Dakota Digital HDX with the OBDII BIM module

[NC_John]

Anybody else running these components with their LS swap? The HDX gauges with the bim module (pulling all data from the OBDII)......

[davepl]

No, but they sound interesting if they're CAN based, as then they might work with things like the Holley injection as well, since it supplies a CAN bus signal.

They just snoop on the CAN wire pair and report standard PIDs like oil pressure and O2 and so on?

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by NC_John

Anybody else running these components with their LS swap? The HDX gauges with the bim module (pulling all data from the OBDII)......

I have and they work great. The only problem that I have run into is that if you need to plug in your scanner, you have to unplug the gauges.

[87chevy.com]

Yepp, can't use up tuners and gauges... took a while to figure out that one. But simply using a plug for the gauges instead of hard wiring solved the issue.
Clint

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

I have and they work great. The only problem that I have run into is that if you need to plug in your scanner, you have to unplug the gauges.

OK Rob, here's my question for this setup.

I got my first HDX gauge set and it had a bad button - wouldn't go into setup mode. Sent it back to DD. They either fixed it or sent me another one. The note said "no problem found" but it works now so whatever.

During initial setup of this second one, through my ipad on bluetooth, it does not recognize the pcm. The BIM module diagnostics (lights and those codes it can flash) says that IT is communicating with the PCM fine and dandy but the cluster says it doesn't see it. Everything is hooked up the way it is supposed to be.

I am hoping (REALLY hoping) that the cluster did not see the PCM because the engine wasn't running. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me but I'm running on hope right now.

I can't start the engine to confirm this until I get a few more things plumbed up.

PCM is good- its got hours of testing and runs the engine fine. I just hope I don't have another cluster issue. I had to pay over $40 in shipping/insurance to send the first one back to DD which pissed me right off since it was bad from the start. If I have to send it back again I will not be a happy camper.

Any thoughts?

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by NC_John

OK Rob, here's my question for this setup.

I got my first HDX gauge set and it had a bad button - wouldn't go into setup mode. Sent it back to DD. They either fixed it or sent me another one. The note said "no problem found" but it works now so whatever.

During initial setup of this second one, through my ipad on bluetooth, it does not recognize the pcm. The BIM module diagnostics (lights and those codes it can flash) says that IT is communicating with the PCM fine and dandy but the cluster says it doesn't see it. Everything is hooked up the way it is supposed to be.

I am hoping (REALLY hoping) that the cluster did not see the PCM because the engine wasn't running. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me but I'm running on hope right now.

I can't start the engine to confirm this until I get a few more things plumbed up.

PCM is good- its got hours of testing and runs the engine fine. I just hope I don't have another cluster issue. I had to pay over $40 in shipping/insurance to send the first one back to DD which pissed me right off since it was bad from the start. If I have to send it back again I will not be a happy camper.

Any thoughts?

Are you saying the BIM doesn't recognize the PCM? Did you update each gauge (oil, temp, speed, etc..) to get it's input from the BIM? Also, the cluster should see the PCM as long as the key is turned on.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Are you saying the BIM doesn't recognize the PCM? Did you update each gauge (oil, temp, speed, etc..) to get it's input from the BIM? Also, the cluster should see the PCM as long as the key is turned on.

no, based on the troubleshooting you can do directly on the BIM module through the basic codes and LEDS, the BIM sees and is communicating with the PCM. Its the cluster that says it does not see a PCM when I try to set it up through the ipad app.

I can get gauge readings for voltage and fuel level, but of course, both of those are independent of the PCM. I don't see anything else, but with the engine not running, they would be all at zero anyway.

If I have to take this dash apart a third time.......

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by NC_John

no, based on the troubleshooting you can do directly on the BIM module through the basic codes and LEDS, the BIM sees and is communicating with the PCM. Its the cluster that says it does not see a PCM when I try to set it up through the ipad app.

I can get gauge readings for voltage and fuel level, but of course, both of those are independent of the PCM. I don't see anything else, but with the engine not running, they would be all at zero anyway.

If I have to take this dash apart a third time.......

I would just use the gauge setup menu (not the IPAD, I think it's still Beta...). Try this, go to tachometer settings. Change the input source to BIM. See if that works.

