Silverado Driver Information Center (DIC) Info

Hello,

I have a 03 Silverado LS. I am assuming that I have the DIC in my truck, because everytime I start my truck it says, "driver 1" .... I get low fuel readings...etc

Since I do not have the steeing wheels controls, how can I access the DIC? I've heard people say that you can use a button on the radio??? I really want to see my mileage...and all the other fancy stuff.


Any ideas how I can access the DIC without the steering wheel controls?


Thanks again

Okay, I am guessing since no one knows, that it can not be done.... darn it....lol

Really wanted to see my current fuel milage...and do all that other fancy stuff

I've never heard of it being done. I am curious to see if it is possible to get a steering wheel w/ buttons and hook it up without rewiring the whole cab.

I think the driver's information center is a feature that comes in the overhead console. I'm sorry if this is incorrect for the silverado, but I just installed a console in my jimmy and that's where these functions are located.

I think the driver's information center is a feature that comes in the overhead console. I'm sorry if this is incorrect for the silverado, but I just installed a console in my jimmy and that's where these functions are located.


Humm... could the buttons be located inside the rear view mirror? I have the mirror with the compass and the temp guage in it.


It's driving me freakin nuts try to access the DIC features...

I've never heard of it being done. I am curious to see if it is possible to get a steering wheel w/ buttons and hook it up without rewiring the whole cab.


I know that JP makes an aftermarket steering wheel with the buttons, but when I went to the dealership, they were all baffled. They told me to expect to have my entire steering column rewired, including turn signals...etc They said I may need a new computer chip which cost over $400 plus with all the labor. On top of that they said that it is possible for me to buy all the parts, and labor which could easily go up to 1K and they could not be able to do it, so everything would go to waste.

Bummer..... I wonder what the controls in the rear view mirror do? Got to go play with them now..

Are you sure you bought the option? There are 2 types of DIC's. One with "mode" and "US/metric" buttons, and one with "on/off" and "US/metric" buttons. If you have the on/off style I don't think you can access the extra features.

Oh yes, I think that "driver 1" thing may be for programming your seating comfort settings. I know in my parents Park Ave you can program 2 drivers settings. You just have to choose between driver 1 and 2 and the chair automatically moves to your programmed settings. I would consult your owners manual.

I just looked at my owners manual, and it has alot of sections about the DIC however they are talking about the DIC for people with the steering wheel controls. I do not have the steering wheel controls on my truck.

I do think that I have the system, but I just can't access it anywhere.

I do think that I have the system, but I just can't access it anywhere.

All Silverados have the system. You and I just don't have the fancy features like mpg, oil percentage, etc. The DIC is what gives you that ding ding ding "change engine oil" message. The problem is that without the steering wheel controls, its pretty much useless.

You can view those functions if you buy an 03 overhead console for about $40 off ebay. It'll take some hard wiring, and you'll lose your patience, but it's pretty easy to do in my opinion. You just have to tap a few basic connections and tap your serial data signal off of your drivers information connector below the steering wheel, and the display computer will be able to decode the signal into its appropriate mpg, range, etc functions. I've actually heard that some vehicles come with the wiring harness already installed in the headliner.

I think your SOL. sorry, just my opinion.

You can view those functions if you buy an 03 overhead console for about $40 off ebay. It'll take some hard wiring, and you'll lose your patience, but it's pretty easy to do in my opinion. You just have to tap a few basic connections and tap your serial data signal off of your drivers information connector below the steering wheel, and the display computer will be able to decode the signal into its appropriate mpg, range, etc functions. I've actually heard that some vehicles come with the wiring harness already installed in the headliner.


If you find any links to where I can find this item please post it here... I am searching eBay now, and still have no luck

I just bought a 2005 silverado, and it has the DIC and no steering buttons, and for what I read in the owners manual, all the information is already available in the DIC, it just isn't accessible without the steering wheel buttons. According to what I have seen, there is only 1 harness available for the steering column for $16, so that tells me that all the wires are in place from the factory, but not connected; this was the case with a 97 Pontiac that I have, I added options to the vehicle, and all I had to do is buy the particular item from Ebay or local dealer and plug it in.
I just purchased a brand new factory wheel from Ebay, and will try to install it asap, and will post results.

From what I've read in other forums 03's to 05's do have what it takes for the DIC. However, adding a steering wheel and harnes won't be enough. You need to have the instument cluster flashed at the dealership to wake up the features. Here's the catch. You VIN will tell the computer that your truck didn't come with these features so the flashing won't work.

