Cluster Reprogramming for Radio Button upgrade

[2015TahoePPV]

This is a pretty deep and overly complicated question, but I'm hoping someone here has real world experience that they can share.

My 2015 PPV came with no radio controls on the steering wheel. In my research, I've found that all 2018- newer Tahoes came with the wide/ color cluster standard (with radio controls).

My goal is to keep the PPV cluster/ 150MPH speedometer AND have functional radio buttons/ Driver Info Center controls on the steering wheel. I have an aftermarket Alpine Flatscreen radio, with the interface module from Crutchfield.

I have added the wiring pigtail from Phil, a leather factory wheel with the buttons, new clockspring, etc.

I have sourced a 2018 PPV cluster from a salvage yard.

I need to get the cluster programmed to my VIN to avoid any security issues/ display the correct mileage, etc.

The last time I asked WAMS it was too much work, they didn't want to do it, they told me to buy a Denali cluster. I don't want a Denali Cluster, I want the PPV cluster.

Can the dealer reprogram a used cluster with my VIN? Everything I've read said this should work. Does anyone else have any vendor experiences that they've seen work? I'd appreciate any help!

 

[Doubeleive]

This is a pretty deep and overly complicated question, but I'm hoping someone here has real world experience that they can share.

My 2015 PPV came with no radio controls on the steering wheel. In my research, I've found that all 2018- newer Tahoes came with the wide/ color cluster standard (with radio controls).

My goal is to keep the PPV cluster/ 150MPH speedometer AND have functional radio buttons/ Driver Info Center controls on the steering wheel. I have an aftermarket Alpine Flatscreen radio, with the interface module from Crutchfield.

I have added the wiring pigtail from Phil, a leather factory wheel with the buttons, new clockspring, etc.

I have sourced a 2018 PPV cluster from a salvage yard.

I need to get the cluster programmed to my VIN to avoid any security issues/ display the correct mileage, etc.

The last time I asked WAMS it was too much work, they didn't want to do it, they told me to buy a Denali cluster. I don't want a Denali Cluster, I want the PPV cluster.

Can the dealer reprogram a used cluster with my VIN? Everything I've read said this should work. Does anyone else have any vendor experiences that they've seen work? I'd appreciate any help!

I don't know why you couldn't just have the cluster programmed to your vin by any cluster repair shop, but if there is something inherently different firmware wise that might be why wams declined as it is not something commonly done enough to warrant the extra work.
I had not really looked at the ppv clusters for 2015 it looks like one you would have found in a caprice, weird.......

 

[Doubeleive]

I would assume as long you have upgraded the hmi/radio, clockspring and steering wheel then the cluster should a breeze
***edit I see you note alpine and module, does the module allow for complete radio control thru the "most bus"?

 

[2015TahoePPV]

It does, you can program each of the buttons to do custom outputs: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_794ADSMRR/iDatalink-Maestro-RR-Interface-Module.html

Apparently the Denali cluster (and the 18-up) clusters have the extra circuitry to make the radio controls work, you have to run a circuit from the cluster through the radio plug back to the BCM circuit for it to work with an OEM radio, but the Maestro is plugged into the radio with a splice at the BCM connector in the ALDL port.

 

[2015TahoePPV]

Is there a cluster repair shop you've used that I can send this 2018 cluster to for a vin reprogram? I'm assuming that by reprogramming the vin, it allows the mileage to be read from the BCM?

I've seen guys on Youtube plug in the updated clusters and the button functionality works (mileage doesn't display), but that will cause you to risk the security function to lock you out/ brick your truck, which I'm not interested in, lol.

 

[Doubeleive]

It does, you can program each of the buttons to do custom outputs: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_794ADSMRR/iDatalink-Maestro-RR-Interface-Module.html

Apparently the Denali cluster (and the 18-up) clusters have the extra circuitry to make the radio controls work, you have to run a circuit from the cluster through the radio plug back to the BCM circuit for it to work with an OEM radio, but the Maestro is plugged into the radio with a splice at the BCM connector in the ALDL port.

