MK1 Onboard Computer upgrade possible?

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My Name: Pimonteiro

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Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2023 9:14 pm
Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
Year: 2003 (03)
Engine Size: 1.1
Fuel Type: Petrol
Mileage: 185000
Trim Level: NA
Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: LHD (Europe)

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Hi! I just recently acquired a C3 1.1 from 2003 and wanted to do some upgrades (as it seems a base model).
The thing I wanted the most would be the onboard computer to work. Based on what I saw online, it's possible to add it to the earlier models, but mine has the small display that only shows the hours and the right lever on the wheel does not have a button (or radio buttons for that matter).
Would I need to change the display to enable the onboard computer (if even possible) or simply changing the lever and updating the car software would suffice?
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My Name: Arfur Dent

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Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
Year: 2002 (52)
Engine Size: 1.4 (16v)
Fuel Type: Diesel
Mileage: 100000
Trim Level: Exclusive
Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: RHD (UK)
Engine name: DV4 16-valve diesel (90 PS)
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Hi

Have you seen this post
You can add an avatar to your account - Avatar or change your vehicle details - Car Bio or even add a signature to your posts - Signature. But this is not all you can do in the User Control Panel :)
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My Name: Ozvtr

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Joined: Wed Jul 10, 2019 3:31 am
Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
Year: 2003 (53)
Engine Size: 1.4 (8v)
Fuel Type: Petrol
Mileage: 80000
Trim Level: Other
Gearbox: Automatic PRND
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: RHD
Engine name: TU3 (75 PS)
Location: Brisbane, Australia.
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Take the cap off the end of the wiper Stalk. There is a small allen key screw holding it on. Look inside and see if there are 4 metal prongs inside.

You will need access to a LEXIA to enable the trip computer functions. If you just change the display you wont get the trip computer functions, however you will get the radio/cd and clock data all at the same time. It's unlikely that you have the wiring for the outside sensor so you wont get the outside temperature , just dashes. :(

LEXIA can program the trip computer to display on the instrument cluster or the center display (you will need the dot matrix display in the center to display info there).

I assume you just have the 'clock'? Pull the clock out and tell us how many wires are on the electrical connector. You need to have 5 wires. If you have 3 wires the type 'B' display wont work.

Try and get a C2 or C3 matrix display (type 'B'). They are already orange. But then again you might like a green C5 center display. :D
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My Name: Pimonteiro

Contributor
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2023 9:14 pm
Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
Year: 2003 (03)
Engine Size: 1.1
Fuel Type: Petrol
Mileage: 185000
Trim Level: NA
Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: LHD (Europe)

Post

Thanks for the feedback, I will look for that info and will update the thread! I'm only commenting now so you don't think I ghosted the post :D
But as you said, for the trip computer, could I just push the info to the central display (having the button to work on the lever) or, if I can't get that lever with button, can I simply push it to the new display that I need to acquire?
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My Name: Pimonteiro

Contributor
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2023 9:14 pm
Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
Year: 2003 (03)
Engine Size: 1.1
Fuel Type: Petrol
Mileage: 185000
Trim Level: NA
Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: LHD (Europe)

Post

Pimonteiro wrote: ↑Wed Mar 01, 2023 1:15 pm Thanks for the feedback, I will look for that info and will update the thread! I'm only commenting now so you don't think I ghosted the post :D
But as you said, for the trip computer, could I just push the info to the central display (having the button to work on the lever) or, if I can't get that lever with button, can I simply push it to the new display that I need to acquire?
Edit: related to the main post, I don't have the factory radio installed (which in turn has a problem of not turning on with the ignition, but that is topic for another time)
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My Name: Pimonteiro

Contributor
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2023 9:14 pm
Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
Year: 2003 (03)
Engine Size: 1.1
Fuel Type: Petrol
Mileage: 185000
Trim Level: NA
Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: LHD (Europe)

Post

Ozvtr wrote: ↑Mon Feb 27, 2023 10:43 am Take the cap off the end of the wiper Stalk. There is a small allen key screw holding it on. Look inside and see if there are 4 metal prongs inside.

