) will toggle between the tach message displays. On systems with one message display, SW1 will either switch from the tach message to the speed message and then toggle to the next speed message with each press and release.

  • Page 7: Control Box Mounting

    CONTROL BOX MOUNTING Once the display panel is in place, mount the control box within reach of the ribbon cable on the display panel (approximately 3 feet). Choose a mounting location that will allow you access to wire all of the inputs on the control box. Double sided tape, hook and loop fasteners, or screws in the two tabs on the case work fine for securing the control box under the dash.

  • Page 8: Terminal Descriptions

    Parking Brake Switch ECU/ECM Check Engine High Beam Output DISPLAY PANEL Wire Left Turn DAKOTA DIGITAL Right Turn Transfer Case Signal Wire GSS UNIT RIBBON CABLE Signal Wire Switch 1-Wire output CONNECTION Optional ONLY! Glow Plug Relay Wait To Start...
  • Page 9 “TACH”. If a diesel engine is being used, you will need a tach interface, such as Dakota Digital’s DSL-1 or DSL-2. Be aware of the cylinder setting when using computer outputs or reading the tach signal from an ECU. GM LS engines require the tach to be set up for a 4 cylinder, low voltage signal when reading from the ECU even though it is a V8 engine.
  • Page 10 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 11 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 12 WTR – This is the ground reference used for 2-wire water temp sensors. This will connect to one of the BROWN or BLACK wire from the Dakota Digital SEN-04-5. The BLUE or RED wire will connect to the WTR SND terminal.
  • Page 13 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 14 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 15 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.
  • Page 16 Setting up the control box Below is a list of all of the setup menus. You must have SW1 wired to enter setup; descriptions of each menu are below. Pay close attention to Setup Menus and settings as incorrect settings will cause faulty readings on the displays. Main Menu Sub Menu Description____________________...
  • Page 17 You can also read the speed signal with the use of a bus interface module (BIM). Dakota Digital offers the BIM-01-1 that will allow you to read the speed signal from an ECU if you are installing the system in a vehicle equipped with an OBDII diagnostic port or a drivetrain from a newer vehicle.
  • Page 18 (Auto Cal continued) NOTES: You do not have to drive at a constant speed nor do you have to avoid stopping during Auto Cal. When completed, you do not need to stop; you may, but you can also just press and release SW1 as you pass the one mile mark. The message display cannot be used to determine when the mile has been driven;...
  • Page 19 Speed Output (OUTPUT) If a speed signal is needed for an ECM or cruise control, the SPD OUT terminal can be used. This terminal can supply a 2000 ppm or 4000 ppm signal. If a BIM-01-1 is used to supply the speedometer reading, this output is not available.
  • Page 20 Display update setup (UPDATE) The display update rate can be adjusted so the reading on the tachometer doesn’t change so quickly. This is a personal preference and is used to “slow” the reading by averaging. The value can be changed from slow, mid, or fast. •...
  • Page 21 “DD C” to read in Celsius. You can also read the temp with the use of a bus interface module (BIM). Dakota Digital offers the BIM-01-1 that will allow you to read the engine temp signal from an ECU if you are installing the system in a vehicle equipped with an OBDII diagnostic port or a drivetrain from a newer vehicle.
  • Page 22 • Release the switch to go onto the next menu. 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 display to flash whenever the reading on the display is lower than the set point.
  • Page 23 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-03-8, 0-100 psi sensor, the voltage increases with pressure. At 0 psi, the voltage should be close to 0.5V at 100 psi the voltage should be close to 4.5V.
  • Page 24 Fuel sensor setup (SENDER) This menu is used to select the fuel level sensor type. The table above shows the seven options and resistance ranges as well as the custom option. Note: You need to calibrate the custom sensor to your specific fuel sensor if you are using this option in the custom setup in the steps below.
  • Page 25 DIM terminal has power applied to it. If you are using the separately purchased DIM-1kit from Dakota Digital, this brightness level doesn’t matter as you have total control of the brightness level with the twist of a knob.
  • Page 26 BUS INTERFACE MODULE SETUP The bus interface modules (BIM) can be added 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. All of the BIM readings are displayed on the tachometer message display where the tachometer and other performance readings are currently displayed.

  • Page 27: Troubleshooting Guide

    The corner of the display is white Return the display panel to light up at all, all others or the display is cracked Dakota Digital for repair. Include work correctly. or broken. a phone number and address. Call for RMA # before returning.
  • Page 28 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 sending unit is not Check that all speed sending...
  • Page 29 Symptom Possible Problem Solution ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The fuel display 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 30 If you purchased your instrument system with a clock built in, it must be wired separately. The clock displays the current time in 12 hour format. The digital clock from Dakota Digital incorporates the reliability and quality of our standard gauges. These features include: •...

  • Page 31: Troubleshooting

    Setting the time Through lens: Using a small, thin object such as a pen or hairpin, press “set” buttons through front lens access holes. If the access holes are on the right side of the lens, then the top “set” button advances hours and bottom “set” button advances minutes.
  • Page 32 Dakota Digital’s option. This warranty does not cover nor extend to damage to the vehicle’s systems, and does not cover removal or reinstallation of the product.

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