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You know how everyone keeps saying it's impossible?
They're wrong.
2017 GS with 2019 cluster.
ALL of the configuration data was successfully transferred from the old cluster. Odometer, security values, lifetime hours, lifetime revs, and option configuration. All of my real world testing and bench simulation of the CAN bus data have so far shown all the functionality is intact.
I gained the updated 2019 track mode display, and the enjoyment of completing the project. The R&D part of it is a lot of fun for me.
Oh, and I did it without opening the cluster. So for anyone who just thinks I swapped or cloned the EEPROM chip, you're wrong. That wouldn't work anyway. They're formatted differently.
I gained the updated 2019 track mode display, and the enjoyment of completing the project. The R&D part of it is a lot of fun for me.
Oh, and I did it without opening the cluster. So for anyone who just thinks I swapped or cloned the EEPROM chip, you're wrong. That wouldn't work anyway. They're formatted differently.
Could this be done in a 2015 or are there other H/W and Software issues to consider?
Bill
Theoretically, sure. Depends on what your tolerance for risk is though. I've done enough reverse engineering and data simulation against my car that I'm confident it's going to work right. I had this thing running on my desk for four months or so before I put it in the car, and I've done a ton of other research related to the data systems in these cars. I don't have a 2015 to test against, so I don't have that level of confidence. I can accept the risk of screwing up my own car. I don't want to be responsible for someone else's.
Originally Posted by BluRace
1. Congrats
2. since i rarely use track mode, would i gain anything
3. IF i were to gain anything, can this be done to a 2014?
thx
This is the only significant difference between the two. The track mode display is laid out a lot better, and has more useful information.
2014-2017
2018-2019
Originally Posted by 3dpilot
That’s awesome!!! If ur feeling generous, please share some details!! Lol
I'm not going to post a full how-to because of the security functions involved. But here's the overview. For what it's worth, this is the same process you would go through if you were replacing a damaged cluster with a good used one.
1. Buy a good used 2018 or 2019 cluster. They're electrically the same, but the faces are different depending on whether or not you have a supercharged car, or one with a kmh speedometer.
2. Update the cluster's firmware to match your car's options. The firmware has to be compatible with your hardware. I got one of my test clusters dirt cheap because someone loaded 2017 firmware on 2014 hardware, and bricked it. Fortunately it wasn't completely trashed and I was able to save it.
3. Update the cluster's configuration to match your car's options. There's an opportunity for some customization here. You can turn certain warnings and menus on and off. Like the engine torque gauge, for example.
--Everything from here down requires knowledge of the seed/key security functions--
4. Program the car's VIN into the cluster.
5. Update the cluster's security PIN to match the car. I don't believe this is strictly necessary, but it's good practice. You'll need both the donor cluster's PIN, and the PIN assigned to the car.
6. Update the odometer. The "true" odometer value on these cars is stored in the body control module (BCM). The cluster just displays it. If the new cluster has lower mileage than your BCM, it should update automatically if all your config and security settings are right. If the new cluster has higher mileage than your BCM, it'll stay frozen in time until the BCM 'catches up'. Program it to match and you won't have this problem.
7. Update the immobilizer code. This can only be done once it's in the car, and requires knowing the PIN codes.
8. Sort of optional. Update the engine idle hours and that stupid lifetime revs value to match what you had. Or you can just ignore them. There's no legal or technical requirement for those. But in my case, I wanted all of the historic valuesto match. The lifetime rev value was an extra special pain in the ***, but I got it done.
9. You could probably copy the trip odometers over, but that's one thing I didn't bother with. I never bothered to figure out how to do that.
10. Hope you didn't lose any of the dozens of screws or break and of the clips that hold your dash together.
You need that for updating the firmware, but everything else is custom.
A lot of this could be done with EEPROM editing. I decided to challenge myself to do as much as possible without opening the cluster. Mainly because I didn't want to risk scratching the gauge faces. They're super delicate. With that said, the Corvette clusters are a lot easier to disassemble than something like a Buick cluster, for instance.
Most of the contemporary GM clusters with the 8 inch screen used the same hardware and similar software. So a lot of what I did could also be used on a Silverado, for example.
I tip my hat to you, love when people don't take no for an answer. My car pretty much lives in track mode and was disappointed when they updated to that massively improved display and didn't make it a retroactive update. Unfortunately I've gotten older and lazier so will probably stick with what I got, kind of used to it after 7 years now. The GS never overheats anyway so I just track it with the tire pressures displayed.
Yeah, very impressive work here -- the Track mode display in my 2014 Z51 is ... uh ... not at all impressive, would be a neat upgrade if the price was right.
OP, I hope you plan to make a business out of this, or make it open-source for others to use / learn from.
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Jeff - great work on getting this done. Not sure I want to take the risk of doing this to my 2014 (even if I knew how to do what you did, which I don't), but it is something that some members may want to do.
03-29-2023, 02:23 PM
2019 instrument cluster swap
