Installation Manual

MAN 650314:J
11
RESERVED (FUEL +)
This output is not typically used. It is a low current +12V supply for powering solid state
fuel sensors. Currently, it does not have an application for any Dakota Digital fuel level sensors.
***This terminal should not be used with a typical resistive type fuel sensor. For
most applications, leave this terminal open. Do not try to power other devices from this
terminal or damage to the control box will occur.
FUEL SND
The fuel gauge sending unit is not normally supplied because the display system can use
the existing fuel sending unit that is already in the tank in many cases. The sending units that are
compatible with this system are as follows: GM, Ford, VDO, and Stewart Warner. It is also
possible to program a custom setting for senders that are not pre-programmed into the system.
Dakota Digital recommends that you run two wires back to the fuel level sensor to insure
proper grounds. Use the FUEL - and FUEL SND terminals and run a twisted pair of wires back
to your fuel level sensor. Connect the FUEL - terminal to the fuel level sensor body or a
mounting screw to insure the sensor is sufficiently grounded. The other wire is the sensor signal
which goes to the FUEL SND terminal.
If your wiring harness already has a single wire routed through the vehicle for the fuel
sender then it may be used. If using a wire from an existing harness, make sure that the wire
does not have power. The fuel sender gets power from the control box only. Fuel senders
reference their ground from the sender mounting plate. Make sure that a ground wire is
connected from one of the sender mounting bolts to the vehicle frame.
The fuel sender type is selected using the fuel setup menu under “SENDER”. The settings
are discussed later in the setup section. Anytime the fuel level is below 10%, the reading will
flash as a warning of low fuel.
The fuel gauge will initially display “E” until the fuel sender type has been set, and a
message will be displayed that says to “set Fuel sender”. If the message display shows “ 
%FUEL” this indicates that the control box is sensing a short to ground or out-of-range error from
the sender or sender wire. If the message display shows “EEE %FUEL” this indicates that the
control box is sensing an open circuit or out-of-range error from the sender. If either indication
remains on the display, inspect the sender wire for damage, check the routing of the sender wire,
check the sending unit grounding, and check that the sender selection is set correctly for the
sending unit that is connected.
FUEL –
This terminal is used to provide a ground connection for the fuel level sensor. Dakota
Digital recommends that you use the FUEL - terminal and run a twisted pair of wires back to your
fuel level sensor. Connect the FUEL - terminal to the fuel level sensor body or a mounting screw
to insure the sensor is sufficiently grounded. One terminal on the sensor is the signal which goes
to the FUEL SND terminal.
***For fuel level sensors that are attached to an electric fuel pump, or if you have an
electric fuel pump in the tank, make sure that the fuel pump is externally grounded to the
vehicle chassis. Attempting to ground the fuel pump to the Dakota Digital control box will
result in erratic operation and damage to the control box.
CRUISE (-)
The CRUISE terminal can be used as a “cruise engaged” indicator. The CRUISE input is
activated by a ground signal from a compatible cruise control harness. Whenever the CRUISE
input is grounded, the system will display a small green “cruise engage” indicator.