Another update on the cluster lcd replacement status (long)

odoboyusa · 01-18-2006, 10:11 AM

Hi everybody!
Just another update on what's going on with the lcd replacement project.
First of all, i worked/searched hard but was able to find some info on the lcd driver chip.
The problem with the lcd is that the chip is made by one manufacturer (i.e a generic chip that can drive all kinds of graphic lcds) and the lcd screen by another and the connection that fails is, guess where, exactly where the two different parts come together. Maybe that is why they fail, because it's not the same manufacturer that puts them together and the two parts are from different manufacturers.
The exact same screen is used on the garmin gps 45 so if you have one of those that work, you (or i) could transfer the screen.
I now have identified correctly all the pins and all data signals so next step is to interface it to any lcd, for the beginning. The problem is that data comes in bursts at the frequency of 1mhz which is quite fast for a lot of inout/output ports found on commonly used microcontrollers. Another problem is that the dashboard cpu does not check the busy flag of the lcd and any data not processed by the input port is lost.
The other challenge is to find an lcd screen that will fit the original location, which by the way, is pretty odd and very tight, not a lot of room for expansion or for the board of a conventional lcd module (i.e. one that uses rubber strips rather than flex cables).
Another problem is with the dual color backlight, that would be lost with a conventional monochrome lcd module and would be pretty hard and costly to implement. I am also looking at a color lcd that could display the two colors or even more, making the colors user configurable. But first things first.
I am getting a little bit crowded with school and work but i should be coming up with some results in about two weeks to a month.
Thanks for reading.

dscottjr · 01-18-2006, 10:15 AM

TwinTurboTerror · 01-18-2006, 10:27 AM

in the industry, it's a hobby of yours.

odoboyusa · 01-18-2006, 10:35 AM

quickaudi:STFA · 01-18-2006, 10:38 AM

S4Poor@Curbside · 01-18-2006, 10:42 AM

golfrsi · 01-18-2006, 10:42 AM

~~ModifiedA4~~ · 01-18-2006, 10:42 AM

for anyone else that wants to read a short history of the lcd fix, click

fairenough · 01-18-2006, 10:42 AM

odoboyusa · 01-18-2006, 10:43 AM

i don't have that much right now.
The hard part was figuring out the intrfacing method and lcd commands and that's done.
Thanks for the support.

01-18-2006, 10:11 AM	#1
odoboyusa Member Account #: 98365 Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 350	Another update on the cluster lcd replacement status (long) Hi everybody! Just another update on what's going on with the lcd replacement project. First of all, i worked/searched hard but was able to find some info on the lcd driver chip. The problem with the lcd is that the chip is made by one manufacturer (i.e a generic chip that can drive all kinds of graphic lcds) and the lcd screen by another and the connection that fails is, guess where, exactly where the two different parts come together. Maybe that is why they fail, because it's not the same manufacturer that puts them together and the two parts are from different manufacturers. The exact same screen is used on the garmin gps 45 so if you have one of those that work, you (or i) could transfer the screen. I now have identified correctly all the pins and all data signals so next step is to interface it to any lcd, for the beginning. The problem is that data comes in bursts at the frequency of 1mhz which is quite fast for a lot of inout/output ports found on commonly used microcontrollers. Another problem is that the dashboard cpu does not check the busy flag of the lcd and any data not processed by the input port is lost. The other challenge is to find an lcd screen that will fit the original location, which by the way, is pretty odd and very tight, not a lot of room for expansion or for the board of a conventional lcd module (i.e. one that uses rubber strips rather than flex cables). Another problem is with the dual color backlight, that would be lost with a conventional monochrome lcd module and would be pretty hard and costly to implement. I am also looking at a color lcd that could display the two colors or even more, making the colors user configurable. But first things first. I am getting a little bit crowded with school and work but i should be coming up with some results in about two weeks to a month. Thanks for reading. __________________ ---------------------------------------- ME = DIY mule. My toy : 2000 A6 2.7T 6 spd - still works great and feels like new

01-18-2006, 10:15 AM	#2
dscottjr Member Account #: 42392 Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 14,595	Keep up the good work!! I love to see drive and determination, especially from a 98,xxx user id! __________________ 00 S4, Euro spider hose mod!! 04 allroad, needs rs6 intercoolers, k04s and a cargo box...

01-18-2006, 10:27 AM	#3
TwinTurboTerror AudiWorld Super User Account #: 3779 Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 13,279	Wow, sounds mindnumbingly complicated. Kudos to you for figuring all that out. I guess since you're in the industry, it's a hobby of yours. __________________

01-18-2006, 10:35 AM	#4
odoboyusa Member Account #: 98365 Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 350	My hobby is embedded systems so this is very close. It is also very challenging and i like that. __________________ ---------------------------------------- ME = DIY mule. My toy : 2000 A6 2.7T 6 spd - still works great and feels like new

01-18-2006, 10:38 AM	#5
quickaudi:STFA AudiWorld Super User Account #: 85312 Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 9,934	^^^ Needs to change screenname to "THE MAN" if he gets this to work. __________________ 2001.5 Audi S4 6spd, Eibach Pro Street S coilovers, AWE DTS, 710N's, VAST SS, Zoldman O2's, ECS afterrun thermoswitch, Darintake, Vast snub mount, RS4 tranny/motor mounts, Phatbox, ECS magnetic drain plug, VAGCOM mods, foglight mod, GIAC X & Flashloader, Avus wheels painted "Silver Arrow", Neuspeed catback exhaust, Neuspeed 19mm rear swaybar, 35% tint, RS4 grille, Euro headlights, ASP 3" dps w/ test pipes, A-pillar Prosport Performance boost gauge, AWE ICs, DDM 55W HID kit

01-18-2006, 10:42 AM	#6
S4Poor@Curbside Member Account #: 98473 Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,199	Mine is getting replaced next Wednesday. When it goes bad again I'm calling you.

01-18-2006, 10:42 AM	#7
golfrsi AudiWorld Senior Member Account #: 46784 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 3,788	Wow,,, just the thought that you might b able to integrate a color display in there is awesome.

01-18-2006, 10:42 AM	#8
~~ModifiedA4~~ Banned Account #: 143 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 34,564	nice..keep plugging away at it... for anyone else that wants to read a short history of the lcd fix, click

01-18-2006, 10:42 AM	#9
fairenough AudiWorld Senior Member Account #: 17124 Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 4,172	Please keep us posted! Meantime, I'll keep the HERO status application handy in case you pull it off

01-18-2006, 10:43 AM	#10
odoboyusa Member Account #: 98365 Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 350	One thing i know for sure, this is going to work, it will just take some time and that's what ... i don't have that much right now. The hard part was figuring out the intrfacing method and lcd commands and that's done. Thanks for the support. __________________ ---------------------------------------- ME = DIY mule. My toy : 2000 A6 2.7T 6 spd - still works great and feels like new

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