[sprint_9]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

I have and they work great. The only problem that I have run into is that if you need to plug in your scanner, you have to unplug the gauges.

Im running VHX with the module and for this reason above I thought about atleast running the VSS and tach direct to the engine harness so as not to lose them while tuning or troubleshooting.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

I have and they work great. The only problem that I have run into is that if you need to plug in your scanner, you have to unplug the gauges.

And that is not an issue exclusively with Dakota Digital stuff. All my fleet trucks at work (from pickups to class 8 trucks) have GPS units for tracking and remote diagnostics. The GPS is hooked up to the diagnostic port (OBDII or 9 pin). On some of the trucks I have to disconnect the GPS before I can hook up a scanner.

I guess its a network issue with the CANBUS communications. I had a similar issue here installing some new software to allow in-house programming of our commercial/pro motorola 2-way radios. The computer was getting confused as it recognized the radio as an additional network that was causing conflict with the LAN network (interwebs). Nothing worked until we unplugged the LAN. Took a while to figure that one out! I need to get my kids involved in this. I'm starting to feel like my Dad around this ever-changing tech.

[b16crx]

Originally Posted by NC_John

And that is not an issue exclusively with Dakota Digital stuff. All my fleet trucks at work (from pickups to class 8 trucks) have GPS units for tracking and remote diagnostics. The GPS is hooked up to the diagnostic port (OBDII or 9 pin). On some of the trucks I have to disconnect the GPS before I can hook up a scanner.

I guess its a network issue with the CANBUS communications. I had a similar issue here installing some new software to allow in-house programming of our commercial/pro motorola 2-way radios. The computer was getting confused as it recognized the radio as an additional network that was causing conflict with the LAN network (interwebs). Nothing worked until we unplugged the LAN. Took a while to figure that one out! I need to get my kids involved in this. I'm starting to feel like my Dad around this ever-changing tech.

Have you ever tried one of these Dual OBD2 adapters? I have the HDX gauges for my truck and I was going to give this a try when I get to that point.

https://www.amazon.com/iKKEGOL-Split...obd2+connector

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by b16crx

Have you ever tried one of these Dual OBD2 adapters? I have the HDX gauges for my truck and I was going to give this a try when I get to that point.

https://www.amazon.com/iKKEGOL-Split...obd2+connector

Have tried this and it is very intermittent....

[First c10]

I made my own and it doesn’t work. I had to unplug one to use the other. I just installed my hdx set up and just unplug when I have to tune the truck.

[thehata1]

Originally Posted by First c10

I made my own and it doesn’t work. I had to unplug one to use the other. I just installed my hdx set up and just unplug when I have to tune the truck.

Thank you for the feedback.

[solidaxel]

Question about the BIM.

Have you connected a scanner to your OBD2 port to verify that it works OK? Also, you need to make sure the BIM is set to read the "J" protocol. It should work regardless if the engine is running or not as long as you turn the key on.


Weare having problems with the BIM connected to the OBD the engine will start and run for a minute or two and then stalls.
Unplug the BIM and all is good.
Do you think the "J" code is the problem?

Sorry for the hijack
__________________

[saon]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Question about the BIM.

Have you connected a scanner to your OBD2 port to verify that it works OK? Also, you need to make sure the BIM is set to read the "J" protocol. It should work regardless if the engine is running or not as long as you turn the key on.


Weare having problems with the BIM connected to the OBD the engine will start and run for a minute or two and then stalls.
Unplug the BIM and all is good.
Do you think the "J" code is the problem?

Sorry for the hijack
__________________

i just had the same issue on a ls swap. dakota digital has a fix. when i called they were like " oh yes, send it back" so they updated the calibration in it to fix it. said the revision 1.8 needed updated to 1.9 in the bim.

disclaimer, i expect it back tomorrow or wednsday to verify the fix.

problem was
truck ran perfect, plugging in the bim caused it to stumble randomly at idle and try to die flashing the check eng lite. un plug bim runs perfect.

[72MARIO]

I just found out i have the same problem with my suburban stalling.
Nice expensive fix for me. Just send it bavk to us...great if only I was in the US wouldn't be a problem.

