1997-2003 Grand Prix Analog to Digital DIC Conversion

For everyone who wants to convert over their analog DIC to a digital one, today I successfully did this modification in a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 3.1 V6. A fellow forum member, Yourpappy, gave me a ton of great information on his post here (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=762051) and I also used wiring diagrams from mitchell ondemad. You can download them here:

Guage Cluster/DIC wiring 1 of 2 (http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/8601/cd1uw6.jpg)
Guage Cluster/DIC wiring 2 of 2 (http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/7529/cd2sr2.jpg)
Analog DIC connector end view (http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/1448/cevkx3.jpg)
Digital DIC Schematic (http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5403/ddicme5.jpg)
Analog DIC Schematic (http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/7089/adiczi0.jpg)

I ordered my Digital DIC from Ed Morad's auto parts ebay store. It costed $65.00 including shippind and it came with the spare plug and wires. It is in very good condition and I would totally recommend anyone who needs parts to contact him. Here is the dash before modification. Just a plain old analog DIC, Nothing Special.
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/2391/img1031g.jpg

First I disconnected the battery's negative cable. Next comes disassembly of the dash. This is pretty straight forward. Just remove the lower kick panel by taking out the two 7mm screws and gently pry up to release the snaps. Then pop off the dash bezel. This is also held in by snaps, its easiest to start on the left side and work your way to the right. Remember to disconnect the fog light switch. Now you will have to angle the dash bezel out by tilting the steering wheel all the way down. Its kind of a hassle, but it can be done, just be gentle. The Analog DIC is removied by gently depressing the snaps on each side to release it.
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/1360/img1033p.jpg

Next it was a matter of finding all the wires needed by the Digital DIC. Most of them are at the Analog DIC already, but here are a few pictures taken by Yourpappy of where the others are located.

These two show where the Data Line can be found, be VERY VERY carfull splicing into this one.
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/5906/002lpn.jpg

http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/3152/001jrc.jpg

Yourpappy also found an auxilary power source for his constant B+ voltage needed. I couldnt find it maybe because I think he did this mod to a GT and I'm doing it to an SE. In my case, I had an aftermarket deck installed with a wireharness from wal-mart that plugs directly into the factory one. I used this harness to get my B+ and my grey and black wire from the interior lights system. Here is a picture of Yourpappy's auxilary power connection.
http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/129/auxpower1zd4.jpg

Here are some pictures of where Yourpappy and I spliced into to get VSS signal. (Photos compliments of Yourpappy)
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/2589/003ud.jpg

Here is how I chose to connect to each of these wires. I first sliced a little of the casing off with a razor blade then I wrapped my wire around, applied some flux, soldered it together, and taped it with black electrical tape.

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/9365/img1035k.jpg

Once I had VSS, DATA, B+ Constant, and Lights wires ran, it came time to cut the old analog DIC out and install the new one. I also soldered all these wires, but this time used heat shrink tubing. Here is a picture of me just getting the process started. It was pretty easy just matching wire colors, but I mainly relied on Yourpappy's info from his post along with the wiring schematics available above.
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/6605/img1036u.jpg

Here is a picture of all the wires soldered together.
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/4732/img1041t.jpg

When I got to this point, I plugged it in and made sure everything worked. I then wrapped everything in black electrical tape.
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/9118/img1039y.jpg

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/6455/img1042p.jpg

Finally everything has to be reassembled in the reverse order it was removed. Here are a few pictures of the digital DIC in and working, and the car put back together.
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/3636/img1045u.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/904/img1054m.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/8652/img1055s.jpg

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/9614/img1060p.jpg

Well, thats it. Looks pretty good huh? It went pretty straight forward like I thought it would. Took me about 2 and a half hours, but I was pretty meticulous with everything. Only had to do it once because there were no problems.

If you are doing this modification to an SE or GT you need to order a DIC with a "TRAC" button instead of a "TCS" button. I heard that these two are not interchangable and that the one with a "TCS" button is only used in GTP's.

I'd like to thank Yourpappy for the help with this, and also Ed Morad for such a great price on exactly what I needed. Now my Girlfriend is happy that she is one step closer to having a GTP like mine. Thanks Everyone!!! Good Luck.

Nice write up TBlake. Maybe we should combine the two threads (this one and yourpappy's and put them in the tips and maintenance subforum. Bob and Lynn, what do you guys think?

