This is my favorite baby: The dash integrated scantool, or just DashScan. This one was originally for the V6 only, but I now have a version for the 84-86 4 cylinder Fieros also. It still won't work with the 87/88 DIS L4 Fieros! It incorporates a complete scantool with a trip computer and nicely fits the unused slot above the tach, so there is no permanent mutilation of the instrument cluster.

Oh, and when I say scantool I don't mean just trouble codes, but all the important information that the ECM spits out! This includes: Coolant Temp, MAT, MAP, TPS, O2, Battery, RPM, VSS, EGR Duty Cycle, IAC, Integrator, BLM, O2 Crosscounts, Injector Base Pulse Width, Spark Advance, P/N Switch, EGR Switch, A/C request switch, A/C clutch solenoid, Open/Closed Loop, TCC, Shift light and Fan Relay. (Some values are V6 only or L4 only). For the complete list of capabilites see the online user's manual.

A new feature of the latest hardware revision is a socket for a mileage "coprocessor": the MPG-Chip. If this coprocessor is installed, you get an extra readout of your current mileage! Unfortunately this feature is only available with 86-88 V6 Fieros, the 85 V6 or the L4 can not utilize this feature.

DashScan II is operated with only one pushbutton (SPST) that can be installed out of sight in a convenient location: Using a cruise control stalk on a non-cruise vehicle, install a defogger switch in a non-defogger equipped vehicle, etc. Turning on the ignition with the button pressed toggles the device between scantool and trip computer mode. In trip computer mode it displays:

Current Speed
Trip Odometer
Trip Time
Average Speed
mileage and total fuel used (with optional mileage chip, see text)
inside temperature
outside temperature (if equipped with optional DS1820 sensor)

The first DashScan (featuring an LCD display) was installed in my 87GT in 1997, and I have had it there for 4 years without major problems, except for the LCD display. Since the LCD display was troublesome, I have developed a new LED based display unit (see image to the left).

It features an 8 digit alphanumeric red LED (!) display, which has an operating temperature range of -40C to +85C. That should take care of any temperature problems. It uses the unused slot above the tach, and it even dims when the headlights are turned on. The input is standard RS232 at 4800 baud, and it features a VT52 emulation, so the display can be used standalone as well, you can hook up a laptop to it and display whatever you want!

For your own experiments this display unit is also available separately (see the order page for details).

To the left is a picture of the current board. As you can see, it is very small and uses mostly surface mounted parts. Also, I have decided to switch to a professionally made, double sided board to make it even smaller. To the right is an example of the display with green LEDs instead of red. Unfortunately the display is no longer available in small (single digit) quantities here, so this is one of the reasons why I have discontinued the DashScan 2. However, if you want to build one yourself, I have a few blank boards left, contact me for details.

Installation is very simple, only 8 wires need to be spliced into the existing Fiero harnesses: three near the speedo (ignition power, ground and speedo signal), two at the ALDL connector (for scantool operation), one for the switch to operate DS2, and optionally an outside temperature sensor. The display is connected to the DS2 main board and has a dimmer input that can be spliced into the light switch wiring (this is the eighth splice).

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