You will need access to a LEXIA to enable the trip computer functions. If you just change the display you wont get the trip computer functions, however you will get the radio/cd and clock data all at the same time. It's unlikely that you have the wiring for the outside sensor so you wont get the outside temperature , just dashes. :(

LEXIA can program the trip computer to display on the instrument cluster or the center display (you will need the dot matrix display in the center to display info there).

I assume you just have the 'clock'? Pull the clock out and tell us how many wires are on the electrical connector. You need to have 5 wires. If you have 3 wires the type 'B' display wont work.

Try and get a C2 or C3 matrix display (type 'B'). They are already orange. But then again you might like a green C5 center display. :D
So update on this:

I checked the end of the wiper Stalk and it has 3 metal prongs. I assume it's a bad thing? Here's a photo of it:
WhatsApp Image 2023-03-02 at 20.38.56.jpg

Related to the clock, yes, it's the 'clock', a small almost square display with just a small clock. I checked behind and it has a connector with 4 wires, so also a bad thing?
WhatsApp Image 2023-03-02 at 20.38.57.jpg
What options do I have? If I can choose, I want the simplest, easiest method possible (I will just need to contact a mechanic with access to LEXIA so finalize this task)
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My Name: Ozvtr

Moderator
Posts: 1194
Joined: Wed Jul 10, 2019 3:31 am
Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
Year: 2003 (53)
Engine Size: 1.4 (8v)
Fuel Type: Petrol
Mileage: 80000
Trim Level: Other
Gearbox: Automatic PRND
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: RHD
Engine name: TU3 (75 PS)
Location: Brisbane, Australia.
Has thanked: 59 times
Been thanked: 351 times

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Sorry I guess the connector has 3 pins not 4. Was just working from memory.
I don't know how you would obtain the "radio controls" (the buttons that go on the end of the stalk). I have found just that piece on Ebay from time to time. It may be a case that you might need to buy the whole COMs unit (the unit behind the steering wheel) just to remove that piece to install it on yours!?

That is not the type of connector used by the 'B' type display. So you wont be able to install that display. :cry:

You will still need to get a hold of a LEXIA to enable the trip computer functions but they will only show up on the instrument display.

I am not sure but the remote radio controls might work straight away. Again, not sure.
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My Name: Pimonteiro

Contributor
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2023 9:14 pm
Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
Year: 2003 (03)
Engine Size: 1.1
Fuel Type: Petrol
Mileage: 185000
Trim Level: NA
Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: LHD (Europe)

Post

Ozvtr wrote: ↑Fri Mar 03, 2023 6:17 am Sorry I guess the connector has 3 pins not 4. Was just working from memory.
I don't know how you would obtain the "radio controls" (the buttons that go on the end of the stalk). I have found just that piece on Ebay from time to time. It may be a case that you might need to buy the whole COMs unit (the unit behind the steering wheel) just to remove that piece to install it on yours!?

That is not the type of connector used by the 'B' type display. So you wont be able to install that display. :cry:

You will still need to get a hold of a LEXIA to enable the trip computer functions but they will only show up on the instrument display.

I am not sure but the remote radio controls might work straight away. Again, not sure.
I do have a Burton that can be pushed on the other part of the unit (on the indicators stalk). What is it used for and could it be use for this function? As far as I can tell, clicking it doesn't do anything for me
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User avatar
My Name: Ozvtr

Moderator
Posts: 1194
Joined: Wed Jul 10, 2019 3:31 am
Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
Year: 2003 (53)
Engine Size: 1.4 (8v)
Fuel Type: Petrol
Mileage: 80000
Trim Level: Other
Gearbox: Automatic PRND
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: RHD
Engine name: TU3 (75 PS)
Location: Brisbane, Australia.
Has thanked: 59 times
Been thanked: 351 times

Post

Pimonteiro wrote: ↑Fri Mar 03, 2023 9:22 am I do have a Burton that can be pushed on the other part of the unit (on the indicators stalk). What is it used for and could it be use for this function? As far as I can tell, clicking it doesn't do anything for me
It's used for the auto headlight option. Turns it on and off.
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