I agree nice writeup. Moved to Tips & Maintenance.

excellent job, glad I could help you :)

Thanks! Glad to see you here on the forums Mr. Morad!!!

i would like to do this swap as well, i have an 03 gt, but my analoge does not have the tire pressure light, or the last 2 trac spaces are both empty, all i have are the first 3 windows of my dic with idiot lights, will this swap work in my car, thanks for any help

Hey guys me again....

Just had a bulb burn out in my DIC and found these two posts.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=336441
--and--
http://www.automotivehelper.com/topic475884.htm

Both of them have some great info. In the bottom link, I even think Bob mentioned a brighter bulb part number that can be used.

I don't mean to beat the dead horse on the subject, but I need help and figure those who preformed this successfully could. I have a few questions.

Is the digital dic with the "check tire pressure" above the "low trac" only from the 1997 model (and therefore won't work on a 2001)?

When installed, and all the modes have a flashing Zero, what does that mean?

I think I need a wiring diagram specifically for a 2001 gt coupe. Could anyone help? As some of this write up helped, it didn't go as planned.

I used the instructions from this page and another and i end up with a few wires extra that I don't use from the existing dic and there was a wire or two from the digital I didn't know what to hook up to. I spliced up from the tan data wire, got power from the stereo, got the speed wire, and exnayed the HUD wire. Some of the color wires were not as described as above on both ends. I got a digital for cheap "claimed" from a 98, but am worried since it is not working as planned, and cause it has the tire light, it might be from a 97. Can anyone help clear this up?

Hope this makes some sense.

A flashing 0 on all the modes? I would check and make sure you hooked up the data wire.

Maybe the 97 DIC isn't compatible with a 2001.

A flashing 0 on all the modes? I would check and make sure you hooked up the data wire.

Maybe the 97 DIC isn't compatible with a 2001.

As far as I know, i've heard the 97 is only compatible with a 97. I dont know why. But hence the question about the tire sensor, maybe I have a unit from a 97?.....But I am 99% sure the data line is connected properly, I don't know what it could be....

ive been thinking about doing this and have several questions, ill just go ahead and start with this one. how is the analog DIC disconnected? do you have to cut the wires or just unplug a wiring harness? if you cut it out can i assume the digital one will come just cut out also, then all i have to do is connect all the wires plus add a few more? OR, if you simply unplug it, how do you attach the new wires to the digital dic? shove the new wires into the harness, solder them to the digital dic, or what?

The old analog DIC had to be cut out. There was no plug. The new digitial one has a plug on the back which you can see in the pictures. You will need to solder the wires together, then you can just plug in the digital DIC.

ohok, that makes perfect sense. next questions: where exactly on the car is the data line? i see that picture but it is zoomed in WAY to much to tell where exactly on the car that harness is. im also not quite clear where on the car you tapped into the VSS, could you explain that? and the "B+ constant" that is just a constant 12v from the battery, right? and finally, how exactly do you tap into the lights without an aftermarket stereo?

Ahhhhhhh.

-The data line can be found all over the vehicle. I chose to tap in at the DLC (Data Link Connector) near the drivers knees.

-The VSS picture is of the back of the instrument cluster

-Both the B+ constant and the lights circuit can be found at the back of the radio. The B+ is the only orange wire that goes to the radio and the interior lights wire is the only grey/blk wire in the radio plug.

You will see what I mean when you get it apart.

I will see if I can re-host the DIC pictures that for some reason arent showing up anymore.

the data line that goes all over the vehicle, is it a light yellow wire all over the vehicle like it is in the picture?

No, its more of a tan color. Its best to use it from the DLC so you know you have the data line. It's the only tan on at the DLC (or should be).

Well yesterday I swapped my analog DIC to a digital DIC, following tblakes write up. I used a DIC out of a 99 GT and installed it on my 01 GT.

Everything works as it should except when the exterior lights are turned on, the display does not dim, and the "Eng/Met" "Reset" "Mode" and "Trac" buttons do not light up. I checked for power at the tan wire (from the analog harness), making sure voltage went down as I turned down the dimmer. I also tried splicing into the radio gry/blk wire, and still nothing. I think something is wrong with the unit itself.

Everything else works as it should, and overall I couldnt be happier. Highly recommended.

Thanks tblake!

I cannot rememeber if that grey wire should vary voltage or if it applies B+. It might just be simply spliced to the wrong spot. I will look over the wiring diagrams and get back to you. Thanks for the comments. It sure is an improvement over the stupid analog junk one isnt it?

