installing caravan comp/temp overhead console

[maxrad]

Has anyone out there ever installed a caravan compass/temperature overhead console before?

My '83 did not come equipped with any such accessories so I am attempting the poor-man's method. This is not a plug-and-play, I would have to wire from scratch.

I heard that late '80s to '90s caravans, and clones, operate similiar to stock late model GW's.

I removed a clean one from a '87 caravan (with most of the wiring intact), however, I don't know which wires to use for power.

Were there any sensors that I missed (for outside temp, etc)?

I looked at a service manual at the library and could not find ANY reference for the console or wiring diagram.

I am looking for some kind of help before I fry it with trial and error.

Thanks in advance.

[Joe H.]

There is a temp sensor that lives behind the grill, on the passenger side IIRC (on the Wags, that is). The console is the same in Caravans and GWs. I think the compass is located in the console itself. Sorry, can't help you on wiring it.

[maxrad]

Thanks Joe, that is the kind of good info I need to get my feet wet...

[Allen78J20]

I have pics of the overhead console wiring diagram that I edited so I could put my 89 overhead console into my 78 J20. Go to my site in the signature below and go to wiring diagrams. I also made a rough write up on how I installed mine under the tech section. Hope this helps!

[Zorm]

I thought of doing the overhead console thing to, even found a few minivans with them. went to a stealer ship and got a factory wiring diagram. Then I started to think about my sunvisors. I use them a lot and I figured that if I put the console in, I would loose my visors. Allen, did you keep the stock visiors??

[Joe H.]

Zorm, are the visors different in console and non-console Wags? My console-equipped '91 has visors and they aren't blocked in any way.

[Allen78J20]

I think they are different. I did keep the stock visors that came with the truck. Im not a waggy expert so I wouldnt know, but it would make sense if they were. I didnt realize at the time that I would need them if I wanted to move my visors towards the door(in other words I didnt realize it until I installed the console that I couldnt move them sideways lol). Since I only fold them down anyways, it wasnt important to me to go get them. If you move the visors to block the sun coming thru your door windows enough, then pull em with the console. I have some pics of the console installed with stock visors on the photo page on my site if you want to look at em...

[ October 28, 2002, 12:53 PM: Message edited by: Allen ]

[coolram]

The '89-'91 visors with the overhead console are different.They are shorter than pre'89 visors(This type visor is probably found in all '89-'91GW).They have an integrated vanity mirror in both visors also.You can use the old style visors if you don't turn them to block the side windows.
I have a bracket out of a late '80s Caravan(ended up getting one for the GW) and it's shorter than the GW's bracket but not enough to cause you problems.I
Also Allen I tried sending you the wiring diagrams when you emailed me but they were sent back both times saying bad addy.

[ October 28, 2002, 01:44 PM: Message edited by: coolram ]

[Allen78J20]

Coolram: Thats ok I got it from someone else that I emailed em to. My email addy had changed since then. I appreciate it tho! They are on my site now so I wont loose em again in yet ANOTHER hard drive format extravaganza!

[Evan Atherton]

Joe H,
Being acertified rookie whay does passenger side IIRC mean?
Thanks

[Evan Atherton]

Joe H,
Let me ask you this question again.
Being a non-qualified rookie what does "passenger side IIRC" actually mean.
Thanks, Evan

[Joe H.]

Evan...IIRC = If I Recall Correctly

I'm lazy when it comes to typing!

[tuckers89GW]

I was thinking that the temp sensor is on the drivers side behind the headlight? I gotta to look know. :confused:

[Allen78J20]

Thats right, as you are looking at the headlight on the drivers side, look to the left some(might have to take off the trim ring if I remember right. It will be on a bracket. The bracket is like a clip for it. You can just slide/pry it off.....

[Spectre]

I'm going to bump this - Allen, you said on your page that your display kept flashing CAL at you. Here's a link on how to calibrate the thing (as well as the GW ones, I'd assume)

http://www.robskorner.org/faqs/compass/compass.html