Getting it to fit in the hole was quite easy, just unscrew the 2 cross head screws that are in the "Hole" below the radio, and draw out the Storage Bin/clock unit all in one piece, and the computer just clips straight in the hole.......
Wiring was quite a simple affair. There is a wire that goes to the battery, one to the ignition ( I tapped into the wires for the radio for this ), one that connects to the sidelight feed, so it dims the display lights when the headlights are on ( The redundant clock wires have such a supply ), an earth, and a wire that connects to the speed transducer output, and a fuel interface output.
The speed transducer was a bit tricky. It outputs a coarse square wave signal, into the instrument pack, which is then cleaned up. The computer is supposed to read the "Clean" Signal. On the V6 engine, there is an output to the ECU and cruise control, but the Haynes Manual does not show wiring diagrams for the V6, so I took a gamble and tapped into the Speed Transducer input to the ECU, pin 6, which is a red/black wire, thinking that the ECU would need a clean signal to avoid sending everything wrong, and it worked!, incidentally my car is equipped with the "Hotwires" Injection system which has the 2 separate ECU's
The final wire, is the fuel interface connection. Basically, this wire measures the amount of time that No 1 injector is open, and calculates the amount of fuel that is passed through. It then multiplies this figure by 6, in order to calculate the fuel used.
Now, as you will appreciate, this is not much use on a 4 cylinder engine! This is where Simon Stirley is about to work his magic...... He is in the process of constructing a circuit, and writing the program, for a unit that will multiply the injector signal by 4 instead of 6-and will let you know how it works when it is finished........
At the moment, it appears to be working well. The mileage on the computer is 100% in tune with the odometer, and the average speed and ETA functions are spot on. Will have to see how the fuel pans out.
The VC monitor is a different kettle of worms entirely!! There are wires everywhere! I have not bothered to sort this, as I am not man enough-Yet!. All I have done, is connected the power, and this allows the Vehicle map to light up, but still shows the Frost sysmbol. If I can find way of extingushing it, I will! Im afraid it will just have to be for cosmetic purposes for the time being!, as unless I can get some serious assistance with the wiring, it will stay as is!!
If you fancy having a pop at fitting one, it is relatively simple, save for the fuel interface, but Im sure Simon would supply details, if you ask him nicely!
If you want to source a computer, contact Rab at Barrem Motors. [email protected]
He charges about the �25 mark, and will include as much wiring as he can cut back.......
Have a go!!