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MAN#650258 

1994-96 Chevy Caprice & 94-95 Impala 

Dakota Digital Gauge Installation 

This sheet covers the installation of the Dakota Digital gauge kit into the original cluster. 

 

 
1.  Remove the cluster from the vehicle.  
 
2.  Remove the 8 screws holding the clear lens onto 
the cluster.  Remove clear lens, lens to separator 
adapter and separator plate from the gauge cluster.  You will not reuse the separator plate. 
 

 
 
 
 
3.  Remove outer gauges and the gear indicator/speed 
display cover. 
 
4.  Remove the 4 screws holding in the speed display 
board.  Also remove the 5 light bulbs in the main 
display area.  
 
 
 
 
 

 
5.  Cut out the divider between the slots on top of the cluster as marked with a red X in the photo on the 
left.  Remove any sharp points or edges as the ribbon cable for the new gauge system will pass through 
here. 
 
6.  Pass the ribbon cable through the opening as shown.  Feed it through until the display panel is close to 
position. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Summary of Contents for VFD3

Page 1: ...e cluster You will not reuse the separator plate 3 Remove outer gauges and the gear indicator speed display cover 4 Remove the 4 screws holding in the speed display board Also remove the 5 light bulbs...

Page 2: ...ble the cluster 10 The stock indicators can be used for everything but the high beam and turn signals See main instruction manual for remainder of installation A new wire for the oil pressure sending...

Page 3: ...treet rodder car and truck enthusiast INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL Please read this before beginning installation or wiring MODELS VFD3 RET 4510 W 61ST St N Sioux Falls SD 57107 Phone 605 332 651...

Page 4: ...several production automobiles vacuum fluorescent displays give superior performance and visual appeal over LCD or LED display systems Emitting a blue green light that can be filtered to a wide varie...

Page 5: ...l Be careful not to compress the glass against the front lens Again note that the displays are glass and should be handled with care Use extreme care around the glass evacuation tubes small tubes at t...

Page 6: ...them into the bezel and place a nut on them before placing the display system on it Be very careful not to hit the displays against anything as they are glass and will break Adjust the height of the p...

Page 7: ...e firewall and body Failure to properly ground the engine block or the control box can cause incorrect or erratic operation DIMMING The gauges are designed to dim down when the headlights are turned o...

Page 8: ...inal on it On MSD ignition systems connect to the TACH output terminal On computer controlled ignition systems consult a service manual for the wire color and location GM LS1 engines require the tach...

Page 9: ...line may also be used to remote mount the sender to the fire wall The sender gets its electrical ground connection to the engine block through its threads Do not use Teflon tape or thread sealant on...

Page 10: ...ect the sender wire for damage check the routing of the sender wire check the sending unit grounding and check that the sender selection is set correctly for the sending unit that is connected CHECK T...

Page 11: ...eft turn indicator can be used or a new wire can be connected from the turn signal switch RIGHT The RIGHT terminal is activated by a 12 volt signal from the turn signal switch When this terminal has 1...

Page 12: ...ach is dedicated to rpm warn messages On systems with one message display the speed performance and rpm warn messages will use the same display To enter DEMO mode press and hold the switch while turni...

Page 13: ...650066 11...

Page 14: ...graph displays a bar tach can be shown on the message display On systems that do not have a digital tachometer display the rpm can be shown on the message display or the tachometer reading can be swit...

Page 15: ...te WARN set rpm shift warning point SIGNAL select normal or low voltage tach signal NORMAL LO VLT FUEL SENDER set fuel sender type CUSTOM GM 30 GM 90 GM 250 F 10 F 150 V 180 SW 33 CUSTOM calibrate cus...

Page 16: ...isplay will show zeroes You should now begin driving the measured mile The message display will count the number of pulses received from the sensor The message display cannot be used to determine when...

Page 17: ...u will either need to have the sender out of the tank or begin with the tank empty and add fuel during the setup When CUSTOM is displayed press and release the switch The speed display will show the c...

Page 18: ...ed press and release the switch The current cylinder setting will be displayed Press and release the switch until the desired setting is displayed Press and hold the switch until DONE is displayed Dis...

Page 19: ...ld SW 1 switch while turning the key on Release the switch When OIL is displayed press the switch again and then release it The message display should switch between WARN and TEST Pressure warning set...

Page 20: ...used altered or installed incorrectly The above warranties both expressed and implied do not cover damages caused by improper assembly misuse abuse fire unauthorized modifications floods or acts of Go...

Page 21: ...12 volts connected to it Control box may not be getting Check if the control box has a ground a proper ground connection Do not use a battery charger to power the system The control box may have Conta...

Page 22: ...re is too close to Reroute or isolate the tachometer the vehicle sitting still the to the speed sensor wire wire away from the speed wire speedometer reads higher There is a ground problem between Mak...

Page 23: ...of the range manual for instructions The oil or water display The engine block may not be Use heavy ground cables from the reading is incorrect grounded to the chassis frame battery to the engine bloc...

Page 24: ...ot connected This feature is designed to work indicator does not to a TPI control module with engine control systems that operate properly provide an active low signal The check engine The Engine Cont...

Page 25: ...uld have switched 12 volt power from an ACC point on the fuse panel The orange wire should have constant 12 volt power The black wire should be connected to a good ground point When the blue wire has...

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