My disclaimer, I don't claim to know all about this but here at the Hunner Hummer Institute or Arky Tecknolo-G, we are compiling as much common sense deductions of these things as we can.
I have in my possession all three of these clusters.
Just some images and info for reference of the cluster on the dash. On an automatic, engage emergency brake and turn the key on so you can pull the gear shift back away from the dash. I think most know you wet your fingers and stick them in the two 12v outlets, and oh wait that's not it, just stick um in there and sort of lift up and out firmly. STOP when it comes loose and check for plugs so you know where they go before pulling any more if you need to.
I found there are four kinds of clusters, Base with no locker, adventure/offroad with rear locker, and the same only with both lockers. On the one with both the stabiltrac button moves down by the 12v outlets in one of those hole next to them.
Mine is an Alpha Offroad and in the center bigger area it says "Passenger Side Airbag" there are also lighted symbols. Later clusters I have found do not have that writing but do have the lighted symbols.
They all have the wavy lines button for stabiltrac.
There is also a skinny "N" on the divider between 4w hi and 4w lock that indicates the transfer case is in neutral which can be used for towing. You have to use the emergency brake to hold the vehicle stationary in this mode as it will not matter on an auto where the shifter is.
Some one with a manual shift will have to state if that is also the case, but I think that may work the same way?
I see several ways to interpret the "VIN specific" issue. This is what I have concluded, for whatever that is worth?:shifty:
The VIN would reveal what cluster your vehicle would require based on what functions your particular vehicle is capable of.
There is not one cluster for each VIN but rather for each similiar equipped vehicle.
"assembled in China" on the back side, molded into the plastic.
The early ones up to my 2008 at least are 16 pin connections on the back thru one modular plug.
The newer ones with dual lockers that I have for newer units have 18 pins.
The buttons are just buttons, they contact spring loaded rubber coated switches on the circuit board. So they are push once, push again to send a signal voltage for that function to the brain.
My original idea of coming off the correct pins for an added front locker and wiring in a relay to take the load might work but would need a safety switch to allow that to only function when I intend for it to might be doable. But I guess except for cosmetics a protected high quality switch like Eaton includes in aftermarket sales units would be easier for some. I would still want a protection switch to prevent accidental engagement. Wired this way will not include the control device protection of only locking in low and unlocking at speed.
I had one with a red flip up cover on my old Triumph Tr2 because reverse and 1st gear were the same lay gear and could cause tranny failure if the overdrive was engaged while in reverse. I also had a big red light on the dash!
Anyway, I see no IC chips or any programming ability in these clusters. There are tiny led's and larger led's to illuminate the selector symbols.
I bought a single locker cluster at random no vin given and have plugged it into my H3 and all functions work.
Feel free to correct or add any hands on info you may have to this post.
Mine in my 08 Alpha H3
spares and research units
My spare single locker, switch side of circuit board. The tiny white things are led's, the small black round things are the switches. I don't believe these are designed to carry a load just trigger the next thing in line that will. This also shows the 16 pin connector and the different shape and size.
back side of circuit board with large led's here I used it to support the button panel.
dual locker cluster showing 18 pin connection. Shape coded so the 16 pin would not fit.
I have in my possession all three of these clusters.
Just some images and info for reference of the cluster on the dash. On an automatic, engage emergency brake and turn the key on so you can pull the gear shift back away from the dash. I think most know you wet your fingers and stick them in the two 12v outlets, and oh wait that's not it, just stick um in there and sort of lift up and out firmly. STOP when it comes loose and check for plugs so you know where they go before pulling any more if you need to.
I found there are four kinds of clusters, Base with no locker, adventure/offroad with rear locker, and the same only with both lockers. On the one with both the stabiltrac button moves down by the 12v outlets in one of those hole next to them.
Mine is an Alpha Offroad and in the center bigger area it says "Passenger Side Airbag" there are also lighted symbols. Later clusters I have found do not have that writing but do have the lighted symbols.
They all have the wavy lines button for stabiltrac.
There is also a skinny "N" on the divider between 4w hi and 4w lock that indicates the transfer case is in neutral which can be used for towing. You have to use the emergency brake to hold the vehicle stationary in this mode as it will not matter on an auto where the shifter is.
Some one with a manual shift will have to state if that is also the case, but I think that may work the same way?
I see several ways to interpret the "VIN specific" issue. This is what I have concluded, for whatever that is worth?:shifty:
The VIN would reveal what cluster your vehicle would require based on what functions your particular vehicle is capable of.
There is not one cluster for each VIN but rather for each similiar equipped vehicle.
"assembled in China" on the back side, molded into the plastic.
The early ones up to my 2008 at least are 16 pin connections on the back thru one modular plug.
The newer ones with dual lockers that I have for newer units have 18 pins.
The buttons are just buttons, they contact spring loaded rubber coated switches on the circuit board. So they are push once, push again to send a signal voltage for that function to the brain.
My original idea of coming off the correct pins for an added front locker and wiring in a relay to take the load might work but would need a safety switch to allow that to only function when I intend for it to might be doable. But I guess except for cosmetics a protected high quality switch like Eaton includes in aftermarket sales units would be easier for some. I would still want a protection switch to prevent accidental engagement. Wired this way will not include the control device protection of only locking in low and unlocking at speed.
I had one with a red flip up cover on my old Triumph Tr2 because reverse and 1st gear were the same lay gear and could cause tranny failure if the overdrive was engaged while in reverse. I also had a big red light on the dash!
Anyway, I see no IC chips or any programming ability in these clusters. There are tiny led's and larger led's to illuminate the selector symbols.
I bought a single locker cluster at random no vin given and have plugged it into my H3 and all functions work.
Feel free to correct or add any hands on info you may have to this post.
Mine in my 08 Alpha H3
spares and research units
My spare single locker, switch side of circuit board. The tiny white things are led's, the small black round things are the switches. I don't believe these are designed to carry a load just trigger the next thing in line that will. This also shows the 16 pin connector and the different shape and size.
back side of circuit board with large led's here I used it to support the button panel.
dual locker cluster showing 18 pin connection. Shape coded so the 16 pin would not fit.
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