I've only heard of one guy who got his factory 03 cluster to work and he did it by having the tech at the dealership get his hands on the overide codes from GM (which GM doesn't like to do from what he said), but his friend at the dealership was persistant and was able to get the correct VCI#'s for the BCM and and IPC. Apparently these numbers are specific to each vehicles VIN.

One other way I've heard that worked was when another guy bought a Denali instrument cluster and installed it. However, if you decide to have the cluster flashed to get your odometer readings you will loose the DIC info (cause your truck wasn't supposed to have). In this case the owner opted to have a milage decalration sticker in his doorjam so that he wouldn't have to flash the cluster and loose the DIC stuff.

There's an article on how to make your own buttons (if you don't want to buy the wheel with the buttons) if you have a cluster with DIC enabled at:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=30133&st=0

If anyone has any other info on how to make this work or who can flash the cluster without twisting some arms I'd love to know. I just picked up an 05 crew cab and am kicking myself for leaving out that option.

I will check the link out, as for getting the cluster reprogrammed, I will have to find out if I can get it done, I know people at 2 different dealerships, and they may be able to get it done for me. Since I already bought the wheel with the buttons, I will utilize the protion that operates the radio, which is what I was really after.

Thanks again, and I'll post my findings as soon as I have new info.

I just bought a 2005 silverado, and it has the DIC and no steering buttons, and for what I read in the owners manual, all the information is already available in the DIC, it just isn't accessible without the steering wheel buttons. According to what I have seen, there is only 1 harness available for the steering column for $16, so that tells me that all the wires are in place from the factory, but not connected; this was the case with a 97 Pontiac that I have, I added options to the vehicle, and all I had to do is buy the particular item from Ebay or local dealer and plug it in.
I just purchased a brand new factory wheel from Ebay, and will try to install it asap, and will post results.



what was the result after installing new wheel? I have an 04 without the steering wheel and wondering if the new wheel works without any problems.. please let me know

what was the result after installing new wheel? I have an 04 without the steering wheel and wondering if the new wheel works without any problems.. please let me know

Not sure where he found the 16 dollar harness (called the clockspring). I had to replace mine and it was over 100 bucks. Trucks that didn't come with DIC have clocksprings harnesses without the connectors to hook up your steering wheel. Intalling a new clockspring harness with the wires you need to connect your steering wheel buttons is a several hour proceedure. Here's a picture of my old one to give you an idea.

http://www.crumbgrabber.com/ebaypics/2005gmclockspring.jpg

If you want your radio buttons to work you'll need to get the BCM reprogramed so that your radio will know you've got the buttons. Either that or you can buy an aftermarket Head Unit with remote capabilities and then buy a PAC adaptor so that you'll be able to control that radio.
Fun huh?

what was the result after installing new wheel? I have an 04 without the steering wheel and wondering if the new wheel works without any problems.. please let me know


Before I got to install it, the dealership where I had bought the truck contacted me and asked to bring the truck back due to some other, non related pre-existing issues, and gave me a different truck, which had the DIC with the wheel buttons already on it, so I just Ebayed the wheel.

I did find some other threads, can't remember if on this or other forum, I did a lot of surfing on the issue, that dealt with this issue in depth.

Good luck

Before I got to install it, the dealership where I had bought the truck contacted me and asked to bring the truck back due to some other, non related pre-existing issues, and gave me a different truck, which had the DIC with the wheel buttons already on it, so I just Ebayed the wheel.

I did find some other threads, can't remember if on this or other forum, I did a lot of surfing on the issue, that dealt with this issue in depth.

Good luck

I've got a bunch resources might help with the installation if you're interested.

My 05 Crew cab didn't come with buttons either. It was a lot of work but worth it.

Good luck!
DC

any help would be apreciated how much for the whole converstion aprox?

any help would be apreciated how much for the whole converstion aprox?

I think by the time I got my wheel, coil kit (clockspring or whatever you want to call it) wire harness and had the truck reprogramed I was around 400 bucks.

By far the hardest part is getting your truck programmed so that the buttons you install will actually work! It took a very persistant tech guy at my dealership! My Tech guy said he had to keep calling GM Tech to get the codes until he found a guy who was actually willing to get the codes for us! Not sure why this was so difficult, but it was.

This is the one you need to print out and take to your dealer so that the tech guy can see what he needs to do.
http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=36882

Here is a great guide to removing your stereing wheel.
http://autowoods.com/installation_guide.htm

Here is a good thread from GM Trucks.com
http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=17291&hl=instrument%20cluster&st=0

Here is a good one on making your own buttons.
http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=30133&hl=instrument+cluster

Here are a couple threads from an Avalanche site with good info.
http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/topic,43670.0.html
http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/topic,39585.0.html

Hope this helps!
DC