FIS-Control

The FIS-Control is a digital gauge for Audi and VW cars. It reads the measurement values of the control units (e.g. the engine control unit) and displays the data at the DIS-display of the instrument cluster. This way a lot of vehicle related data can be monitored in real-time without the need to install extra sensors.

As the FIS-Control uses the existing display in the cluster and also may be controlled with the existing buttons of the control stalk, it integrates seamlessly into the car. It's small enough to be placed behind the instrument cluster, so it is perfecly invisible.

Depending on the control units features, the FIS-Control is:

a digital boost gauge
an air mass gauge
a digital speedometer
an oil temperature gauge
a fuel injection time gauge
a lambda sensor gauge
... a lot more

If this isn't still enough or some special values are unknown to the control unit, it is possible to connect a daughterboard to the FIS-Control that interfaces external sensors.

Features

Realtime display of measurement values
The FIS-Control connects to the electronic control units inside the car using the standardized diagnostic interface. The protocol is KW1281. This way the control units provide the so called measuring groups. Each group consist of up to four single values. The refreshrate depends on the control unit and is typically about two to four updates per second. With the FIS-Control any of these measuring groups can be selected and read out. The data then is displayed in the middle segment of the DIS-display in the instrument cluster. The measuring values are shown with a reasonable precision (regarding number of digits after the decimal point) and the correct unit, as is usual from PC based diagnostic tools.

Display of the diagnostic trouble codes
The onboard control units do have sophisticated self diagnosis functions and fault detection. A value that is out of range or malfunction of a sensor (either by defect or by short circuit of the signal lines) will cause a trouble code to be added to the internal error memory of the control unit. With the FIS-Control it is possible to read out these trouble codes. One can look up the codes in the internet, where you can find the error description and also help how to fix the problem. Due to lack of memory space, the FIS-Control doesn't have all the error descriptions in his internal memory. But it is possible to expand the memory with an external EEPROM (costs less than 5 Euros). This way the error descriptions can be shown in the DIS-display in clear text. No need to manually search the internet for the description.

Graph-display for every measurement value
Sometimes it is useful to observe a measurment value over the course of time rather to only have the current value. Therefore a single value can be selected and the FIS-Control will draw a line-graph of this value at the DIS-display. The scale of the graph can be configured in the settings menu of the FIS-Control. Additionally you can freely place two aid lines. For example the range for the engine speed can be from 0 to 7500 RPM and one aid line can be placed showing the perfect time to change the gear.
While the graph-display is in the middle segment of the DIS-display, the upper segment shows the current value of the ongoing measurement.

Show min and max values of the current measurement
During the measurement of a single value, the highest and the lowest value is detected by the FIS-Control and can be shown on a separate page.

Stopwatch timer
Ever wanted to know how long your car needs from 0 to 100 km/h, or the time from 4200 rpm to 6500 rpm in the third gear? The FIS-Control will tell you. The timer may be used for every measurement value. The start and stop triggers are freely adjustable.

Operate the boardcomputer during the single value measurement
During an ongoing measurement you can toggle between three different views. While one is showing the line graph and the second shows the min/max-values, the third shows the standard boardcomputer. In this view the current measurement values is still updated in the upper segment of the DIS-display, while the boardcomputer in the middle segment can be operated as usual. Browsing the three views is only a matter of one key-press.

Pass-through of the wiper stalk buttons
To operate the FIS-control the three buttons of the wiper stalk buttons can be used. A longpress of the up-key activates the FIS-Control. While the FIS-Control is inactive, the buttons are forwarded to thi instrument cluster. This allows to operate the boardcomputer as usual. One won't even notice that the FIS-Control is installed.

Converter "K-Line to UART"compatible to many PC based diagnostic tools)
Many well known diagnostic tools for the PC support OBD-dongles for the serial port of the computer. The FIS-Control can be used as such an OBD-dongle. It offeres a serial interface that can directly be connected to the COM-port or an USB-serial-adapter.

Menus in English, German and Portuguese
The firmware for the FIS-Control is available in two different languages, English and German. A Portuguese version is sold by a partner in Portugal (send me a mail for more info). Maybe other languages will follow upon request.

Units selectable (metric, imperial, US)
All measurement values are shown with the correct units. Choosing another unit system will convert all values to the requested system.

Snake game
... have a little fun in the traffic jam. (Game may be paused at any time, so stop-and-go traffic will not ruin your highscore).

Pass-through of the 3-wire-bus from a navi
The FIS-Control pretends to be a navigation-system to the DIS-display. A already installed navi can be used alternately to the FIS-Control without the need to change the wiring every time. Therefore the FIS-Control forwards all signals from the navi to the instrument cluster until the FIS-Control is activated by the user.
This is only applicable to navis using the 3-wire-bus. For navigation-system with CAN-bus and radios there are some restrictions.

Startlogo
At the moment the ignition is switched on, the FIS-Control may display a user defined startlogo to the DIS-screen. The logo can be customized by the user with the tool found in the download-section. It converts a TIF-image (that needs to have the correct resolution and color depth) to a file that can be copied into the FIS-Control.
Info: The startlogo feature is only working with certain cluster instruments, yet.

Firmware update
There will be firmware updated for the FIS-Control from time to time. They may contain new features, little improvements and bugfixes. I will provide the newest software for free download on this website. The firmware has to be flashed to the FIS-Control via the serial port. It's not needed to remove the FIS-Control from the car. You will need a laptop with Windows installed and a COM-port or an USB-serial-adaptor.

Delivery contents

You will receive a ready to use FIS-Control module. Wires and connectors are also included.

