I installed the trip computer in my 99 Dakota. It all ready had the console
with map lights and the sunglass, garage door opener compartment but not the
trip computer.
The wiring for the communication bus, switched power and ambient temperature
sensor was not in the head liner. However, empty pin locations in the conectors
under the dash did exist. The harness also not seperate from the other wiring
that runs up under the head liner so it can be purchased seperately. The wiring
from under the dash out to where the ambient temp senor mounts on the core
support was there.
When I picked up my computer I was given the mating connector with about 18" of
the harness. After studing the FSM I decided there were all together to many
wires to splice into that could cause problems down the road. I went back to
the bone yard and found a Dakota that had the trip computer and removed the
complete harness and took the connectors they plugged into. At home I unwrapped
the wires I needed and depoulated the pins from the connectors. Once I routed
this stripped down harness it was just a matter of pluggin the correct pin into
the correct cavity on the correct connector.
If you are not comfortable with wiring schematics I would say don't try. To
find were everything plugged in took close examination of about 10 different
pages in the schmatic section of the FSM.
In the end it all works well and the fuel mileage reading is with in a .1 or .2
on a full tank of gas.
Dave Clement
99 SLT+ CC 4x4
In article <830DB242-0ACF-4621-95FE-05566475FFF2@bellsouth.net>,
jdurling@bellsouth.net (Jeff Durling) writes:
>
>
> It's not easy but it can be done. You can still get the sensor and
> wiring for the ambient temp sensor and to go through the engine bay
> to the cab. After that you just need a factory manual and some time
> and patience. I am in the process of changing out the carpet and
> headliner in my truck so that makes it little easier.
>
> It helps if you get a console with the wiring tail that has been at
> least cut off a few inches from the connector at the console. Gives
> you a place to tap in. In the console wiring is the wiring for the
> auto dimming mirror. If you want to add that you just have to hook it
> up to the correct leads at the console, the power leads that you run
> form the console are setup to not only power the console but also the
> mirror.
>
> Lastly, make sure the console you get comes with the mounting plate.
> This no longer available so with it you are out of luck. You have to
> cut the headliner and slowly work it back until the bracket will fit
> in it's place. The holes for the screws are already there so you just
> need to screw it in. The console screws in to that and if you are
> careful the console covers up all the jagged edges form cutting the
> headliner. I found that this was a good time to just redo the
> headliner since it cleans up the hole in the headliner a little and
> the fabric is also used on the console itself so you can make that
> match perfect.
>
> Last little note, to make the installation easier I looked into
> getting a dash harness for the truck that is specific to having a
> console. In my case it would have been the '96 harness for a sport
> regular cab with the overhead console. This harness actually gives
> the power window and lock hookups for the harnesses for the doors.
> Great idea, right? Actually no. The harness is not that bad to
> install but finding one is near impossible. Since few Gen II dakotas
> came with the console that makes it hard and Chrysler seems to have
> done a no, no in the business and discontinued the part. They did
> that 2 years ago. That parts falls under the 10 year rule they are
> supposed to adhere to but I guess they figured the hell with it. So
> if you can locate one cudos to you but I have had no luck.
>
> Good luck if you do it and let me know if you have any questions. It
> actauly is far easier than it seems except running the wires around.
>
> Jeff Durling
>
> On Jul 26, 2005, at 3:18 PM, JameyWelch@freightliner.com wrote:
>
> >
> > Jeff,
> > What is the process for installing an overhead console in a
> > vehicle
> > that doesn't currently have one? I have always wanted to do this.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
> > [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net]
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2005 2:54 PM
> > To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> > Subject: Re: DML: Continuing code/sensor saga-Ambient Temp Sensor
> >
> >
> >
> > On Jul 26, 2005, at 8:31 AM, menefreghista wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> I replaced a sensor in that location, called the Air Charge Sensor.
> >> But am unable to locate the Ambient Temp Sensor. Going to the dealer
> >> is a great idea, but the charge to hook up the computer is $80+the
> >> parts if I don't pay them to fix it at $76 an hour, all I have spent
> >> so far is $30. If I can locate the last sensor, the only thing
> >> left is
> >> the battery as I have an extra PCM.
> >> Still throws a code #23&37
> >>
> >> --- DML Digest
> >> <owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> > As far as I know the Ambient Air Temp sensor is used only when you
> > have the
> > overhead console. It relays outside air temp to display on the
> > console's
> > display. It is located up in the grill on the passengers side of
> > the truck.
> > That was name of the sensor on the box when I bought it to install an
> > overhead console in my dak. HTH
> >
> > Jeff Durling
> >
> >
> >
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon Aug 01 2005 - 10:56:28 EDT