Originally Posted by saon

i just had the same issue on a ls swap. dakota digital has a fix. when i called they were like " oh yes, send it back" so they updated the calibration in it to fix it. said the revision 1.8 needed updated to 1.9 in the bim.

disclaimer, i expect it back tomorrow or wednsday to verify the fix.

problem was
truck ran perfect, plugging in the bim caused it to stumble randomly at idle and try to die flashing the check eng lite. un plug bim runs perfect.

[stevenbear72]

Following, as I will most likely be buying the hdx or vhx kit soon once I see who has a better deal on them

[Bluerust]

Not quite the HDX, but I installed a VHX gauge system for my '86 with the Bim module late last summer. I have a PSI harness and PSI supplied E38 ECU/T42 TCU(4L80). I used an OBD splitter from Amazon. The gauge panel works great so far, knock on wood...

Hooking a scanner to it was interesting but worked. The code readers I have did not completely connect when I turned the key on initially. When I turned the key off it finally displayed codes and let me clear them. I think the scanner worked after turning the ignition back on at that point too. I've forgotten some details.

I had a misunderstanding with PSI when I talked to them about using the BIM module. I have an L96 6.0 with VVT. The PSI harness has the stock oil pressure sensor plug and the Bim module uses it. A PSI staff member had originally told me I needed to add the dakota digital oil pressure sensor to the engine also, which I did at first, but it wasn't needed after talking to a different PSI staff member during a different phone call.

[TA_C10]

Anybody know what is included with a 2003 ECM? Does it provide all of the following that the BIM can use?

VSS
TACH
OIL Pressure
Water Temp
Trans Temp
Gear indicator
Cruise Control light on dash
Check Engine Light

.

[saon]

Originally Posted by TA_C10

Anybody know what is included with a 2003 ECM? Does it provide all of the following that the BIM can use?

VSS
TACH
OIL Pressure
Water Temp
Trans Temp
Gear indicator
Cruise Control light on dash
Check Engine Light

.

on mine it showed
VSS
Water temp
Trans temp
gear indicator
Tach should show up but i ran the white wire from the ecm to the bim
check engine light i also ran the tan mil light from ecm to the bim
i didnt have cruise so i dont know if the light shows up.
oil pressure is not shown. i had to run the DD sender unit and wiring.

also wiring in a 2nd aldl connector doesnt work. when the DD is plugged into
1 port it wont allow a scan tool (gm tech 2) or a tune tool (hp tuner or efi live) to communicate with the ecm. you HAVE to unplug the DD before trying to communicate with the ecm anyway.

this is just my experience on a 411 warren pcm which i have done a few swaps with.

[TA_C10]

Originally Posted by saon

on mine it showed
VSS
Water temp
Trans temp
gear indicator
Tach should show up but i ran the white wire from the ecm to the bim
check engine light i also ran the tan mil light from ecm to the bim
i didnt have cruise so i dont know if the light shows up.
oil pressure is not shown. i had to run the DD sender unit and wiring.

also wiring in a 2nd aldl connector doesnt work. when the DD is plugged into
1 port it wont allow a scan tool (gm tech 2) or a tune tool (hp tuner or efi live) to communicate with the ecm. you HAVE to unplug the DD before trying to communicate with the ecm anyway.

this is just my experience on a 411 warren pcm which i have done a few swaps with.

No oil pressure?? That's not cool. What about a 2005 PCM? Will that show oil pressure? The PCM/harness has a oil sender so I feel like this should be displayed through OBDII/BIM.

[akdg87]

anyone have issues with their gauges cutting out? I have the BIM with VHX in my pickup. High RPM accel 'power' them down and they restart. Its only the gauges run through the BIM module that have seem to have this issue. Using the 0411 PCM as well. Just kinda frustrating cause i cannot see the rpm or speed when flooring it.

[General23cmp]

Originally Posted by akdg87

anyone have issues with their gauges cutting out? I have the BIM with VHX in my pickup. High RPM accel 'power' them down and they restart. Its only the gauges run through the BIM module that have seem to have this issue. Using the 0411 PCM as well. Just kinda frustrating cause i cannot see the rpm or speed when flooring it.

Did you figure this out?

[skyphix]

EDIT: Nevermind - seems you got oil pressure, which is pretty awesome.