I am familiar with the maestro I have one in 2012 and a ppv cluster in 2012 which I bought new and it came programmed to my vin from the seller.
all plug-n-play on the gmt900. I have messed with the radio a bit on my 18 but not the cluster. I understand how it works and the need to add the circuit for the new cluster/steering wheel (most bus). when you did the programming for the maestro did it ask you for details like which steering wheel controls you had? just wondering as that could be another potential roadblock Idatalink is able to modify programming but not sure how that would all pan out.

 

[2015TahoePPV]

I am familiar with the maestro I have one in 2012 and a ppv cluster in 2012 which I bought new and it came programmed to my vin from the seller.
all plug-n-play on the gmt900. I have messed with the radio a bit on my 18 but not the cluster. I understand how it works and the need to add the circuit for the new cluster/steering wheel (most bus). when you did the programming for the maestro did it ask you for details like which steering wheel controls you had? just wondering as that could be another potential roadblock Idatalink is able to modify programming but not sure how that would all pan out.

There's a menu in the idatalink screen that will tell you if the buttons are working, the radio isn't seeing any of them. I'm certain its because of the MOST BUS being absent. I'm not sure why WAMS didn't want to do it, all of the PPVS should be equipped basically the same, so its not like they'd have to reprogram the magride or anything. I just want the VIN changed in it, maybe reset the hours (since I have a new engine) and be done with it.

 

[Doubeleive]

There's a menu in the idatalink screen that will tell you if the buttons are working, the radio isn't seeing any of them. I'm certain its because of the MOST BUS being absent. I'm not sure why WAMS didn't want to do it, all of the PPVS should be equipped basically the same, so its not like they'd have to reprogram the magride or anything. I just want the VIN changed in it, maybe reset the hours (since I have a new engine) and be done with it.

well sorry I can't be of more help, I would check around locally and see if a speedo shop can program the vin,
when you get that sorted you will likely want to do a reset on the RR so it will see the bus, at 1st power on it detects everything so i am sure a reset will be needed.
you could maybe try reaching out to obd genie and see if any of there products will do it.

 

[2015TahoePPV]

I talked to the local GM dealer, they're "willing to try" programming the used cluster for 2 hrs labor. They want the truck and cluster there at the same time "in case they need assistance from the GM tech center remotely. I'm admittedly ignorant of all of the stuff that they could encounter, but the research I've done says that this should really be a plug and play operation at this stage. They're talking about programming the different features, etc, but that really shouldn't be necessary. Can anyone explain this to me like I'm 10?

 

[Doubeleive]

I talked to the local GM dealer, they're "willing to try" programming the used cluster for 2 hrs labor. They want the truck and cluster there at the same time "in case they need assistance from the GM tech center remotely. I'm admittedly ignorant of all of the stuff that they could encounter, but the research I've done says that this should really be a plug and play operation at this stage. They're talking about programming the different features, etc, but that really shouldn't be necessary. Can anyone explain this to me like I'm 10?

it's possible the bcm may need to be updated as well, the problem in general is you are adding things that did not initially get programmed into the vehicle, so attempting to do a factory programming may result in it not working as intended, that's why they need the vehicle as they may need to request a calibration file from gm, that is like a backdoor way in to make it work.
I think chances are 50/50, for sure report back with what the results are.
the reason I say 50/50 is because gm might not be able to or willing to make it work.
for instance I upgraded my radio to factory nav from onstar nav, I did it initially thru wams, had some issue's so I tried it again myself, I purchased the needed hmi (with factory nav)
and programmed it to my vin with the techline (gm) software, in theory it should have detected my "upgraded" hmi, instead it programmed my factory nav upgraded hmi to onstar nav . That's when I discovered the need for a different calibration file as I noted above regarding why they may need your vehicle to make it work. In order for me to make it work as intended I would need a specific calibration file from gm that they would provide on the techline server. that involves contacting support and requesting the file which may or may not have come at additional cost. They provide these calibration file for specific upgrades that are offered, but not for everything.
I hope that makes sense....