PCS GDS-2000 User manual
Ph: 1.804.227.3023 | www.powertraincontrolsolutions.com
PCS GEAR INDICATOR USER GUIDE v2.1
Page 1 Ph: 804.227.3023
10511 Old Ridge Rd. Ashland, VA 23005
v 2.1
Powertrain Control Solutions
PCS Gear Indicator User Guide
Overview
The PCS GDS-2000 Gear Indicator scans your vehicle’s CAN bus and displays current gear data allowing you to monitor
the actual current gear used by the transmission. The data is displayed on a 5x8 LED dot-matrix display housed in a
rugged plastic enclosure. The LED display brightness automatically adjusts to match surrounding ambient light levels.
The GDS-2000 module automatically enters a low-power standby mode when no activity is detected on your vehicle’s
CAN bus ensuring low battery drain when not in use.
Dimensions
• 1.4”W x 2.0” H
Features
• Displays current gear selected in transmission
• 4 CAN Formats Supported
• PCS TCU “Current Gear” @ 500kbps
• PCS D200 Dashlogger “CGER” @ 500kbps
• GMLAN “Commanded Gear” @ 500kbps
• J1939 SPN-524 “Selected Gear” @ 250kbps
• Autoscans to determine CAN standard used on vehicle. No user setup is required
• 5x8 LED matrix used to display characters P, N, R, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8
• GDS Series (Square): Display brightness automatically adjusts to match ambient light levels
GDR Series (Round): Detects headlight status. If 12V is present on orange wire, display will dim for “Night Mode.”
• Power, Ground, CANH, and CANL are the only neccessary connections.
• Rated for 12V - 24V nominal battery voltage
MAX STANDBY
12V Current Draw 80mA 9mA
24V Current Draw 50mA 8mA
Operation
The GDS-2000 has three modes: Scanning, Display, and Standby.
Scanning Mode
When power is rst applied, the GDS-2000 will scan to determine the CAN standard used on your vehicle. During
“Scanning Mode”, a vertical line will sweep back and forth on the display indicating that the GDS-2000 is actively
scanning the CAN bus. Once the GDS-2000 has determined what CAN standard is used on your vehicle it enters
“Display Mode.” If the GDS-2000 scans for 30 seconds without detecting CAN activity, the unit will stop scanning and
enter “Standby Mode.”
Display Mode
In “Display Mode” the GDS-2000 will interpret the supported CAN messages and display current gear using
characters P, N, R, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. If the supported messages on the CAN bus are no longer detected, the
GDS-2000 will enter “Standby Mode.”
Standby Mode
When power is present but no CAN activity is detected, the GDS-2000 enters “Standby Mode.” The GDS-2000 will
remain in “Standby Mode” until it detects the supported messages on the CAN bus. “Display Mode” will resume when
the CAN messages resume. “Standby Mode” ensures low battery drain for users who operate on constant power
instead of switched power.
PCS Gear Indicator User Guide
Page 2
Ph: 804.227.3023
10511 Old Ridge Rd. Ashland, VA 23005 v 2.1
Installation
The GDS-2000 requires only Power, Ground, CANH and CANL for operation.
Power Connection:
The GDS-2000 is rated for use on 8-36VDC. Power can be constant or switched. If the GDS-2000 is operated on
switched power (Option Connector or Custom Switched-Power Install), it will enter “Scanning Mode” and display the
scanning animation every time the vehicle is keyed on. If the GDS-2000 is operated on constant power (OBDII or Custom
Constant-Power Install), it will enter “Scanning Mode” and display the scanning animation only the rst time power is
applied. After that it will switch between “Display Mode” when CAN activity is detected and “Standby Mode” when
CAN activity is not detected.
CAN Connection:
If the GDS-2000 is added to a vehicle that is already equipped with two or more operational modules on its CAN bus, no
extra steps are necessary. The GDS-2000 can be connected directly to the CAN bus.
If the GDS-2000 is used in a new installation with only one other CAN module, the CAN bus must be terminated with
a 120-ohm resistor. If there is no resistor terminating the bus, errors will be generated and the CAN devices will not
communicate. Powertrain Control Solutions offers a “CAN Master Connection Kit” (part # CON-5500) for users who
need to add a termination resistor to their CAN bus.