2010-10-20 - IMG_1260

How to order

The FIS-Control can be ordered using the following button or via email. The price is 150 Euros. Payment ist possible via PayPal or bank transfer (please request the bank account via email)

Free shipping worldwide. There is a one year warranty for the FIS-Control. Free support via email. Four weeks mony-back guarantee if you are not satisfied by the FIS-Control or if the FIS-Control is not 100% compatible with your car.

Before ordering, please be sure you have read and understood the safety information and the legal disclaimer in the user's manual (see download-section)

Installation

The preferred place for the FIS-Control is near the instrument cluster as you can find all needed wires in it's cable harness. To contact the wires I recommend the 3M Scotchlok connectors, UY2 and UB2A (not included in delivery contents).

I do have the pinout for most instrument clusters. If needed I will attach them to the order confirmation.

Extensions interface

The FIS-Control offers many features. Using its extensions interface it's up to you to add some more.

Interface for external relays
The FIS-Control can control an external relay-board. Up to 256 relays can be listed in the DIS-display. It possible to select any relay there and to enable or disable it.

Interface for external sensors
Using the extensions interface of the FIS-Control you can attach additional sensors. But it is not possible to connect the sensors directly. It will need an external board that gathers the measurements and converts them to the format used by the FIS-Control. I'll try to provide some examples how to do this.

Writing text to the upper segment of the display from external devices
The FIS-Control offers a serial interface that may be connected directly to a PC or any other device that has a RS232-interface. The characters sent to the FIS-Control this way will show up at the upper segment of the DIS-display. So it is possible to display songnames from a CarPC, or to use the DIS-display as concealed monitor for a radar trap warner.

On request I will provide all needed information about the extension interfaces of the FIS-Control. Also I will try to support you doing your own extensions. But I won't do the homework for you. Requests like "Will the FIS-Control be able to control my air ride or my exhaust throttle?" or " Will the FIS-Control be able to show the playlist of my MP3-player and allow to remote control it?", "Is it possible to show the EGT / turbine speed / LPG-tank on the DIS-display?" will be answered with "Theoretically yes, but...". The problem won't be the FIS-Control but the rest. For those of you, who already have a solution for their problem and just want to bring it together with the DIS, the FIS-Control will be perfect.

I will do neither any custom builds of the FIS-Control nor custom extensions. Not even for money. Maybe for a lot of money. Nonetheless I'd like to hear your ideas. The FIS-Control is what it is mainly because of my work, but also because of your suggested improvements.

Video

You need Flash to view the video.

More recent videos can be found on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ssmithee

Compatible cars

The FIS-Control only works with cars equipped with the "big" display in the instrument cluster. The half-size displays are not supported (but often it is possible to upgrade to the full display by simply replacing the instrument cluster... search the internet for more information).

The FIS-Control works with CAN-Bus and non-CAN-Bus clusters as long as the 3-wire-bus (CLK, DAT, ENA) is available.

Clusters that only have CAN-bus will not work. For clusters that support both busses, it is important to know that only one interface may be connected at a time. Therefore it is not possible to have a navi (connected via CAN) and the FIS-Control (connected via 3-wire-bus) both using the DIS-display. (If the navi is for the 3-wire-bus too, it will work.)

The FIS-Control is already tested as working in the following cars:

Audi A4 B5 (model years since 1997)
Audi A6 C5 (clusters with firmware up to VDO D10 should work)
Audi S3 8L
Audi S4 B5 (all model years)
Audi S8 (most likely until model year 2000)
Audi TT 8N (all clusters that can be coded to "+16" should work)
Volkswagen Transporter T4
Volkswagen Golf IV
Volkswagen Passat B5 (3B, 3BG)
Volkswagen Sharan I (the ECUs of newer models don't use KWP1281, so the FIS-Control will not be able to connect)
Ford Galaxy WGR
Seat Alhambra

I expect that the FIS-Control will work in all other VAG cars that meet the requirements listed above. The pins of the 3-wire-bus are labeled "clock", "data" and "enable". If you have these three pins at your cluster, chances are good that the FIS-Control will work.

Compatible instrument clusters

The following clusters are successfully tested. (I am thankful for any help to complete the list.)

1J0 919 890
1J5 920 946 CX
3B0 919 890 JX
3B0 920 845 AX
3B0 920 846
3B0 920 847 A
3B0 920 849
4B0 920 930 L
7D0 820 842
7D0 920 843 B
7M3 920 840 G
7M3 920 940
7M7 920 840 H
7M7 920 840 Q
8D0 919 880 N
8D0 919 880 P
8D0 919 880 Q
8D0 919 930 J
8D0 919 930 JX
8D0 920 932 BX
8D0 920 981 B

Not compatible instrument clusters

The following clusters will NOT work with the FIS-Control.

8D0 919 033
4B0 919 881 CX (seems not to work. I don't know why)
4B0 920 933 G (VDO D12)
4B0 920 937 B (VDO D12)
8N2 920 930 C (Component: KOMBI+WEGFAHRS. M73 D56) (no 3-wire-bus support)

Compatible ECUs

In general all ECUs that use KWP1281 are supported (some Engine Control Units like the SIMOS use a different kind of KWP1281 and are not supported yet).

Wiring diagram

2011-05-08 - FIS-Control - Anschlussplan

Forum

I started a thread related to the FIS-Control in the German "VAGDashCOM"-forum: http://www.gti-tdi.de/board2/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=4957

Download

User's Manual
Firmware-Loader
Firmware 2012-02-19 (English version)
Firmware 2012-02-19 (German version)
Startlogo-Converter This is a Windows tool to convert TIF-Images into a startlogo for the FIS-Control.

ZZottel