Nice Job.

*Fixed*

Turns out I DID have a wire spliced into the wrong spot. I had the B1 dimmer wire going to the Chime instead of the dimmer wire from the analog harness. Dont know how I made that stupid mistake, bit I did. Just switched the dimmers together and the chimes together and now it illuminates the buttons at night and the display dims appropriately.

Thanks for the help. Highly recommended swap!

Good Job, Thanks for the follow up!

Definatly a better looking DIC than the standard analog one isn't it?

Like night and day. I love it!

Hi, I want to do this mod. I have the DIC. However, I am missing the connector to the digital DIC. Having a hard time finding one. Anyone have an extra or know a hook up? thanks, Mike'y

I am in a similar situation. I have a digital DIC but I do not have the 24 pin connector for it. Does anybody have one to sell...or a part number..

Hi, I want to do this mod. I have the DIC. However, I am missing the connector to the digital DIC. Having a hard time finding one. Anyone have an extra or know a hook up? thanks, Mike'y

I am in a similar situation. I have a digital DIC but I do not have the 24 pin connector for it. Does anybody have one to sell...or a part number.
Mike'y were you able to find one...

Yes I was able through the great owners of GP's. I'll keep an eye out. Look in classified also. Mikey

Send Ed Morad's an email. I'd be willing to bet they could supply you with one.

http://www.moradpartscompany.com/

man tblake im stuck with two or three wires a blue for hud and then a brown i dont know where it goes. my dic wont come on at all the tac off light come on when pressed. where does the brown wire go

The brown could be ignition power, and if I remember right, the Digital DIC needs ignition at two wires, which I used the single brown wire to supply.

The blue wire, depending on which one it is may not be needed, It could be for an "EM Switch", english/metric switch. If you have a HUD, this wire would go to the HUD and toggle between MPG's and KMPL. LOL

I would double and tripple check everyting. Use those wiring diagrams and a multimeter is your friend.

Also, what kind of car, and what year DIC did you get? Some 97's are incompatible, and the GTP and GT DIC's are not interchangable.

i have a 97 gt. the dic came from a 97 gt. i got it to come on but iz flashing 0 everywhere. but where does the chang oil gray wire go

There is one change oil wire that came from the car that I did not use. The digital DIC gets that info through its data line vs the analog got it through that wire. Just tape it up. BTW, flashing 0's means it lost communication. Double check to make sure you have the Data wire hooked up correctly (one that goes to the OBDII port). Your car being a 97 may have a different color data wire. I am not sure, and there is really no way that I know of to test for a data wire with a multimeter.

And a question to everyone....

Seems like a lot of people are visiting this writeup, but I have only heard from a handfull of people, mainly only when they have problems with installing.

Did anyone else beside me do this swap and have success?

Images (the ones I still have at least) re-hosted 4-17-10

Images (the ones I still have at least) re-hosted 4-17-10

nice, according to my DIC I get 23.9 mpg with all city driving...so i get better gas mileage than her? and i have a 3800 instead of a 3100 lol

btw, why doesnt she turn the Pontiac lettering on above the CD player? I think thats such a cool addition

She gets pretty good with the 3100. not sure what the DIC levels at, but she gets about 380-400 miles out of a tank before it reaches the yellow mark.

Those pictures were taken before the Pontiac headunit mount (and performance shift knob) were installed.

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/9614/img1060p.jpg


in the pic its says 22.5 haha. According to the DIC i get better gas mileage :tongue:

And a question to everyone....

Seems like a lot of people are visiting this writeup, but I have only heard from a handfull of people, mainly only when they have problems with installing.

Did anyone else beside me do this swap and have success?

Yes. And although I posted before, Ill follow up. I get around 22-23 in city driving. This DIC is the coolest thing ever. I love it and Im proud I did it by myself using this great write up. I have a 2001 GT Coupe.

I bought my DIC thru Ed Morad. Same day tracking number and received the unit with connector to splice in about 2 days.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g241/88xjsport/DSC01448.jpg

Thanks again for all the help!

Where does the light blue Eng/Met wire go?

