Styling Full LCD instrument cluster

[htevents]

With the (newer) 500's, you can replace the instrument cluster for an (aftermarket) digital LCD one. Are there also similar clusters available for Punto Evo's/Punto +2012?

I already did a lot of searching, but did not find them yet, but maybe someone knows better where to look (I am based in the Netherlands) or maybe someone build it themselfs?

 

[PuntoHowTo]

With the 500 its a later model fiat 500 colour LCD screen, not an aftermarket one.

from 2012 to 2018 the punto was less and less supported and so they never received any such updates so there is no such upgrades to the punto.

 

[htevents]

Well, I already kept that in mind, but hey, had been cool if it already existed.
And when something does not exist already, it maybe can created.

At the moment I am thinking about designing one for a Punto +12 (will fit Evo too I guess). The most important things I need for this, is to get all the signals (indicators, light-check light, engine light, etc.) the normal cluster also gets and a interface and piece of software, that accepts and read those signals. After that, the software has to display it the right way.

At the moment, there are a few programs (for Android, iOS, Windows, etc) on the market that provide already a lot of data dsiplaying from the OBD port (with a BT, USB or WiFi adapter). The ones I have seen, only show driving data, like speed, revs, boost, temps, etc. None of them also show like a dashboard, with indicators, engine check lights, etc. Can that even be done by the OBD2 port and if yes, what will happen if I disconnect the instrument cluster and drive "without" one (that is what the car will "think" if I replace it with a cluster that is connected thru the OBD2 port)?

Summed up:
- Can I read indicator status (like the lights on the dashboard) from the OBD2 port?
- Can I read other statusses (what can normaly be shown on the dash) from the OBD2 port?
- What will happen if the original cluster is unplugged?


Is there someone here already did a similar project, maybe on an other vehicle?

 

[PuntoHowTo]

If you’re planning to use something bespoke then why use the OBD port, just use the can lines in the car create a module for the can system that will read what ever you want off the canbus and desplay the information you desire.

Anything is possible but this sort of job would require a high level of skill and technical ability.

It would be a lot of effort for an old Punto.

 

[htevents]

I thought the OBD port is connected to the can system? Plus, a lot of software (Torque Pro, RealDash, etc) is already pretty much plug and play, altough I only need to know the signals for the dash icons (engine light, turn signal, etc.) and how to get the info what is shown on the original lcd display. The rest is already programmed in the already available software.

 

[varesecrazy]

From a 'lay-man''s perspective

Surely the 500 dash pod is the ideal starting point..

It has all the relevant info..
in at least broadly similar format

You just need to change the layout of
'the same' display into a punto shaped pod

How much are these..?

 

[htevents]

From a 'lay-man''s perspective

Surely the 500 dash pod is the ideal starting point..

It has all the relevant info..
in at least broadly similar format

You just need to change the layout of
'the same' display into a punto shaped pod

How much are these..?

Not entirely necessary. If it is really similar in format in height, just make/print a bracket to hold the 500 cluster on the original mounting points, so you keep the layout of the 500 cluster.

The main question when going this way will be: will it communicate well with the car or are the CAN protocols different, because of different Body module/ECU, etc?

Price wise, I have seen those for between 200 and 500 US dollars, but heard about people on this forum that they got it for under a 100 US dollars on ebay.

 

[chris3234]

Not entirely necessary. If it is really similar in format in height, just make/print a bracket to hold the 500 cluster on the original mounting points, so you keep the layout of the 500 cluster.

The main question when going this way will be: will it communicate well with the car or are the CAN protocols different, because of different Body module/ECU, etc?

Price wise, I have seen those for between 200 and 500 US dollars, but heard about people on this forum that they got it for under a 100 US dollars on ebay.

I've never even seen anyone mention buying one in us dollers in this forum?
Do the us moddel even have that cluster?



Anyway I doubt it will be plug and play the wiring will be quite different for a start connectors are very unlikely to be the same or even same.layout

 

[htevents]

I've never even seen anyone mention buying one in us dollers in this forum?
Do the us moddel even have that cluster?



Anyway I doubt it will be plug and play the wiring will be quite different for a start connectors are very unlikely to be the same or even same.layout

My bad, it where GB Pounds.

It seemed already to good to be true to just plugin a 500 lcd cluster in a Punto.

Well, seems I hev to reinvent the wheel a bit on this project.

Am I correct when assuming the OBD port is directly connected to the CAN system, so I can read CAN data from that port, without using the OBD protocol? If not, how can I get the CAN data in a mini PC/Raspberry Pi?
I saw PiCan v2 on the web and it uses OR a serial port (from OBD port to serial) or a 3 pin terminal (positive, negative, ground?). Where in the car should I connect that to?

I should need a list of all CAN signals for the instrument cluster, so I can program that to the virtual dashboard software. Anyone got a list like that laying around?:yum:

 

[PuntoHowTo]

You can already buy a head up display which plugs into an OBD port for about £20, or a multi display pod for about £50/60 that basically do what you’re looking for.

The problem with replacing the dials with an OBD device is that if you ever need to do diagnostics then you have to unplug your dashboard...

If you like tinkering then you can buy a canBus module for a couple of quid on eBay to interface a raspberry pi or arduino then everything else is just programming, but unless you’re a very skilled and experienced coder then it’s going to be hard work.

 

[htevents]

I know I can buy simple HUD's for cheap, but they only show speed and maybe revs, with a very simple UI. I started this poject because I want to change the whole cluster for a LCD one, because I want to show more info on it and from the clusters position, not from above the center console or with a reflection in de windshield.

Like I said, I saw about the can modules for RPi. They have a serial connector input (to connect to the OBD port) and a 3 pins input to tap into the CAN cables. Where do I have to tap into the CAN cables in the car?

 

[PuntoHowTo]

I know I can buy simple HUD's for cheap, but they only show speed and maybe revs, with a very simple UI.

This is the other sort of thing I was talking about, this is a very simple set up. If you want to pay bigger bucks then you can get fancier kit.

Alot of Golf R owners opt for a device that replaces the drivers side air vent with a half vent half digital readout for things like lap times, 0-60 and a whole host of other features used when track daying their cars. These plug into the OBD port to but cost about £400.

at the other end of the spectrum you can have full touch screen set ups for $2500

https://www.autometer.com/lcd.html

 

[htevents]

This is the other sort of thing I was talking about, this is a very simple set up. If you want to pay bigger bucks then you can get fancier kit.

Alot of Golf R owners opt for a device that replaces the drivers side air vent with a half vent half digital readout for things like lap times, 0-60 and a whole host of other features used when track daying their cars. These plug into the OBD port to but cost about £400.

at the other end of the spectrum you can have full touch screen set ups for $2500

https://www.autometer.com/lcd.html

Correct, I saw those too, but 400 pounds for such a small gauge is almost criminal haha. I saw a universal dashboard mount LCD gauge (with speed, turbo boost, revs and coolant) for about €80 on a known Chinese website. This was my first option. Then I thought about building a full digital cluster myself. The hardware part is not super hard, the software part a bit more, but not as much as finding out all the CAN ID's. I think the developer(s) of MES would have a lot of info about the CAN ID's controlling the cluster, but how do I get in touch with him/her/them? The MES forum seems almost dead.

I am at a point now that I need a CAN ID list to get progress with this project.

 

[htevents]

Well, after some reads, I think I have to give up this project for now.

It seems the car does have a problem when the CAN is missing the instrument cluster and it will give problems. That means, I have to approach this different. I will think about that and will post it here when progress is made.