Info Centre

Steve Long · Post by **Steve Long** » Thu Nov 20, 2003 10:35 am

Is there a method of frigging the info centre so that it gives temperature in degrees centigrade and fuel consumption in miles per gallon. Although I can use Farenheight I'm afraid litres per 100 kilometers means nothing to me!

pol · Post by **pol** » Thu Nov 20, 2003 11:43 am

i think that problem was ironed out on the later info center. The earlier ones had this strange combination.

pol

Steve Long · Post by **Steve Long** » Thu Nov 20, 2003 12:06 pm

Hmm...seems like I'm in the market for a later info centre then, Thanks Pol

David Thornber · Post by **David Thornber** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 12:08 am

The info centre rotary switch in the very early cars had a push button that switched the units (grey button on left side), on the later cars the button was changed and wouldn't depress. So if you can find an old model in a scrappy, this would be an option. My old ES was fitted with this switch (E plate 1987)

dragon · Post by **dragon** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 12:24 am

I'm sure my car still has the button to switch units, but I couldn't swear to it...

However, what the original poster was referring to was the fact that the old infocentre showed either MPG and degrees F OR KM/H and degrees C, when in this country you really want MPG and degrees C - the newer infocentres brought in this (correct) combination for the UK

volvofox · Post by **volvofox** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 3:02 am

yep. One of the many things that remind you the car is build for US standards.(MPG/fahrenheit combination, side markers, etc etc.

luck
JPF

Steve Long · Post by **Steve Long** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 9:26 am

Any idea what year the change took place to the newer info centre. My 1990 ES has the unpressable button and trying to thread a pin through a 1/32" hole at 70 mph incurs the wrath of other road users - but at least I'm not on the phone

Ben Harris · Post by **Ben Harris** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 9:34 am

My G-reg '89 ES also had the annoying "pin only" press switch, but I swapped it for one which didn't from an E-reg ES in the scrapyard.

Ben.

dragon · Post by **dragon** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 11:59 am

Oh sorry - I musinderstood something - I thought they were all "pin holes" - didnt realise there was actually one with a button? Both my 1989 ESs and my 95 turbo have pin holes - I thought thats just how it is...

C6REW · Post by **C6REW** » Sat Nov 22, 2003 6:51 am

Hi Steve,

I believe the change took place in the region of 92/93. When all my brochures arrive I may be able to be more specific.

With regards to changing for a newer info centre and switch DONT! From when my Vadis DVD was working I am sure I read that the changes in the two info centres was so big that it could cause serious problems.

Apart from that there are so many oddities about our cheesewedges in the electrical front that you may be taking on more than you bargained for.

Regards

Chris

Ben Harris · Post by **Ben Harris** » Sat Nov 22, 2003 10:37 am

Chris is right about changing the actual infocenters, but you can still change the switch over, the same way I did. Find an infocenter "control unit" in the scrapyard from a very early 480 (at least pre-'89) which has a standard toggle button rather than a "pin" toggle button.

I didn't want to simply swap my infocentre contol unit with the one from the scrapyard, because I knew that mine was calibrated properly and didn't know about the new (old?) one! Instead, I took both units apart and unsoldered the "toggle" switch from the old control unit, unsoldered the "pin" switch from my unit, and soldered the "toggle" switch in place. That way, I still had my original control unit, just with the better "toggle" button.

Ben.

Steve Long · Post by **Steve Long** » Mon Nov 24, 2003 9:19 am

That gives me much food for thought. I had considered looking for the later unit but realised that I'd have to change the fuel tank to a 60 litre version (much work but some benefits) but as you say Chris there are lots of other problems associated with the swap - the actual electrical gremlins are copable with but the technical changes could be hidden until after the thing is installed. I like your idea Ben, changing over the switch itself seems to be the neatest and safest approach, I think that's the route I'll go down. Thanks to all you guys for the advice and comment