Page 3 Ph: 804.227.3023
10511 Old Ridge Rd. Ashland, VA 23005
v 2.1
Powertrain Control Solutions
Wiring
Unterminated Wiring
Option Connector Wiring
OBDII Connector Wiring
C1 GEAR INDICATOR INTERNAL HANRESS
COLOR CIRCUIT FUNCTION
RED POWER
BLACK GROUND
WHITE CAN HIGH
GREEN CAN LOW
*UNTERM. ORANGE DIMMER
C1 GEAR INDICATOR INTERNAL HANRESS
PIN COLOR CIRCUIT FUNCTION TCU POS.
1RED +12V SW
2BLACK GND
3WHITE CAN HIGH
4GREEN CAN LOW
*UNTERM. ORANGE DIMMER
OBDII Connector
PIN COLOR CIRCUIT FUNCION CONNECTS TO
1 NC NC NC
2 NC NC NC
3 NC NC NC
4BLACK GND
5BLACK SIG GND
6 WHITE CAN HIGH
7 NC NC NC
8 NC NC NC
9NC NC NC
10 NC NC NC
11 NC NC NC
12 NC NC NC
13 NC NC NC
14 GREEN CAN LOW
15 NC NC NC
16 RED +12V BATT
*UNTERM. ORANGE DIMMER
*
*
*
*NOTE: The orange wire detects headlight status. If 12V is present on the green wire, display will dim for “Night Mode.” This wire is only present on
GDR series (round) indicators as GDS series (square) indicators automatically adjust to match ambient light levels.
PCS Gear Indicator User Guide
Page 4
Ph: 804.227.3023
10511 Old Ridge Rd. Ashland, VA 23005 v 2.1
Troubleshooting
Here are some of the common problem scenarios. If you encounter trouble beyond what is covered here, please call
1(804)-227-3023 for further assistance.
When I power up my GDS-2000, it scans for 30 seconds and then the screen goes blank. It never enters Display
Mode…”
Suspect trouble with CAN Bus. The GDS-2000 is not detecting the supported CAN messages. Either the messages are
not being transmitted, or the CAN bus itself is disconnected or otherwise not working properly.
“My GDS-2000 keeps going back and forth between Standby Mode and Display Mode…”
Suspect trouble with CAN Bus. Here, power is present, the GDS-2000 has made it through Scanning Mode and identied
the CAN format once. However – the CAN messages are being received by the GDS-2000 intermittently.
Check that the CANH and CANL wires are properly connected.
Check that the CAN bus is properly terminated with a 120-ohm CAN termination resistor.
Check that all CAN devices on the bus are operating at the same speed.
Check that the supported messages are actually being transmitted.
“My GDS-2000 keeps going back and forth between Display Mode and Scanning Mode…”
Suspect trouble with power and ground connections. The GDS-2000 only enters Scanning Mode on power up.
Check that the GDS-2000 power and ground wires are making good connection.
Check harness power and ground wiring that feeds the GDS-2000.
Check battery voltage.
“My GDS-2000 is working, but the screen brightness is too dim…”
Suspect trouble with ambient light sensor located at lower left-hand corner of display.
Check and make sure light sensor is not obscured by objects in front of it.
If necessary, relocate GDS-2000 to an evenly lighted area of dash.
LIMITED WARRANTY STATEMENT. Powertrain Control Solutions, LLC. Warrants all merchandise against defects in factory
workmanship and materials for a period of 12 months after purchase. This warranty applies to the rst retail purchaser and
covers only those products exposed to normal use or service. Provisions of this warranty shall not apply to Powertrain Control
Solutions, LLC. Product used for a purpose for which it is not designed, or which has been altered in any way that would be
detrimental to the performance or life of the product, or misapplication, misuse, negligence or accident. On any part or product
found to be defective after examination by Powertrain Control Solutions, LLC., Powertrain Control Solutions, LLC. will only repair
or replace the merchandise through the original selling dealer or on a direct basis. Powertrain Control Solutions, LLC. assumes
no responsibility for diagnosis, removal and/or installation labor, loss of vehicle use, loss of time, inconvenience or any other
consequential expenses. The warranties herein are in lieu of any other expressed or implied warranties, including any implied
warranty of merchantability or tness, and any other obligation on the part of Powertrain Control Solutions, LLC., or selling dealer.
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