Overhead console install. Wiring info and pics, etc.
07-12-2009, 05:47 PM
#1
Overhead console install. Wiring info and pics, etc.
Hey guys... I took the overhead console out of my 87 and installed it into my 86...finally. I also put the mirror from the 87, which is a 4th gen mirror, into the 86. Since my headliner needs to be re-covered, I figured now would be a good time to cut the openings.
I figured Ide post pictures....mainly because Im bored haha. I ran into some wiring confusion...and the diagrams didnt help, and search didnt really help. So maybe this will help someone out.
First, the guide in the tech section is great...for mounting the console. Which I feel is the hardest part. It was a tad lacking in the wiring aspect though. The suggestion for using the ground screw to "thread" the mounting holes was a great suggestion. Worked perfect.
I made a template and made my cuts according to the tech article. The cuts in the template dont have to be to engineering standards... My headliner needs to be recovered, so I wasnt worried about wrinkles or things of that nature. Ill fix it when I re-cover.
Cont...
I figured Ide post pictures....mainly because Im bored haha. I ran into some wiring confusion...and the diagrams didnt help, and search didnt really help. So maybe this will help someone out.
First, the guide in the tech section is great...for mounting the console. Which I feel is the hardest part. It was a tad lacking in the wiring aspect though. The suggestion for using the ground screw to "thread" the mounting holes was a great suggestion. Worked perfect.
I made a template and made my cuts according to the tech article. The cuts in the template dont have to be to engineering standards... My headliner needs to be recovered, so I wasnt worried about wrinkles or things of that nature. Ill fix it when I re-cover.
Cont...
Last edited by ghettocruiser; 07-12-2009 at 05:57 PM.
07-12-2009, 05:55 PM
#3
Re: Overhead console install. Wiring info and pics, etc.
Wiring.
My 86 had two wires for the dome light. Both white. No stripe, no marks or anything. And the way it wired up, wasnt how I would have assumed. With the doors shut and the lights off...one of the white wires will have 12v. The other, nothing. So...my common sense said this must be the orange hook up. Wrong. When you turn the lights on, the +12v switches to the other wire, and it confused the heck out of me.
So, the way I wired it was: With everything off, the wire with 12v gets hooked to the WHITE wire on the overhead console harness. The other white wire, goes to the orange wire in the console harness. And then you ground the black wire up in the roof bracing. There was no ground screw up there....I used the one from my 87.
My test connections.
Everything works as it should.
These mirror lights come on with all the other interior lights, or you can switch them on independently whenever you want.
Thats it. It was pretty easy. Cutting the headliner was a mess...my foam backing was nothing but dust. Im going to replace the pocket with a new one, and Im toying with the idea of replacing all of the bulbs with custom LED clusters so the interior lighting is super bright. We'll see...time and money always dictate the small projects like that.
J.
My 86 had two wires for the dome light. Both white. No stripe, no marks or anything. And the way it wired up, wasnt how I would have assumed. With the doors shut and the lights off...one of the white wires will have 12v. The other, nothing. So...my common sense said this must be the orange hook up. Wrong. When you turn the lights on, the +12v switches to the other wire, and it confused the heck out of me.
So, the way I wired it was: With everything off, the wire with 12v gets hooked to the WHITE wire on the overhead console harness. The other white wire, goes to the orange wire in the console harness. And then you ground the black wire up in the roof bracing. There was no ground screw up there....I used the one from my 87.
My test connections.
Everything works as it should.
These mirror lights come on with all the other interior lights, or you can switch them on independently whenever you want.
Thats it. It was pretty easy. Cutting the headliner was a mess...my foam backing was nothing but dust. Im going to replace the pocket with a new one, and Im toying with the idea of replacing all of the bulbs with custom LED clusters so the interior lighting is super bright. We'll see...time and money always dictate the small projects like that.
J.
Last edited by ghettocruiser; 07-12-2009 at 06:00 PM.
07-13-2009, 03:36 AM
#6
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Re: Overhead console install. Wiring info and pics, etc.
Nice work, what sort of price do the overhead consoles bring? I wouldn't mind one for my GTA
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07-13-2009, 12:38 PM
#8
Re: Overhead console install. Wiring info and pics, etc.
Thanks guys. The console was original in my 87...and I always sort of liked them. I did enjoy the clean headliner look without it too, but since I wanted to wire in the mirror lights and all, why not. Plus the little "Firebird" flashlight is just plain neat.
As much as Ide like to keep it nice and original, part of me wants to knock out those little event wheels and put something useful in there. Ide like to retro fit a temp/compass display in there maybe.
Now I just need to gather up the supplies to re-do the headliner.
As much as Ide like to keep it nice and original, part of me wants to knock out those little event wheels and put something useful in there. Ide like to retro fit a temp/compass display in there maybe.