I own a 98 grand prix gt that came with the analog DIC, and recently bought a digital DIC from a 00 grand prix gt on eBay, or so it was claimed from a 00. I found the 24 pin connector for the DIC already in my dash tucked beside the glovebox. Plugged the digital DIC in, all lights came on like they should, including the screen. The problems began when the screen displayed zero's for all fields of measure. It stayed zero's while I drove around for approximately 100 miles over the next 3 days, and the screen promptly went black, never turning on again. The other backlights behind buttons still work and the "trac" indicators still light up, but the screen does not light up. I tested the backlights behind the screen and they still work. I am further concerned after reading in several places that 97 DICs are the only ones with a "check tire pressure" indicator, and the DIC I bought had this indicator. I also found out that 97 DICs don't work on 98-03 grand prix's and am wondering if anyone can make anything out of my problem.:uhoh: thank you guys

I think you are correct that the tire pressure monitoring system was discontinued after 97. And I think you are correct that the DIC's dont interchange (sorry to say).

You also have to be carefull with "trac" / "tcs" button. The "trac" will be for GT's and "tcs" is for GTP's. From what I hear the two are not interchangable.

Flashing 0's mean the unit is missing its data signal. Download the connector schematics in the first post and see if all the wires in your plug are in the correct places. You may be able to change some pins around in your plug to make it work.

Thank you very much! I will try this and see if it works!

So it turns out that I was sold an incompatable DIC. The guy was real nice and let me return it since it was his mistake. Eventually I will buy one that is right for my car, but it's not high on the priorities list for now. Thank you for your help!

Mine is a 97 gt that I just changed over. I took a dic out of another
97 gtp that I also own. Everything works except one thing
The fuel mpg is at 0.0 but the avg economy is working
The oil life is working as well as the two lights tire presure and trac off.
The info I found said to connect the vss line to the back of the guage
Cluster on wire ( f) on the white connector. Could someone tell me if that
Is correct or not. The dic was working in the other car prior to this.
Thanks

97 in 97
98-02 for those years
03 in 03's

I got it working. Now it's telling me LOW range. Gas tank is full I reset the mpg and fuel used. It will show 0 for about 5 miles then it flashes LOW and three chimes. Any ideas??

can anyone tell me on how i can hook up my dic unit to my 99 grand prix gt in which this does not have the hud unit and also it does not have the second wireharness that is located in the corner of the glovebox,so my question is where do i hook up my brown and orange wire that was supposed to go to that harness and the other wire that is sposed to go on the hud unit, please help anyone with any sugestions and oh yea the dic unit does have the trac control button in which it supposed to have.

Where does the light blue Eng/Met wire go?
Did you ever find the answer?

Great writeup, tblake.
I think I figured out the answer to my/others question about the LT/BLU-B7 wire.
B7 is not receiving the ENG/MET option from the HUD unit, it’s sending it to the HUD unit.
The ENG/MET switch on the DIC is getting it’s info/power from the DLC.
That’s why you don’t need it unless you’re also installing a HUD.
Please correct me if I’m wrong.

I need help im trying to upgrade my old analog Dic to Digital

I have a 97 Gt coupe

Help me please

What information/ help do you need?

I need to know which wires to splice together I have a 97 gt coupe and I took the DIC out of another gt coupe, and everything else comes on except the middle Display that shows the car

I need to know which wires to splice together I have a 97 gt coupe and I took the DIC out of another gt coupe, and everything else comes on except the middle Display that shows the car
I have a '99, so I don't know where you splice into to get power to A4 & B10. Hope this helps:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j128/pgr1932/AnalogtoDigitalDIC_zps966c6373.j (http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j128/pgr1932/AnalogtoDigitalDIC_zps966c6373.jpg)
also:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j128/pgr1932/DigitalClusterTerminals_zps3d598711.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j128/pgr1932/AnalogtoDigitalDIC2_zpsd42f7ab2.jpg

A few questions, First is there any writeups on bench testing either DIC or HUD?

Second, Every post I have read said only use 97 in 97. Seems that 97 has a low tire pressure light. Looking at all the instructions I don't see a difference in how to wire them, other than 97 has a wire for the low tire pressure. If you don't care about the low tire pressure, will a 98 digital DIC work on a 97?

From what I can tell the HUD's should work.

This was the newest thread I could find, being new, I hope it is ok to post to it.

On adding a HUD to a car that has not had it in the past, I have not seen any discussion on the HUD controls (Up/Down, Brightness)? I guess just assumed?

Just had a question you did the switch on se to to digital from gt I have a 03 gt with the analogue but has the plug in the back won't it work if I got 03 digital info centre if I just plug it in sense it's the same plug ?