Saab IPC 650 Gateway Instruction Manual

**Saab IPC 650 Gateway

**

Change Log

Introduction

This is not an e SID (extended Saab Information Display) product but a gateway unit to allow integration of IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster) from a Saab NG9-5 2010-2012 into a Saab 9-3 2003- 2006 and replacing the MIU (Main Instrument Unit). IPC and MIU are two different names of the same thing (Instrument Cluster), just different platforms/architectures. The internal name at Saab for the NG9-5 was ‘650’, hence the name of the gateway unit.

The Saab 9-3 is based on the GM/Opel Epsilon-1 platform and the new generation Saab 9-5 belongs to GM’s Global Epsilon platform (also called Epsilon-2). These platforms are very different and the entire electrical architecture was redesigned for the global platform, which then result in two totally incompatible clusters. A gateway module has been developed to fit in the middle and merge these two platforms together.

This integration of NG9-5 cluster is fully compatible with the e SID 03-06 (which is designed for NG9-3 2003-2006).

Saab 9-3 Bus Architecture

The early NG9-3 vehicle (2003-2006) is equipped with two CAN-communication buses (P-bus, and I bus) and one fiber optic bus (O-bus) as illustrated in the figure below:

Updated with the IPC from NG9-5 it will look like the picture below. The MIU has been removed and the IPC and GW has been added, which then takes over the responsibilities of the MIU.

Compatibility Matrix

The gateway will only work on MY2003-2006 (pre-facelift) due to a more or less perfect match with NG9-5 IPC features. Two hardwired inputs to the IPC could unfortunately not be solved with the GW hardware (Coolant Level Low and Washer Fluid Low warnings) but this is not an issue on 2003-2006 due to those warnings will still come up on the SID near the windscreen.

All features that are normally handled by MIU in the vehicle must now be handled by GW instead. Some of these features like: Odometer, Immobilizer and Fuel Level functionality requires configuration and these parameters needs to be programmed into the GW, i.e. It will be locked to one vehicle/VIN. This data will be pre-programmed before shipped to the customer. No tools or read- out from the car is needed, only VIN, Odometer and Fuel tank size.

This also means that the Odometer will work and update when the GW is in the car (the start value needs to be programmed), but when the normal MIU is put back later on, the Odometer will be back to that value the car had when GW was installed (since MIU was never in the car, it couldn’t have known that the Odometer has increased). This can be solved with updating the Odometer manually with TECH2.

The GW will not be implementing MIU diagnostic functions, i.e. TECH2 communication with the 650 IPC will not work (read more about this in separate chapter).

Gauges

• Engine Speed
• Vehicle Speed
• Coolant Temperature
• Turbo Boost
• Fuel Level

| OK

• Fuel tank size needs to be programmed into GW

| OK

• Fuel tank size needs to be programmed into GW

Telltales

• Engine Lamp
• Turn Indicators
• Park Brake
• Exterior Lights
• Driver Seatbelt
• Airbag, Battery
• Cruise Control
• ABS/ESP
• Tire Pressure Warning

| OK| OK
Trip Computer

• Fuel Consumption
• DTE
• Distance

| OK

• Should be OK, needs to be verified

| OK

• Should be OK, needs to be verified

Odometer| OK

• Odometer needs to be

| OK

• Odometer needs to be

| programmed into GW| programmed into GW
Immobilizer| OK

• VIN and Immobilizer data needs to be programmed into GW

| OK

• VIN and Immobilizer data needs to be programmed into GW

Saab Information Display:

• Serious warnings (except the Coolant/Washer warnings)

| OK
(Handled by ICM, SID and GW, will come up on both SID and IPC)| OK
(Handled by GW and shown on IPC)
Saab Information Display:

• Coolant Level Low
• Washer Fluid Low
• Outside Temperature

| OK

(Handled by ICM, SID)

| NOK

• Information/Warnings not available.

Saab Information Display: Vehicle Settings

• ESP Off
• Language
• Units
• Heater timers
• Etc.

| OK
(Handled by ICM, SID)| NOK

• Change vehicle settings not possible.
• GW not sending out Vehicle Configuration. Unclear outcome.
• Not possible to start Aux. Heater.

Adapter Harness

The adapter harness is needed to connect the IPC and GW to the vehicle. The GW unit uses a OBD connector due to re-used e SID hardware, and has nothing to do with the vehicles normal OBD connector.

It is unclear if the adapter harness could be built with correct connectors, most likely not due to they are old and out of stock (especially in low volumes). Maybe it will be possible to build and sell an adapter harness but without the connectors (to be soldered/connected by the buyer). Too early to say at this point. The Molex connector for the IPC 650 cluster is probable also available on other parts of the vehicle and other GM vehicles from the same time. Same connector in different color is no problem, but the color coding needs to be cut off the connector.

Cluster Installation

Middle parts painted black so it is more hidden from the rest for the driver.

Dashboard Bezel Modification

Also the dashboard bezel needs to be modified. Below is a comparison between the one installed in the test vehicle and an original un-cut bezel. The best method is probably to take it little by little and make tryouts in the vehicle.

Installed in a vehicle with removed “ears”, painted plastic, and modified bezel. Cable ties are hidden by the bezel and the instrument cluster is also covering nicely the space behind the cluster. Its probably possible to 3D- print a front plate and attached it to the “ears” that has been cut off in the picture, but that will be up the person doing the installation.

Instrument Cluster Variants

All variants will work on all gasoline cars (B207 + B284). The diesel clusters have and extra Glow Plug Indicator Light, which will not be lighted up by the GW unit. The NG9-5 diesel clusters engine speed gauge only goes to 6000 rpm, but has no electrical issues on a gasoline car.

Low spec clusters without color display should work as well, however not verified yet.

Quiescent Current

This is not an issue, GW and IPC consumes less than 2mA together.

Vehicle Maintenance / TECH2

The TECH2 will be more or less compliant when MIU is missing on the bus depending on what needs to be performed, so when TECH2 work is needed the original MIU most likely needs to be connected but it is enough to connect it to the I-bus at any place in the vehicle, i.e. it could be connected in the trunk to the Rear Electrical Center (REC). There is no need to disconnect the GW module or the IPC, the TECH2 will not see them.

It is possible that this adapter harness could be built and sold with the gateway unit for easy installation in cars without sun-roof (on cars with sun- roof the cables will then need to be crimped together with the existing cables.

NG9-3 MIU Battery Voltage – Pin3
NG9-3 MIU Ground – Pin4
NG9-3 MIU I-Bus – Pin7

Price and Availability

Estimated price for only the gateway unit is:

• 2000 SEK (Inside EU)
• 1600 SEK (Outside EU, without tax).

Adapter and TECH2 harnesses will need to be investigated further on what could be produced and supplied with the gateway unit. Will only be sold directly by esid.se due to the pre-programming needed.

Development of the gateway software will progress during summer and autumn of 2023, and could earliest be available in the end of 2023. I am however looking for early testers already that are located in Sweden, preferable with the 61L tank and/or automatic gearbox.

Customers Support

www.esid.se

References

• eSID.se
• eSID.se

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