Now I just need to gather up the supplies to re-do the headliner.
07-15-2009, 06:47 AM
#10
Re: Overhead console install. Wiring info and pics, etc.
T-top, remove the screws..., then push the console toward the windshield.
Remove wiring at the connector.
Van454,
I wouldn't consider an overhead unless it's complete. Missing parts can be difficult to find.
JamesC
07-15-2009, 11:29 AM
#12
Re: Overhead console install. Wiring info and pics, etc.
Haha thats the best part.....
Ive seen them pop up here and there. Im just glad mine is in one piece and work. I dont leave a battery in it though because it just corrodes and screws up the contacts...but its nice to know it'd work if I wanted haha.
J.
Ive seen them pop up here and there. Im just glad mine is in one piece and work. I dont leave a battery in it though because it just corrodes and screws up the contacts...but its nice to know it'd work if I wanted haha.
J.
07-15-2009, 04:29 PM
#14
Re: Overhead console install. Wiring info and pics, etc.
The flashlight in my console decided to crap out on me one day. So I took it apart and cleaned all the connectors with my dremmel tool and brush then put in a bulb i picked up at Radio Shack. Works great now.
07-15-2009, 06:38 PM
#17
Re: Overhead console install. Wiring info and pics, etc.
Yeah Ha Ha! I'm not too broken up about the flashlight. I can probably buy one, but not worth it. It doesn't seem as though anything is missing anyway. It would probably fall on my head after a quick stop.
07-15-2009, 06:43 PM
#18
Re: Overhead console install. Wiring info and pics, etc.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...-continue.html
JamesC
07-15-2009, 09:08 PM
#20
Re: Overhead console install. Wiring info and pics, etc.
JamesC
09-20-2021, 11:25 PM
#24
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Re: Overhead console install. Wiring info and pics, etc.
Wiring.
My 86 had two wires for the dome light. Both white. No stripe, no marks or anything. And the way it wired up, wasnt how I would have assumed. With the doors shut and the lights off...one of the white wires will have 12v. The other, nothing. So...my common sense said this must be the orange hook up. Wrong. When you turn the lights on, the +12v switches to the other wire, and it confused the heck out of me.
So, the way I wired it was: With everything off, the wire with 12v gets hooked to the WHITE wire on the overhead console harness. The other white wire, goes to the orange wire in the console harness. And then you ground the black wire up in the roof bracing. There was no ground screw up there....I used the one from my 87.
My test connections.
Attachment 429261
Everything works as it should.
Attachment 429262
These mirror lights come on with all the other interior lights, or you can switch them on independently whenever you want.
Attachment 429263
Thats it. It was pretty easy. Cutting the headliner was a mess...my foam backing was nothing but dust. Im going to replace the pocket with a new one, and Im toying with the idea of replacing all of the bulbs with custom LED clusters so the interior lighting is super bright. We'll see...time and money always dictate the small projects like that.
J.
My 86 had two wires for the dome light. Both white. No stripe, no marks or anything. And the way it wired up, wasnt how I would have assumed. With the doors shut and the lights off...one of the white wires will have 12v. The other, nothing. So...my common sense said this must be the orange hook up. Wrong. When you turn the lights on, the +12v switches to the other wire, and it confused the heck out of me.
So, the way I wired it was: With everything off, the wire with 12v gets hooked to the WHITE wire on the overhead console harness. The other white wire, goes to the orange wire in the console harness. And then you ground the black wire up in the roof bracing. There was no ground screw up there....I used the one from my 87.
My test connections.
Attachment 429261
Everything works as it should.
Attachment 429262
These mirror lights come on with all the other interior lights, or you can switch them on independently whenever you want.
Attachment 429263
Thats it. It was pretty easy. Cutting the headliner was a mess...my foam backing was nothing but dust. Im going to replace the pocket with a new one, and Im toying with the idea of replacing all of the bulbs with custom LED clusters so the interior lighting is super bright. We'll see...time and money always dictate the small projects like that.
J.
07-03-2023, 07:26 PM
#25
Re: Overhead console install. Wiring info and pics, etc.
Thanks guys. The console was original in my 87...and I always sort of liked them. I did enjoy the clean headliner look without it too, but since I wanted to wire in the mirror lights and all, why not. Plus the little "Firebird" flashlight is just plain neat.
As much as Ide like to keep it nice and original, part of me wants to knock out those little event wheels and put something useful in there. Ide like to retro fit a temp/compass display in there maybe.
Now I just need to gather up the supplies to re-do the headliner.
As much as Ide like to keep it nice and original, part of me wants to knock out those little event wheels and put something useful in there. Ide like to retro fit a temp/compass display in there maybe.
Now I just need to gather up the supplies to re-do the headliner.
Removed rollers and installed display for reverse parking sensor perfect place to mount as it is easy to view above rearview mirror when backing up
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